Test drive Mazda MX-5 (MIATA) since 2008 convertible
Test drive Mazda MX-5: Expertise
20 years on the conveyor, more than 850 thousand copies, 3 generations of the model, the record of the Ginnesa Book - Rogster Mazda MX -5 has long become the hallmark of the Japanese company.
It is this model that bestly represents the philosophy of Mazda, the main postulates of which are a bright rapid design, as well as sports and gambling. To feel all the charms of her relatives Mazda invited us to Crimea.
At the end of 2008, when the legendary Rodster was hit for 20 years, Mazda introduced the updated version of the third-generation MX-5. Why in Russia this model was shown only now? Everything is very simple. First, the plans confused the notorious crisis. Well, then Mazda marketer simply did not dare to derive the class not under the season, especially since in Russia the share of convertibles and relatives is negligible. As a result, the updated MX-5 to us, although late, arrived, and, as it later turned out, not in vain!
The Mazda MX -5 has not changed much: the new bumper, the radiator grille, the thresholds, the rear lights, the trimming trims and two new colors - Aluminium Metallic and Metropolitan Grey Mica (in the photo).
Outwardly, the class has not changed much. It just so happened in the automobile world that during restyling, bumper and optics are changing. MX-5 was no exception. A modified radiator grille, new thresholds, as well as two new colors were added to the above details.
You sit inside and immediately drown in the arms of the lateral support of the RECARO hard seats, decorated with skin and alcantara (option for configuration Comfort). The landing is excellent. Ergonomics at a height. Everything is in place, everything is at hand. Only the longitudinal adjustment of the steering column is missing. Instead of a brand that leaves the fingerprints of a brilliant lining on the front panel, a dark silver bar appeared. The dashboard received improved graphics, and the climate installation regulators were decorated with noble silver edges. In the center of the tidy, there is still a tribute pressure indicator to the traditions.
Despite the sports orientation, the Mazda MX-5 is equipped with all the benefits of civilization. Depending on the configuration, the Rogster may have xenon headlights, the BOSE audio system, climate control, five-level heating of the seats, cruise control, as well as skin-covered steers and gearbox handle.
All test cars were equipped with a slightly modernized 2.0-liter atmospheric gasoline engine with a capacity of 160 hp. Maximum speeds were increased to 7000 (for the version with the manual transmission). A more noble sound of the motor owe to finalize the inventure and release systems, and the new crankshaft and valve springs are designed to reduce vibration at maximum speeds.
Mazda MX -5 business card - perfect axes weighting, rear -wheel drive, small mass and low center of gravity. As a result, Roadster holds a straight line perfectly and demonstrates clear reactions in the bend.
The beginning of the test. And immediately from the place to the quarry! Mazda representative office organized a real rally for journalists. The first test kilometers in the Crimea became truly combat. One of the stages of the Yalta rally is a 2 -kilometer section of the mountain serpentine, a lot of high -speed turns, two studs of 180 degrees each. Is this not ideal conditions for testing a sports relatives!
Already at the beginning of the test, a pleasant surprise awaited us. The Mazda representative office, with the support of the Federation of Motorsport of Ukraine, made a real rally for journalists.
The rear-wheel drive layout, the ideal hanging on the axes of 50:50 and the mass of only 1150 kg already in the first turns, the Mazda MX-5 turns its sports genes inside out. Exact responses to turn the steering wheel, minimum rolls one by one, a popped relative overcomes a turn behind a turn, injecting the next portion of adrenaline into the blood of passengers. Michelin Pilot Exalto tires with a dimension of 205/45 R17 tenaciously holding an already ideal asphalt of the Crimean serpentine for a long time.
The front suspension with double transverse levers received another position of ball supports, which reduced the height of the axis of the roll. The back multi -link was finalized in order to reduce the level of noise transmitted to the salon.
Raising and lowering the hard roof takes only 12 seconds.
After the first turns, Mazda pleases with its suppleness. Clear reactions to steering wheel turns, a lightning -otic response to gas, short passages of a lever of 6-speed mechanics, she really knows how to enjoy the driver. Turns are held like clockwork. He played a little on the turn - and Mazda goes into the gambling sliding with the rear axle, leaving a flat strip from the tires on the hot Crimean asphalt.
No wonder the Mazdovites chose the Crimea presentation with the presentation. Mountain serpentines with a lot of turns are the real element of a light relative.
Excellent ergonomics deserves criticism only for the lack of longitudinal adjustment of the steering column.
160 hp Under the hood is enough for one or two. Do you want to go calmly? No problem. Roadster can be quite comfortable. The steering wheel does not annoy with picture sharpness, and the suspension tolerates small pits and asphalt joints tolerately. We open the lock on the roof, press the appropriate key, 12 seconds and a clear sky above the heads of drivers - in this classification, the Mazda MX -5 record holder among your own kind. You roll yourself on the embankment with an open top, catch the enthusiastic looks of passers -by, and the ears caress the seven columns of the Bose audio system. Bliss!
