Mazda MX-5 Yusho Concept & MX-5 GT Concept

[Ddrizle]

Mazda Introduces Supercharged MX-5 Yusho Concept

The prototype ‘Yusho’ (Japanese for ‘Victory’) shows what unrealized driving dynamics potential there still is in the Mazda MX-5. A compressor was sourced from the American firm specializing in MX-5 tuning, ‘Flyin’ Miata’, and this allowed the output of the two-litre four-cylinder motor to rise from 160 to 241 horsepower, pushing the roadster to over 240 kilometres an hour. The compressor combined with intercooler permits smooth and homogenous delivery of torque and performance across the entire spectrum of revs. At 5,400 RPM the maximum of 275 Nm of torque is delivered.

Sports suspension and semi-slicks

The six-speed manual transmission is combined with a sports clutch in order to get the enhanced power efficiently to the rear wheels and the reduction of the axle drive ratio to 4.1 helps acceleration in all of the gears. Bilstein sports shock absorbers are on board, together with big stabilizers and sports springing by Elbach… both contributing to sporting capabilities far beyond those of the standard model. The grip is improved by the semi-slick tires fitted on light metal 8Jx17 rims.

The future of the ‘Yusho’ has not yet been determined. A limited edition of a hundred units of the complete auto would be one alternative. The other would be to make available the individual components for the tuning of the current MX-5. Credit: Motorvision

Mazda to debut MX-5 Miata GT Concept.

Mazda will reveal the Mazda MX-5 GT concept - a potent 205bhp road-legal MX-5 - at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Inspired by the Mazda MX-5 GT racer, the GT concept is powered by a highly-tuned, naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine. Drive is sent to the road via a standard six-speed manual gearbox.

Features of the hot MX-5 include adjustable coilover suspension, carbonfibre front and rear splitters and a rear boot spoiler. The firm has also added a centrally mounted sports exhaust to improve air flow and to enhance the four-pot’s engine note.

Inside the concept’s cabin, the GT gets lightweight Recaro sports seats as well as extensive use of carbonfibre around the GT’s instrumentation.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed will be used by Mazda to gauge public reaction to the 205bhp concept. To showcase the concept’s performance potential, the GT will be driven up the legendary hill circuit.

Credit: Alex Kersten

 

[CodeRedR51]

Nice and all, but still patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for the new car...

 

[squirlybmx]

Me likey

 

[homeforsummer]

Nice and all, but still patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for the new car...

You've written, almost to the word, exactly what I was going to write.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Not interested. Bring on the ND.

 

[YSSMAN]

Okay, they've done this before as a stop-gap. But, I thought we were getting a new MX-5 next year?

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

The only special edition NC I could possibly care about is one with the superlight body and a 13b renesis under the hood.

+

=win

 

[eSZee]

Mazda is in no position to do anything like that. The rotary fanboys need to relax for a couple of years and hope mazda finds itself a partner to get them out of this slump.

 

[CodeRedR51]

It's a shame they are in this slump. Maybe the buying public doesn't know that Mazda simply builds better cars than most.

 

[hawkeye122]

My aunt owns a Mazda 3, and everyone but me hates it because its "Uncomfortable". I dont think the mass-market is ready to accept a "Drivers Car" over a "Comfortable Car".

 

[homeforsummer]

My aunt owns a Mazda 3, and everyone but me hates it because its "Uncomfortable". I dont think the mass-market is ready to accept a "Drivers Car" over a "Comfortable Car".

Unfortunately most people are wimps. Very few cars are genuinely uncomfortable these days, it's just that most buy motorised sofas with electronic butt-wipers and eyeball cleaners and subsequently expect nothing less.

I'm struggling to remember the last car I drove with ride quality and/or seats bad enough that I wished I was driving something comfier. Maybe my old Fiat, which had good seats but zero suspension. Or the Renault Twizy, which isn't really a car in the first place.

Are Mazda really in a slump though? The MX-5 is presumably still selling okay despite its age, they've just launched the CX-5 with all the SKYACTIV engines to a great fanfare, and the other models are simply between phases. Next I expect is the next Mazda6, and if that looks like the Takeri concept they're on to a winner.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

They would probably get better sales if they didn't have that nasty front.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I think Mazda will return to profitability soon. Fingers crossed.

 

[Ddrizle]

MX-5 GT Concept Hill Climb at Goodwood

Sounds nice.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Sounds really nice.

Oh, and the rev limiter works.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

If they can keep the price down, that is a compelling response to the GT86/BR-Z/FR-S

 

[homeforsummer]

If they can keep the price down, that is a compelling response to the GT86/BR-Z/FR-S

In the UK they're projecting a figure of £30k, which is £5k higher than the BR-Z. I like MX-5s, but that's just ridiculous.

 

[Moglet]

Unfortunately most people are wimps. Very few cars are genuinely uncomfortable these days, it's just that most buy motorised sofas with electronic butt-wipers and eyeball cleaners and subsequently expect nothing less.

I'm struggling to remember the last car I drove with ride quality and/or seats bad enough that I wished I was driving something comfier. Maybe my old Fiat, which had good seats but zero suspension. Or the Renault Twizy, which isn't really a car in the first place.

Are Mazda really in a slump though? The MX-5 is presumably still selling okay despite its age, they've just launched the CX-5 with all the SKYACTIV engines to a great fanfare, and the other models are simply between phases. Next I expect is the next Mazda6, and if that looks like the Takeri concept they're on to a winner.

I had a ride in my friend's 2005 Megane about 3 years ago. I've not been in a car as comfortable since, and especially not a new one.

 

[homeforsummer]

I had a ride in my friend's 2005 Megane about 3 years ago. I've not been in a car as comfortable since, and especially not a new one.

Yup. My dad owned a string of Renaults. They were always hugely comfortable. I sort of admire that Renault still goes the very French route of making cars that ride well, even if they don't necessarily handle as well as a Ford or something.

Even so, I've still not driven many recent cars that I got out of and thought "OW". I mean, some are less comfy than others, and you can usually guarantee that something with huge wheels will crash through potholes a bit, but most are now capable of taking you long distances without needing a chiropractor at the other end.

 

[Robin]

Hardly a 'concept' per say, more like a production ready car with bolt ons.

I preferred the old pre facelift MX-5, the one which looks cool rather than looks like its smiling at you.

Ibuki Concept was amazing all those years ago...

 

[Omnis]

Are Mazda really in a slump though?

Yes. They've been hemorrhaging money since 2009 and while their new engine and drivetrain tech is great, everything else about their cars is pretty crummy. The CX-5 is a step in the right direction, but the interiors on all the other cars are cheap and horrible. I've seen first hand how bad a taste it puts in peoples mouths at all the auto shows. Why even consider a Mazda when they make such a bad first impression?

 

[homeforsummer]

Yes. They've been hemorrhaging money since 2009 and while their new engine and drivetrain tech is great, everything else about their cars is pretty crummy. The CX-5 is a step in the right direction, but the interiors on all the other cars are cheap and horrible. I've seen first hand how bad a taste it puts in peoples mouths at all the auto shows. Why even consider a Mazda when they make such a bad first impression?

Yeah, I wrote that before reading about the sales in the other thread.

I have to admit too, despite being a fan of the MX-5 and Mazda2 (and the current Mazda6, actually), I rarely wander onto Mazda's stand at motor shows - they've got very little to excite me, and that just isn't good enough when there are such brilliant cars available from some of the other carmakers.

It's also a pity, as for a while they had a cracking range - around the time the 2, 3 and 6 were all out, alongside the RX8 and MX5. All well-styled, and exciting. And then they started facelifting everything and lagging behind with development.