Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Coupe Cabrio
Production years: 2004, 2005
Mazda produced for almost two years a turbocharged version of its well-known MX-5/Miata roadster and tuned-it for road and track use.
The Mazda MX-5/Miata was the best-selling roadster in the world in 2004. It was the first, true, daily driver roadster that could serve as a commuter car thanks to its high fuel efficiency and a fun car thanks to its rear-wheel-drive and low overall weight. The Mazdaspeed version was a different kind of roadster. The carmaker took a standard, second-generation (NB) Miata, put a turbocharger under the hood, and improved the suspension. It wasn't a Honda S2000 killer, but it could keep up with that on a tight race track. And it only came in red color.
But Mazda couldn't just let the turbocharged Miata look just like the rest of the range. It added a body kit with different air-intakes in the front apron and no mesh-grille at all. Through the big gap, the car showed its intercooler placed behind the bumper. A set of aerodynamic side-sills channeled the air to the sides to avoid ground-effect turbulences on the sides. In the back, a small lip spoiler enhanced the car's rear look.
Inside, Mazda continued with some other upgrades, such as the Bose sound system with a CD player. Also, the aluminum pedals sported the Mazdaspeed lettering. A short-shifter kit was added for the gear-stick. The sport bucket seats with integrated headrests promised good lateral support thanks to their bolsterings.
It was a factory-tuned Mazda MX-5/Miata that came in the same year as the "2Fast 2Furious" movie. Under the hood, there was a turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine. Mazdaspeed lowered and stiffened the suspension for better cornering speed and added low-profile tires on 17" Racing Heart alloys. The six-speed manual was standard, but the air-conditioning was on the options list.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 16V Turbo 6MT (178 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1839 cm3 |
Power: | 133 KW @ 6000 RPM 178 HP @ 6000 RPM 178 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 154 lb-ft @ 5500 RPM 209 Nm @ 5500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/40 R17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 156.1 in (3965 mm) |
Width: | 66.1 in (1679 mm) |
Height: | 48.6 in (1234 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.3/56.3 in (1,405/1,430 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 89.2 in (2266 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4 in (102 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 5.1 cuFT (144 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.37 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2469.6 lbs (1120 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 28.7 mpg US (8.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 195 g/km |