RE: Mazda MX-5 GT road car concept

[pagani1]

It's at least 2 years to the new RX-7 if ever Mazda gird up their loins and build it, so come on Hiroshima give us some fireworks from a Mazda. I preferred the look of the Miata Spider Rod Millen was punting around in California some years ago.
The last exciting Mazda I ever had was this in 1985 an Elford Engineering twin turbo wankel RX-7

[pagani1]

Mazda gave it a full factory warranty from new as well.

[thewheelman]

richb77 said:

thewheelman said:

ZesPak said:

thewheelman said:

richb77 said:

I REALLY like this. Shame i cant get into one

Why can't you get in one?

Length?
I had a friend who always wanted one, but couldn't properly fit into one without opening the roof.

I'm 6'3" & fit in them with no discomfort, ok I can't fully straighten my legs...........but that's the same with many cars.

Well i am 6ft 5in and used to play rugby (getting the image?).

I sat in one once (a late Mk1) and can understand the appeal except i could'nt drive it... Having to peer over the windscreen and the tiny (10") steering wheel jammed into the family jewels meant I couldn't operate the pedals or reach the key!

Ahhh, now the MK 1 I don't fit in atall, you have a couple of inches on me in height, I'd guess a similar build. Yet the MK2 & MK3 I can fit in.

[GravelBen]

I'm not convinced by the looks, but would quite happily drive it all the same!

[Gorbyrev]

suffolk009 said:

Caterham claim 263bhp from their Duratec. Presumably the same engine? Guessing there's more to come...

If I remember rightly that engine makes up £16K of the R500's ticket price. There would be volume savings but that is a special powerplant. Do correct me if I'm wrong!
Fab car by the way - Mazda need an MX-5 that exploits the available potential.

[Greg_D]

Gorbyrev said:

suffolk009 said:

Caterham claim 263bhp from their Duratec. Presumably the same engine? Guessing there's more to come...

If I remember rightly that engine makes up £16K of the R500's ticket price. There would be volume savings but that is a special powerplant. Do correct me if I'm wrong!
Fab car by the way - Mazda need an MX-5 that exploits the available potential.

http://www.burtonpower.com/parts-by-category/engine-components/complete-engines/20001727.html

£11.5 for 280. Complete, brand new crate engine

[reckless928s]

I really really really hope this will be mass produced because, I WANT ONE!!!!

[BigTom85]

The problem with the MX5 is the ECU, can't just go standalone as it messes up other systems AIUI.

[JLJ11]

i did my SCCA training with Skip Barber spec Mx-5's in the US. Was crazy fun and im sure they had a lot less than 200bhp. Made me look at those cars totaly differently and with much more respect. Not saying 200+ bhp wouldnt be good, just always will be amazed at how good they are vs my previous misconceptions. Same can be said for my E30 M3. Would more power be good? yep. Is it needed? nope.

[greggy50]

Hate the GT86 but really like this will probably be a similar price but being an mx5 more chance of getting money off.
Also bring the benefits of the fact its a convertible, will probably be lighter and is also far better looking with modifications such as superchargers already on the market if introduced think could steal a vast majority of BRZ/GT86 sales especially if it undercuts them...

[Lacoste_mic]

Been working at the Goodwood FOS build up the last 3 days & it drove pass me on it way to the stand ( Very ,Very nice saw this in the flesh .... ), One stand to go to is the startech stand ( some very nice motors on that).

[bakerjuk]

I can't help but think it would be better if they had stuck a 3.0 straight 6 block in and made the power around 260-280bhp. Maybe even a rotary from the RX8 would have been more appropriate and call it the RX5.

205bhp is better than normal, but its not enough to make it "special", and a 2.0 will still sound like a 2.0.

[GravelBen]

bakerjuk said:

I can't help but think it would be better if they had stuck a 3.0 straight 6 block in

I don't imagine it would do much for the handling though! Would also be a far more expensive exercise than tweaking the existing drivetrain, even if someone was currently making a suitable straight-6.

[rotarymazda]

bakerjuk said:

I can't help but think it would be better if they had stuck a 3.0 straight 6 block in and made the power around 260-280bhp. Maybe even a rotary from the RX8 would have been more appropriate and call it the RX5.

That's what I did. 6-port RX8 engine in a Mk1 MX5. Currently just over 230bhp, going back for porting and new exhaust design next winter. WGT Developments built mine, their most recent engine is now at 260bhp with exhaust improvements, it will be interesting to see the effect of porting since other engine builders have got another 10% out of the rotary lump.

Just don't ask about mpg

[Greg_D]

rotarymazda said:

bakerjuk said:

Just don't ask about mpg

what's the mpg like?

[rotarymazda]

Greg_D said:

what's the mpg like?

Great when the engine is off and I'm coasting downhill

Otherwise, I'm lucky to see 20mpg for my short commute. I still have more tuning to do since it's running up to 20% too rich at low loads. I think 25mpg should be viable on a run.

[bakerjuk]

25mpg from a rotary?? you're not driving properly ;-)

[jeffw]

BigTom85 said:

The problem with the MX5 is the ECU, can't just go standalone as it messes up other systems AIUI.

I suggest you look under the bonnet of the Goodwood car, you maybe surprised what you see wrt ECU.

[jeffw]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/goodwood-festival-s...

[ambuletz]

Here is video footage of it being driven at Goodwood FoS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gag2yXBAZv4