25 Years of Mazda MX-5 History
Two decades and a half. It has been since the launch of the iconic Mazda MX-5, a car that has instantly gained popularity for its driving sensations.
ow it all started.
The date of 9 February 1989 will remain forever in the history of the car. Not for that time a famous producer would have declared his bankruptcy, or because any "artist" of this fascinating world has lost his life. No, but for a much more gratifying reason.
Two and a half decades later, on February 9, 1989, the Japanese Mazda revealed in front of the entire planet at the Chicago Motor Show, which was to become one of the most exciting roadster ever launched: the model MX-5, also known as Miata.
Mazda MX-5: 25 Years of Excellence and Existence
The first generation of the iconic Mazda MX-5 made its appearance in the Japanese company's showrooms in May of the same year, being available for sale in the company of a four-cylinder in-line engine with a capacity of 1.6 liters, capable of providing the one at the wheel somewhere around 116 horsepower and 135 Newton-meters.
Even though it does not necessarily impress its maximum values, the Japanese automaker's roadster had hidden another ace in the sleeve: thanks to its weight of about 960 kilos, the first generation of the iconic Mazda MX-5 would take less than nine seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour.
Also, thanks to its low weight, the roadster of the Japanese automobile manufacturer also boasted exemplary maneuverability, the driving sensations being among the most exciting. As a result, just a few months after its launch, the Japanese model managed to award one of the five "World's Best Cars" rankings made by the American Road & Track publication.
Originally offered in the company of a five-speed manual transmission, the first generation of the iconic Mazda MX-5 was eventually available along with a four-speed automatic transmission. In addition, the Japanese automaker's roadster could also boast an independent double wishbone suspension - both on the front axle and on the rear axle, but also with brake discs for all four wheels. The retractable roof, with an extremely simple and efficient mechanism, was another technical element to push the Japanese model to the heights of glory.
The second generation
Nine years away from its big debut, in 1998, the Mazda MX-5 returned to the attention of car enthusiasts (and not only) in a new generation, second in number. Although the Japanese roadster was endowed with many improvements, its main attraction was far from the new 1.8-liter engine capable of producing 140 horsepower and 161 Newton-meters.
As a result, unlike its predecessor, the second generation of the iconic Mazda MX-5 managed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in less than eight seconds, while the maximum speed exceeded, and the threshold of 195 kilometers per hour.
Moreover, the Japanese automobile maker's model could be proud of a much more modern design, which was highlighted especially by the fixed headlamps, replacing the retractable ones, characteristic of the previous generation. Also, another important change was to be operated at the level of the top of the soft top, instead of the plastic, making it a glass, also equipped with heating.
The third generation
The third generation of the iconic roadster Mazda MX-5 was launched on the market in 2005, with the Japanese automaker maker bringing into its engine compartment a four-cylinder MZR propellers, 16 valves and a capacity of two liters. As a result, the technical specification sheet now housed 170 horsepower and 190 Newton meters, all of which were delivered to the wheels via a manual transmission of either five or six ratios.
American customers could also opt for a six-speed automatic box, optionally available, in which case the maximum power of the engine dropped by 4 hp to a total of 166 horsepower.
Besides the new engine, the third generation of the iconic roadster Mazda MX-5 also benefited from a new suspension, like wishbone and multilink (front / rear), while the traction control systems, respectively the stability and they also made their appearance in the landscape.
Special editions worthy of all our attention.
n 1999, on the occasion of its famous tenth anniversary, the Mazda MX-5 received numerous goodies, such as a six-speed manual transmission, a Torsen limited slip differential, plus Bilstein shock absorber suspension. Also, the Japanese roadster has been accessorized with a Sapphire Blue Mica body, a blue shade being used to finish the soft-top.
In 2004, the iconic roadster of Japanese automobile maker was offered for sale in a Mazdaspeed edition, powered by a 178 hp turbocharger capable of delivering an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in less than seven seconds.
In 2009, besides the 20-year anniversary edition, the Japanese Mazda also featured an extremely interesting concept car, based on the MX-5 and named Superlight, boasting main attractions such as a 1.8-liter aspirated engine and 126 horsepower, weighing about 1,000 kilograms, but also with a speedster-type configuration with two seats and a windscreen.