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MX-5 an even better driver’s car

Is Mazda’s longstanding roadster still the king of affordable sports cars? Nile Bijoux road-tests the updated MX-5.

The fourth-generation MX-5 debuted in 2015 and more than seven years later it’s still going strong. So strong, in fact, that we haven’t yet seen spy photos of a replacement being tested.

The fifth-generation ‘‘NE’’ model will probably be electrified in some form, so this could be one of the last chances to get a traditional MX-5 as a brand-new car.

For 2023, Mazda has given the little roadster a small update in the form of the GT model.

Outside

Very little has changed here, aside from the snazzy new Platinum Quartz Metallic paint. It looks great, but I think I’d still take mine in that gorgeous Soul Red.

Standard GT features include adaptive LED headlights, a dual-exit exhaust, new BBS forged alloy wheels, red front brake calipers and glossblack door mirrors.

Otherwise this is the same MX-5 it has been for the past seven years, in proper soft-top form. If you liked the happy/frowny face then, you’ll probably still like it now, but it’s certainly getting to the point where it could use an update.

Inside

The cabin is tiny, as you might expect, with little storage. Larger phones don’t quite fit in the centre console tray and can easily slide out, so best keep them in your pockets.

I was hoping for upgraded seats in the GT model but no such luck. The standard seats are fine, but they could be more supportive.

Otherwise, the cabin has aged rather well, mostly. The dials remain superb but the air-conditioning controls feel dated, as does the tiny non-touch screen. Interestingly, Apple CarPlay is now wireless, but Android Auto is cable-only.

Under the bonnet

Mazda’s 2.0-litre atmospheric fourcylinder continues to supply power here, 135kW of it along with 205Nm of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed manual transmission, as is proper, but you can also get it with a six-speed automatic if you’d prefer.

The engine likes to be revved, with a redline beyond the 7000rpm mark, and the manual is as slick as ever. Only Honda’s Civic Type R can quite match the feeling of changing gears, and that costs more than $10,000 more. The Honda has rev-matching, though, which the MX-5 lacks.

Mazda has also given every MX-5 its new Kinematic Posture Control system (KPC) to further improve handling.

It can recognise speed differences in the rear wheels while cornering and apply a small amount of brake on the inner wheel.

Mazda says this prevents rear-end lift, stabilising the car during hard cornering and on rough roads. GT models get Brembo brakes up front, Bilstein sports suspension and a front suspension tower brace bar, and KPC to round out performance tweaks.

On the road

Putting all that together results in an unsurprisingly superb drive. The powertrain is brilliant for hard driving without instantly breaking the speed limit, and despite no automatic rev matching, the pedal box

is friendly to heel-toe downshifts. KPC works subtly, but it does work. Flicking through corners is more stable than before, helping to maintain traction and drive.

Paired with the front brace bar, the GT is certainly the sportiest the MX-5 has ever been to drive.

The steering is direct and so well weighted that it’s easy to forget it is electric nowadays. The beefier front brakes here are much appreciated.

Bilstein suspension on the GT model reduces body roll, although it is still quite present. The softer tune makes it better around town, but it’s easy to feel thrown around the cabin a bit.

Verdict

Pricing the MX-5 GT comfortably under the $60,000 mark means that, despite its ageing bones and room for improvement in the seat department, this car is an easy choice for those wanting an honest, front-engined, rear-drive, naturally aspirated, manual roadster.

Other options include the Toyota GT 86, which happens to be more powerful, larger and newer, but not a convertible, heavier at 1276kg (versus 1052kg for the MX-5) and more expensive with a Clean Car fee of $3220 pushing its total sale price to $60,210.

Motoring

en-nz

2023-01-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282325389106580

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