Tuesday 26th November 2013

BBR MX-5 GT270 launched

The BBR MX-5 turbo returns, with 270hp and a very clever ECU

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If there was one criticism of the Jota MX-5 GT launched last month, it was that it rather lacked a bit of oomph when compared to its £30K rivals. We knew from the Concept GT that it was a lovely thing to drive, but the nagging doubt around 'just' 200hp remained.

BBR's work under here quite subtle

So enter BBR, back with another turbo MX-5 and 270hp for the same £29,995 as the Jota car. Another GT-monikered MX-5, the GT270 promises 'performance, driveability and refinement' with a raft of tweaks under the bonnet.

A BBR Garrett GT ball bearing turbo running at 7psi is primarily responsible for the 112hp power gain (torque is up from 139lb ft to 227lb ft as well) but there are a host of other changes too; an aluminium intercooler, a BBR/Exedy uprated clutch and high flow Bosch injectors are all included.

But perhaps most interesting of all the mods is the BBR calibrated EcuTek ProEcu, err, engine control unit. It allows the engine to run in four different modes depending on driver preference. Mode One is for everyday use and 98 octane fuel , Mode Three is a 95 octane 'cruise map' and Mode Four is a 'Valet mode' which, in BBR's words, is a 'security mode to prevent unwanted third party driver abuse'.

It's been a while, but we're glad to see it back

Mode Two is the exciting one though, designed for 'pure no-compromise circuit driving'. It has a launch control function set at 3,800rpm, an auto downshift blip above 3,500rpm and a full throttle upshift function at over 40 per cent throttle.

Out on circuit, the GT270's 228hp per ton should make it swift enough. BBR is claiming a 4.9-second 0-60mph time, a 150mph top speed and significant improvements in gear thanks to 200lb ft of torque being available from 3,000 to 7,000rpm.

And don't think BBR has overlooked dynamics in the pursuit of outright power though. On the options list is a suspension upgrade using Koni dampers and BBR's own springs plus a brake package including EBC pads and upgraded brake lines. If you need even more power, a BBR performance exhaust promises 306hp and 254lb ft, as well as being quiet enough for all track days.

BBR will make just 100 GT270s so you need to be fast. The cars are available direct from BBR in Brackley or at the MKG3000 Mazda dealer in Twickenham. Which is about two miles from the PH office...

[davidsc]

Finally!

[SunDiver]

Sounds great!

A number of years ago I had a Mk1 MX-5, running a FM Turbo. It saw various states of tune over the years ending up around the sorts of figure this new BBR offering is at.

Since then I've been lucky enough to own an array of interesting cars, such as Cayman S, NA and Turbo 911s, S4s and RS4s.

That MX-5 remains the most *fun* car I ever had. And not one thing went wrong on it, even after I more than doubled its power.

Would love one of these.

[Podie]

Now that sounds like fun.

[bencollins]

Bet that is a nice car to own, great practical hard top roof, decent boot, brilliant to drive.
The bloke in the pic though is gonna catch a cold.

Edited by bencollins on Tuesday 26th November 11:31

[exceed]

Is it me, or is this too far down the models lifeline to actually matter?

Would love one though, but feel like I'd feel a bit silly.

[FWDRacer]

Saw a bloke with his Mk2 parked against a lamp post, up a kerb facing against the flow of traffic on the exit of roundabout scratching his noggin last night.

With this car it probably would have happened sooner in the journey

[steveb8189]

Looks great and I'm sure would be good fun.

36 bhp with just a performance exhaust.. That's the sort of claims the McDonnalds crew make! Must be severly held back by the standard one

[Agent Orange]

Awaits first post of "You can get that power for £3000 from blah blah US website"....

[lewisf182]

I still don't understand why Mazda didn't do this themselves. Wonder whether they could have fitted in the 2.3T from the MPS?

£30k seems a decent price though tbh. Be interesting what happens to used values.

[Al U]

Much want.

[melvster]

Not really an MX5 fan but that looks fantastic; 30k is steep despite the upgrades. Interesting to see if they plumet in value (hope they do )

[rtz62]

The only thing that prevented me giving this 10 on the PH O'Meter is the cost; although I guess that this will reignite readers interest in older BBR conversions....

[hornetrider]

Awesome.

[VladD]

Fantastic work by BBR. That looks like a heap of fun. Got to love cheeky turbo conversions.

[dlockhart]

this will worry a few porsches at a track day (but not the turbo and gt3s). Pretty good for 30k

[Johnnytheboy]

As ever, the question is why Mazda never do something like this?

[MiseryStreak]

Great stuff. You can keep the throttle blipping shenanigans though.

Maybe BBR will make enough money from this to invest a couple of quid in their website? It think it was designed while Tim Berners-Lee was still at primary school.

http://www.bbrgti.com/

[Andy ap]

Whatever happened to the right pedal for faster and the middle pedal for slower?

[MiseryStreak]

Andy ap said:

Whatever happened to the right pedal for faster and the middle pedal for slower?

Well, at least it has that middle pedal, it has become the left pedal on many so called sports cars...

[Kozy]

Johnnytheboy said:

As ever, the question is why Mazda never do something like this?

Because it wouldn't sell well enough to warrant the expense. Obviously.