23 Jun 05
Though the power outputs are, on paper, relatively modest, Mazda says that they're enough to push the 1.8-litre model from 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds and onto 122mph, with the 131mph range-topper taking 7.9 seconds to get to 62mph. Whether these figures are easily repeatable, I cannot say, for Mazda took the somewhat extraordinary decision to introduce us to the MX-5 in Hawaii. And while I'm not asking you to place me on your list of people to feel sorry for this week, trying to uncover the entire dynamic envelope of a sporting roadster on a island with a speed limit of 55mph and the most active law enforcement community I have seen this side of the ACPO's AGM, does have its limitations.
And, being frank, I was a little disappointed. Mazda only had six-speed 2.0-litre models for us to play with, and just wandering around Hawaii's Big Island, mine felt rather sluggish and, most worryingly of all, it seemed to have lost the delicious steering that so distinguished previous-generation MX-5s. By lunchtime I was despairing that I'd ever find a road on which to discover whether the MX-5 spirit had gone missing, or if it was merely in hiding.
Asked by a Mazda engineer what I thought of his new baby, I could only take a deep breath and say it seemed a long way from where I thought the replacement for such an iconic sports car should be. But instead of glaring at me, bursting into tears or politely implying that his child's pet gerbil would be a better road tester, he looked thoughtful and asked which particular car I'd driven. He then tossed me the keys to the car he'd driven up to the lunch-stop himself, explaining that these were all pre-production units and some were very much nicer to drive than others.
