Performance Review: Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda MX5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport and the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8.This particular Mazda MX5 has a 1999cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The MX5 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the MX5's Rear Wheel Drive, - combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1165 kgs (2568 lbs) this makes the Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe in the same weight category as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mazda MX5 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1999cc 16V St4 engine produces 158 bhp (117 kW) @ 6700 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 139 lb-ft (188.4 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mazda MX5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 225 (160.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda MX5.

The Mazda MX5 has a Power to weight ratio of 135.6 bhp per ton and 119.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 MX5 competing with the 2003 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 225 (160.6 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R 5.0 V8 (160.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mazda MX5 generating around 119.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1992 Rover 200 220 Coupe Turbo (144.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Skoda Octavia RS 2.0 Turbo (144.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MX5 and the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988

When talking about the performance of the Mazda MX5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.98 secs @ 85.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (15.92 secs), the 2004 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 (15.92 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - EDM (15.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe has a maximum speed of 132mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 MX5 equals the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe then how about the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph), the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph), or the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (143 mph).

Related Links:

2009 MX5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison