2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata - Archived Instrumented Test - Car and Driver (blog)
over a half-million served worldwide since the Miata's 1989 introduction. But unlike the original's original purveyors, who let their MGs, Triumphs, and Healeys fade, first into charming fossils, then uncharming ones, Mazda keeps adding zest. Horsepower is up a hearty 11 percent to 155, Mazda says, thanks to variable valve timing on the intakes and a half-point nudge in compression to 10. 0 to 1. Promises, promises. Zero to 60 clocked in at 8. 1 seconds, a half-second behind the old model in the July 2000 issue. A second 2001, with the optional six-speed, hit 60 in 7. 9 seconds, still not up to past zip. Unlike the VTEC Honda S2000, which turns from mild to furious when it steps up to its high-speed cams, the Miata merely perks up as the tach sweeps past 4500. Torque is up six pound-feet to 125 at 5500 rpm, Mazda says, at the same peak revs as... Although 15-inch wheels remain standard on the base Miata, our triple-black test car had the optional Suspension package ($1025), which includes 16-inch aluminum alloys wearing 205/45WR-16 Bridgestone Turanzas, a Torsen limited-slip, a brace for... Miatas built with 16-inch wheels also get structural reinforcements under the cockpit. Source: www.caranddriver.com