The engine line for MX-5 includes a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 126 hp inherited from the previous model. and a 160-horsepower MZR unit with a volume of 2.0 liters. A more powerful engine can aggregate both with a 6-speed ICRC and with a 6-speed Aisin automatic machine, which became the reason for the presentation.
Need to light? Yes please! The engine comes to life after 4,500 rpm and cheerfully lucky up to the maximum 7 thousand, pushing the driver with a juicy motor of the motor, which increases in unison with the arrow of the tachometer.
Meanwhile, the main reason for the presentation in Crimea was the appearance of a version of Mazda MX-5 on the Russian market with an automatic transmission. As the MAZDA Motor Rus marketing director Andrey Glazkov noted during the presentation of MX-5, now the MX-5 should like the girls. Indeed, despite the stylish feminine appearance, the MX-5 has always been considered a purely male car.
Perfectly configured automatic transmission quickly clicks with transmissions, knows how to adapt to the driving style and even slows down the engine, if necessary, moving to a reduced step.
The 6-speed automatic transmission is perfect. The machine adapts to the driver’s action, taking into account the intensity of acceleration and the activity of the steering wheel. If necessary, the box holds increased, and responds with the engine in braking, independently smoothing the lowered step. For advanced users there is a manual mode, but adequate and fast automation work makes it just a tribute to fashion.
The hard chairs of Recaro tenaciously hold passengers with their hospitable lateral support. In the center of the dashboard, an oil pressure indicator has already been traditional for the MX-5. The 6-speed manual gearbox has excellent selectivity and in sporting short moves.
In addition to its sports habits, the Mazda MX-5 is equipped with everything necessary for everyday life. Depending on the configuration, the Rogster can be equipped with xenon headlights, an audio system Bose (for the Sport version), heating seats and climate control.
The base cost of the Mazda MX-5 with a 1.8-liter engine is 1,061,126 rubles. The SPORT version with manual transmission, combined salon (skin+Alcantara), self -locking differential, more rigid shock absorbers and Bose audio system costs 1,235,738 rubles. Roadster with a machine gun, but without sports lotions, a little more expensive - 1,235,000 rubles.
Salon Mazda MX -5 is a real cockpit for two.
Jinba ittai unity of the horse and the horseman. It was this Japanese philosophy that Mazda engineers took as the basis when they began to construct the MX-5 Roadster. The result was not long in coming. Ginnes entering the book of records (as the best -selling class), a lot of fans around the world, stylish recognizable design, excellent handling, affordable price and actual absence of competitors. Over the two decades of its existence, the Mazda MX-5 has established new heights, which to this day have remained not won. Keep it up!
The first-generation premiere Mazda MX-5 took place on February 9, 1989 in Chicago. The 955-kilogram class with a 1.6-liter engine accelerated to hundreds in 8.8 seconds, and the maximum speed reached 195 km/h. Excellent controllability was facilitated by the ideal hanging along the axes and a double -leaf suspension of all the wheels. After restyling in 1994, the car received a 1.8-liter engine with a capacity of 131 hp. As a result, acceleration to 100 km/h was 8.0 seconds. ABS and a 4-speed automatic gearbox appeared in the option list.
The second generation of Mazda MX-5 saw the light in 1997 at the auto show in Tokyo. Roadster increased in size, received a more advanced equipment and gained in weight. A 1.6-liter engine issued 110 hp, and a 1.8-liter engine assisted up to 140 hp. In the suspension, the reptile stabilizers were used, increased the track, and a self -locking differential appeared in the rear bridge. In 2001, the front headlights, rear lights and the instrument panel were subjected to refinement. On the 15th anniversary of the MX-5 in 2004, a racing modification of the Rodster with a 146-horsepower 1.8-liter engine and a sports suspension was released.
Third -generation's debut was held as part of the auto show in Geneva in 2005. A 2.0-liter unit with a capacity of 160 hp appeared in the line of the engines, and the good old engine with a volume of 1.8 liters was deformed up to 126 hp. Despite the fact that the new generation added in size, the mass increased by only 10 kg. This effect was achieved through the strategic struggle of Japanese engineers for each gram of excess weight. The rigidity of the torsion body increased by 47%, and the basic equipment for most markets included side airbags and stabilization system (DSC). In 2006, a version of Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe with a folding hard top appeared.
Ruslan Galimov
pros
excellent handling
the identity of the model
Minuses
lack of longitudinal rudder adjustment
The price of the tested car is from 1 061 126 rubles
A source: Carclub.ru
