The fourth generation Mazda MX-5 comes as a breath of lightweight fresh-air to the party. Unfortunately, it won’t come with a stronger, more potent hardcore version.
We know this for a fact and because Mazda’s MX-5 program manager – Nobuhiro Yamamoto – confirmed this to Top Gear at the Goodwood festival of speed.
According to the magazine, the mind behind the rotary powered, Le Mans winning 787B Group C prototype, stated:
“It’s important not to get hung up on numbers, not on power, or torque. No, what is more important is the feeling. The driving experience and feeling is more important than power.”
It seems a trend is slowly emerging from the Japanese car manufacturers, which implies throwing a whole lot of excess kilos out the window and maintaining a decent amount of power. Overkill is not the key, apparently. Hear that, Germans?
So, that’s that. The current MX-5 generation will be “stuck” with the 1.5-litre, 129 Hp unit and the friskier 2.0-litre, 158 HP variant. But is that such a bad thing?
Obviously not, as the man continued: “What’s very important to me is the feeling, and that you are happy driving it. I don’t want any more power or torque for the MX-5, but the sensation is important.”
So what does the future hold for the MX-5? Well, not a forced induction engine, that’s for sure. Nobuhiro Yamamoto said that he never considered a turbo for the project and that’s because “naturally aspirated engines are just nice, especially for this kind of car”.
Well said, Mr. Yamamoto. Well said.
Mazda MX-5 Cup Car Concept pictured.
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