26 years ago, Mazda unleashed the MX-5 Miata NA into the world. Fast-forward to the present day and here we are with the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata ND - the fourth generation of the best-selling two-seater sports car in history. But are 160 horsepower and 1,075 kg (2,370 lbs) enough to get your kicks?
Well, this editor believes that's about enough to get the right dopamine fix from a spirited driver's point of view. Still, there's a Toyota GT86 looming on the horizon, animated by a 200 horsepower boxer engine. As such, the aftermarket scene comes to help the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata ND 2.0 and its 160 BHP SkyActiv-G motor. Cue BBR, a British outfit that celebrates 25 years since it started tuning the ever-popular MX-5.
BBR director Neil Mckay declared roughly nine months ago that his company's "objective with the all-new MX-5 is to achieve the same 200 BHP output that we can easily enjoy with simple bolt-on components on the current 2.0-liter NC model.” And guess what? BBR GTi kept its promise to us enthusiasts and what you can admire in the video and photo gallery below is the fruit of the British company's labor.
So how did they squeeze the extra 35 BHP?
The simple answer to this question is nobody knows yet. The tuning package isn't official at the time of writing. All we have is the previously mentioned declaration from the BBR director and the adjacent video evidence of the tuned Japanese roadster. Considering that BBR took the Mazda3 2.0 120 all the way to 185 brake horsepower without resorting to forced induction, the MX-5 Miata ND should churn out 200+ BHP.
As we wait for BBR GTi to make an official announcement about the Mazda MX-5 Miata ND tuning package, specs included, we can tell you that the goodies basket include a StarChip Mazda ECU remap, a 4-2-1 configuration exhaust manifold, Bilstein shocks, OZ alloy wheels, a revised geometry, some black decals on the side body and bonnet, as well as an integrated boot spoiler and a subtle lip spoiler.
The DIY version of the BBR Super 200 package (name not confirmed) for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata ND should retail for roughly £1,700, which translates to $2,765 or €2,475 sans the wheels and shocks. An optional BBR exhaust should be in the pipeline too, as well as a Cosworth-developed supercharger system.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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