2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring - Car and Driver
Mazda’s top-down toy hits 2009 with subtle changes to its face, engine, and suspension, all of which adds up to make our perennial 10Bester even more appealing. Most notable, however, are sharper angles up front that mimic the RX-8, which shares much of its platform with the MX-5 Miata, and the new, wide-mouth Mazda 3. Rocker-panel cladding carries the theme to the rear, where you’ll also find new... In an effort to reduce pitching and rolling and sharpen steering responses, Mazda revised the Miata’s shock and spring rates. Under the hood, the 167-hp (158 with the six-speed automatic transmission), 2. 0-liter MZR four-cylinder has a new oil cooler, a new forged steel crank and connecting rods, new pistons with stronger wrist pins, and stouter valve springs. The revised hardware allows Mazda to raise the 2. 0’s redline by 500 rpm, to 7200. Changes to the intake ducting return some of the sexier engine sounds of the original Miata. Indeed, the chassis changes combined with the optional $500 Sport package (Bilstein shocks, limited-slip differential) diminish understeer and give the MX-5 the lift-throttle rotation it lacked before. The 2009 Miata actually breaks away from the back end now—as is proper for a rear-drive car—and despite its relatively low power, we burned up a set of. Source: www.caranddriver.com
