Test drive Mazda MX-5 (MIATA) since 2008 convertible
Unity
Roadster MX-5 was created for everyday drive and in order to make the driver constantly feel the whole with the car. The last year brought a lot of new open cars from the budget segment, which were built almost under a carbon copy. Repeating the idea of \u200b\u200bthe Peugeot 307 CC, the Volkswagen Eos, Opel Astra Twintop, as well as the Gemini brothers, Volvo C70 and Ford Focus, was simultaneously exposed in the golf class. A little more and the release of the coupe-cabiolets will be engaged in Koreans and Chinese ...
Meanwhile, the technologically advanced Japanese are not very in a hurry to the market of the Cabiolet coupe, not yet a single open model based on golf-class machines is produced. But independent models like Mazda MX-5 flourish, which has recently transformed in the third generation and since 2002 is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most popular class in the world: more than 800,000 copies of this machine have been sold.
Despite Japanese origin, England was and remains the main market for MX-5. Despite the humid and not the most sunny climate, the British were famous for large lovers of open cars, especially classic relatives. Actually, the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating MX-5 belongs to the British. The development of the first generation MH-5 was engaged in the engineering company Lotus, but in the late 80s. The energy crisis did not allow the car to start production, and the prototype was sold to the Japanese. In those years, Mazda dominated the Japanese manufacturers in Europe, the 626 family, the predecessor of Mazda6, became the best -selling imported car in Germany for several years in a row. And the release of the Rodster, developed according to the best European canons, but collected by painstaking Japanese hands, turned out to be very useful. MX-5 both then and now there are practically no competitors. The latest generation class was built on a shortened chassis of the legendary rotary sport of the RX-8, and thanks to a modest motor, it costs quite moderate money. In terms of engine power, Mazda is inferior to eminent rivals from a large German three, but Mazda’s price is much lower.
When creating MX-5, moderate and conservative British set a goal to create a car, primarily pleasant in management. There is no need to participate in the races or to prove his own superiority on it: it was created for everyday drive and in order to make the driver constantly feel the whole with the car. The Japanese call this the philosophy of Jinba Ittai, that is, the unity of the rider and horse, which fully reflects the ideology of MX-5 of all three generations. Roadster was originally created under a modest 4-cylinder motors with a volume of up to 2 liters. At the same time, no one tried to squeeze all the juices out of them: 160 hp. This is the most powerful version, and according to passport dynamic characteristics, it will not excite the imagination. But the engine is placed within the wheelbase, and with a self -locking rear differential, the gearbox is connected by a powerful pipe that protects the cardan shaft and creates a semblance of a ridge frame. Add to this classic two -leaf aluminum pendants in front and back and a sports car for every day is ready. Adds stability machine a low center of gravity. As a result, the Rodister’s pendant turned out to be an energy -intensive, collected and not at all shaking engineers did not have to clamp it much, since the brolkens did not threaten the low relative.
Landing in MX -5, although the low seat is not adjusted in height and the fifth point is only slightly higher than the floor - and the windshield still cannot be well protected by the driving from the wind. With the growth of the driver 180 cm, his crown is almost at the level of the glass frame, and the wind is mercilessly awe of the hair. It is interesting what the basketball players will probably have to look on top of the glass or ride reclining. Before buying MX-5, I strongly recommend trying on the machine with particular thoroughness of the adjustment range is small. Already at the time of touching the place, Rostster makes a revolution in the usual perception of cars. It seems that the power is modest, and the suspension is not a dentist, but MX-5 goes simply great. The pedals are moderately hard and perfectly inform the driver about everything that happens to the machine. And the steering wheel is completely transparent completely transparent in his hands and may seem heavy, but this is only before the first turn. The reactions are piercing and at the same time devoid of nervousness. The driver fully controls the car even with the stabilization system disconnected, but MX-5 is always ready to forgive many mistakes.
The engine, as expected, is sufficient, but without excess. He honestly gives his 160 horses and is distinguished by a flat thrust with a slight revival after 3000 rpm. But he does not give the greatest pleasure, but a 6 -speed mechanics - a short lever, like a shutter. At any revolutions and in any sequence of transmission are turned on accurately and clearly. The main thing when crossing with the fifth is not to confuse the sixth with the fourth. The soundtrack of the motor turned out to be very fresh, it is difficult to expect more from the in -line four behind a real rumble to be opposed or V8. The salon at the first glance also did not hit the imagination: simple scale scales with zero marks below are already familiar with Mazda3, and an additional pointer of oil pressure is only a useless accessory:
it is difficult to believe that the Japanese motor may have problems. In addition, if it happened on MX-5, it is unlikely that the time will peer into the devices. But it is immediately clear that we are in the salon of a real relatives, and not an open version of the hatchback. So that you can enjoy the open ride even in cool weather, MX-5 has special trunks of blowing. As a result, having chosen the position in the legs, knees and hands, you can envelop yourself with warmth, and send your head to ventilate the running air flow of such comfort, perhaps there is no open car. Under the roof, alas, it is not so interesting: made from the composite, it practically does not protect against noise, and the hard plastic upholstery is in frightening proximity to the head of the bump, and there will be a bump. Yes, for $ 40,000, which costs Mazda MX-5, you can choose a scattering of more practical 4-seater coupe-cabilets with a large trunk and a close power engine. Here is Volkswagen EOS, and Opel Astra Twintop, and, of course, Peugeot 307 CC. However, none of the car manufacturers for this money will offer a real sports roadster in the classic layout with a correctly configured suspension and excellent handling. Mazda is again out of competition. By the way, for 35,000 you can purchase a simpler version of MX-5 with a 1.8-liter engine.
Text: Leonid Pavlov
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Classic layout
Suspension and handling
Heating system
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Limited supply of adjustments
Lack of comfort when driving with a roof
Little trunk
The price of the tested car is $ 39 900
Complete the test of the tested car
Frontary airbags
Side airbags
Inflatable curtains
Abs
Anti -boom system
The system of dynamic stabilization
Steering amplifier
Multifunctional steering wheel
Adjustable steering column in height
Steering wheel decoration with leather
Salon decoration with leather
Electric heating of the front seats
Remote Central Castle
Air conditioner
Climate control mono
Electric drive and heating of external mirrors
Electr -glass lifts are front
CD-audio system
CD changer
Trip computer
Fog lights
headlight washer
Alloy wheels
Coloring metallic
Xenon headlights
Specifications
Body
Type of body 2-door relatives with a hard roof
The number of places 2
Trunk volume, l 150
Equipped mass, kg 1192
Full mass, kg 1365
Length, mm 3995
Width, mm 1720
Height, mm 1255
Wheel base, mm 2330
Road clearance, mm 136
Engine
Type of gasoline with fuel injection
Front location, longitudinally
Location and number of cylinders R4
Working volume, cm 1999
Cylinder diameter/piston stroke, mm 87.5/83.1
The degree of compression is 10.8
The number of valves per cylinder 4
Maximum power, L.S./q/min 160/5500
Maximum torque, Nm/rpm 188/5000
Transmission
Gearbox 6-speed, mechanical
The rear drive
The front suspension is independent, two
The rear suspension is independent, two
Front brakes Disco ventilated
The rear brakes are disk
Tires 205/45 R17
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 215
Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, from 8.2
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
city cycle 11.2
country cycle 6.5
mixed cycle 8.2
Fuel tank capacity, l 50
Fuel AI-95 gasoline
Source: Carclub.ru
