Performance Review: Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe - [2015]

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 2015. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular Mazda MX5 has a 1998cc 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, Cabriolet 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 1075 kgs (2369 lbs) this makes the Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe in the same weight category as the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 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 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 158 bhp (117 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 148 lb-ft (200.6 Nm) @ 4600 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 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (170 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 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (171.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda MX5.

The Mazda MX5 has a Power to weight ratio of 146.9 bhp per ton and 137.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2015 MX5 competing with the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (171.9 bhp per ton) or the 1967 Ford Thunderbird 428 Hard Top 5th Gen. (171.9 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 137.6 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 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe (162.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1952 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Spider (162.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2009 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.4 Turbo (7.00 secs). This Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MX5 and the 1996 Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mazda MX5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.58 secs @ 87.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo (15.51 secs), the 1992 Renault Alpine A610 3.0 V6 Turbo (15.52 secs), and the 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDI 310 (15.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2015 version of the Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe has a maximum speed of 133mph.

Top Speed of the 2015 MX5 equals the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe then how about the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph), the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (144 mph), or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (144 mph).

Related Links:

2015 MX5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison