Comments on: Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept [Live image update]

By: aesir

aesir — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:11:17 +0000

I agree with 928dreamer and I’ve seen the same thing that 2WheeledSpeed has seen at the autoX races. Granted it’s still fun to see the exotics at the big boy tracks.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:52:22 +0000

I think 126 hp is enough for a car this light, but for some reason, something is holding this back.

By: 2WheeledSpeed

2WheeledSpeed — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:08:32 +0000

Oh I’m aware, but it’s a pretty consistent thing to go to an autocross event and see Miatas do extremely well against “Better” cars. They’re amazing handling little cars, my ONLY complaint is that Mazda for whatever reason doesn’t like giving them alot of power in stock form.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:04:19 +0000

It was because he was a c0ck, 2Wheel. It happens all the time. I saw all kinds of people in nice cars get their butts handed to them by a ’79 Accord.

By: 2WheeledSpeed

2WheeledSpeed — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:20:28 +0000

I once went to an autocross event and saw an extremely proud Lambo owner get his butt handed to him by stock and near stock Miatas. It was pretty funny to see him make excuses for why he couldn’t keep up.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:44:21 +0000

In my ’98 Tracker it was at least that!

By: armstealer

armstealer — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0000

Sorry my calculator only works with 0-60, but Johnny, it’s not a 1.7 second ride from 60-62. Maybe .2 or .3

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:57:22 +0000

I agree with you, 928. I think this car is much quicker in a straight line than what is being posted.

By: 928dreamer

928dreamer — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:31:50 +0000

I’m also guessing that the 0-62 time listed is grossly underestimated.

By: 928dreamer

928dreamer — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:29:21 +0000

I’ve seen it time and time again at drivers education events. A good driver with a lot of track experience could blow away almost any novice in a much “faster” car. Some drivers egos are seriously hurt when their brand new high dollar track day car gets left behind by something like a lowly Miata.

A car like this will not win any drags down the front straight, but it will carry great momentum through the corners with very high exit speeds. Being fast is so much more than 0-62 times. I just get tired of people quoting 0-60 stats as the end all of saying which car is fastest.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:56:52 +0000

Guys, it’s 0-62 (100kph) not 0-60. It makes a difference.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:56:52 +0000

Armstealer, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I don’t think 8.9 seconds is accurate, unless something is ridiculously wrong.

By: Borat

Borat — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:39:34 +0000

They must provide either a windshield or supply of flossing string to get the bugs out of teeth.

By: armstealer

armstealer — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:33:31 +0000

126hp pushing 2200lbs calculates out to something like a 7.2 second 0-60

By: armstealer

armstealer — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:27:10 +0000

No no, it IS true, driving a piece of junk at 100% is MUCH more fun than driving a good car at the same speed. It’s like go-cart racing, or lawn mower racing for that matter. Or driving a 1st gen Miata or an MG at 100%. Just a hell of a lot of fun and a good way to hone your skills.
Where are the guys that defended the 130hp neon last week?

By: idrinorbarsaku

idrinorbarsaku — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:11:48 +0000

Driving anything around a track will put a huge smile on your face, I should know, we got back from the Sebring International Raceway late last night………It was pretty awesome! But, compared to what I got to drive, the best thing to compare this would most likely be a SNAIL!

By: zfenderguy

zfenderguy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:30:56 +0000

It looks like a roller skate with an anime cartoon face. And it has 126 hp. I’d drive it I guess to see how it handles, so long as no one was watching.

By: 928dreamer

928dreamer — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:26:46 +0000

Go to a local track and drive a lightweight low powered car at 9+/10ths and you will find out how much of a blast to drive it can be. Better yet, drive an even lower powered shifter cart and see how long it takes the grin to leave your face, or for the sore neck, shoulder and arm muscles to ease up from the high G forces.

You will learn respect for Momentum racing and good technique.

By: 2WheeledSpeed

2WheeledSpeed — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:00:56 +0000

Light, agile cars with great suspension and brakes tend to be a “Blast to drive”, yeah this thing needs more power. But it’s got potential.

By: HoosierHero

HoosierHero — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:57:37 +0000

I’m still not digging it. Kind of a waste for their concept people. Who greenlighted this??

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:56:52 +0000

Ktulu! You’re back!

QR, it’s 8.9 seconds, and I hope you were being sarcastic. 8.9 seconds is hardly breathtaking. Most minivans today are beating that by at least a whole second, and they weigh twice what this does.

That interior is just cool. Other makes need to take hints from this interior. It’s simple, yet really nice.

By: idrinorbarsaku

idrinorbarsaku — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:53:28 +0000

what exactly would make this a, “blast to drive?” Because I know it’s not the power!!!

By: ktulu

ktulu — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:55:32 +0000

wow

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:34:19 +0000

Yes, it’s kind of cool, but what exactly is the point of this? They’re never going to produce it. It’s just not Mazda’s style.

By: 928dreamer

928dreamer — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:25:19 +0000

While I agree that the car could stand to have some more power. Especially with the suspension and brake upgrade. This car will be an absolute blast to drive.

It will be a momentum racer that is very good at teaching smoothness and letting you gone your racing skills. Most people would benefit enourmously from learning how to race in a car like this before getting into a higher powered racer. This will be perfect for a spec racing series.

By: QR25SpecV

QR25SpecV — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:06:12 +0000

0-62 in 8.2 seconds. That’s just a breathtaking figure. Why not bump up the power to a reasonable 200-250bhp.

By: Bosley

Bosley — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:23 +0000

Ok, but most of the other Live update articles seem to have different written content too……..

By: armstealer

armstealer — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:48:56 +0000

Why would they WAIT to post breaking news? They would have no advantage if they waited for the press release. I’m sure someone is uploading these photos from Frankfurt, and you should know they usually just add the photos to the old article, don’t be so quick to jump down their throats. Also, the words “Live Image Update” probably should have clued you in to the fact that is is an image update.

By: Bosley

Bosley — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:33:07 +0000

If you’re gonna update the images, then update the article too ’cause it doesn’t make sense anymore….. Or better yet, don’t post the same story twice, just wait for the car show and the official unveiling….. groan………