My FH5 Log: Peak Roadster

The Mazda Roadster, known in the world market as the MX-5 Miata, celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2024. Of the four generations offered, the ND is considered to be the peak of the Roadster's development.

The fourth-generation Roadster, the ND, was launched nearly a decade ago and is still strong. The ND retains the same Roadster legacy and is a hundred kilograms lighter than the previous NC model and it is powered by a SKYACTIV-G 1.5L petrol engine developing a reasonable 131PS of power and 150Nm of torque while mated with either a Toyota-derived 6-speed automatic or a newly-developed SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed gearbox developed specifically for the new Roadster.

The ND Roadster featured in Forza Horizon 5 is powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2.0L petrol engine that the Japanese market never had at launch. Looks like the Japanese Forza fans will wistfully listen to its SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine sound via ForzaVista. Isn't it a pity that there's one variant of the Roadster that has the said engine and that's the Roadster RF.

Having won from the Cars & Coffee Dry Season Playlist, the Roadster RF is the only Roadster variant with the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine in it. Of course, the world market versions have both the 1.5L and the 2.0L but the Japan version Roadsters had a 1.5L for the soft-top and the 2.0L for the RF. Either way, they're both mated with either a 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT or a 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.

For the 2022MY update, the Roadster ND features Kinematic Posture Control which applies a light braking force on the inner rear wheel during high-G cornering to suppress body roll for optimal steering response feel. The 2.0L SKYACTIV-G, exclusive for the RF, now produces 181hp of power and 205Nm of torque.

With the shortest circuit in Horizon Mexico under my thumb, it's time to see which ND Roadster is the best. Is it the soft top? The RF? Or maybe...

...maybe this? It's the short-lived Abarth 124 Spider. The normal Fiat 124 Spider is based on the same mechanicals as the Mazda Roadster ND but this is the Abarth version. Powered by an Abarth-tuned 1.4L MultiAir engine producing 170PS of power and 250Nm of torque while mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox. It does 0-100kph in 6.8 seconds and onwards to 232kph.

Let's roll the tape...

Here are the results...

MX-5 ND - 1m02.563s

MX-5 RF - 1m01.461s5

Abarth 124 Spider - 1m04.031s

It appears the KPC and the updated SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine worked wonders for the RF. Touche...

The Mazda Roadster is a prime example of a proper sports car. It focuses on dynamics rather than speed and power. While it's not as fast as today's sports cars, its fun-to-drive character can't be beat. Let's hope the Mazda Roadster continues for many years to come.

EPILOGUE

The Mazda Roadster ND and the Abarth 124 Spider may have spawned from the same nest but in the end, it's the OG that stood tall while its Italian counterpart called it quits. I had to admire such a short-term collaboration between the two and with that, it's time for the twin roadsters for their live show but first...

Ever since the Abarth 124 Spider returned to Forza Horizon 5 in last year's Italian Automotive update, I've decided to summon an old friend of ours. Hey look, it's Aine Yuki. You know? She's one of the Pure Palette girls from Aikatsu Friends. Nah, I guess you've nearly forgotten about her...

The ND Roadster, meanwhile, is feeling sweet and perky as it dons the role of Kiratto PriChan's leading lady, Mirai Momoyama. Suits its personality if you catch my drift.

Aine-chan prefers to chill in the EventLab masterpiece called "Tea & Crumpets" while Mirai-chan tries to outsmart the competition in what's known to be a recreation of a racetrack from a CHORO-Q video game. Anyway, let's roll the tapes!

The girls with pink hair have done it again. I'm so proud of them.

The Mazda Roadster ND is the peak of the Roadster's development. The short-lived Abarth 124 Spider is a tribute to the ND. Together, they're becoming one of the all-time greats.

Here's to 35 more years, Mazda Roadster.

GT SPORT: How the Mazda Roadster progressed

2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the Mazda Roadster (known in the world market as the MX-5 Miata) and here at GT SPORT, it's time to experiment with the first and the latest generation of Mazda's lightweight, open-top, sportscar that impressed the speedo boys worldwide with its accessible dynamics that made it unique.



How about a quick history lesson, shall we? The first Roadster (designated as NA) debuted in 1989 under the name, Eunos Roadster. of course, Eunos is one of the brands from Mazda aside from Efini and Autozam back then. Sold worldwide as the MX-5 Miata, the Eunos Roadster was hugely popular among enthusiasts because of such lightweight chassis. The Eunos Roadster is powered by either a B6-ZE 1597cc 4-cylinder DOHC engine that produces 120ps/6500rpm of power or the BP-ZE 1839cc 4-cylinder DOHC engine that produces 130ps/6500rpm of power. There are so many special editions of the NA Roadster, including the S-Special, V-Special, or the J Limited.

The latest Roadster (designated as ND) still retains the same Roadster legacy while gaining its new look and new features. The ND is a hundred kilograms lighter than the previous NC model and it is powered by a SKYACTIV-G 1.5L petrol engine developing a reasonable 131PS of power and 150Nm of torque while mated with either a Toyota-derived 6-speed automatic or a newly-developed SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed gearbox developed specifically for the new Roadster.

Now that we know about the first and the latest Roadsters, how about a little experiment at Tsukuba Circuit, the venue of a popular one-make race series for Mazda Roadsters?



By taking the past and the present Roadsters for a spin around Tsukuba, you can really feel how much the Roadster recipe has improved over the past three decades. The NA Roadster is all about being a driver-focused sportscar with a no-nonsense point of view that lets drivers do the talking rather than the car itself. The ND Roadster, meanwhile, may be more polished-up compared to the first one but despite having luxury stuff on it, it still feels like a Roadster. It just is.

To see how much the Roadster has improved from the NA to the ND, it's time for a quick lap attack around Tsukuba.

After a quick lap around Tsukuba, here are the lap times;

NA - 1:16.703
ND - 1:13.344

So, three decades of Roadster history, it took about three seconds to improve the recipe, which is rather obvious but I'll take it into consideration.



For three decades, the Mazda Roadster has been the prime example of what a proper sportscar should be; focusing solely on dynamics rather than the performance itself and while it is not as fast and powerful as today's sports cars, its fun-to-drive character can't be beaten out cold and let's hope the Mazda Roadster will continue to soldier on for several years even though in this ever-changing world where sportscars are continue to rule out in favor of bigger ones that don't do dirty things.

Never change, please.

GT SPORT: The modern Heisei JDMs

Earlier, after a little game at Tsukuba on GT SPORT, I crowned the R34 Skyline GT-R as the best Japanese sportscar to emerge from the early years of the Heisei era. Continuing on our farewell tribute to the Heisei era on GT SPORT, it's time to bring in the modern Heisei JDMs. Before you ask, no, you won't see the GR Supra in here because that one hasn't been on sale yet.







As the Heisei era tips to the climax here's how the Japanese car industry progressed so far. For Mazda, the only sporty offering in the SKYACTIV era is basically the ND Roadster, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year, the Lancer Evolution X is the last Lancer Evolution ever made and its reign ended in 2015 with a Final Edition, today's WRX STi is all about conquering the Nurburgring rather than rallying, Toyota wowed us with the 86 (which is made in cooperation with Subaru), Lexus continues to upset the luxury car market with their flagship LC grand tourer, and today's NSX is a hybrid supercar. Out of the modern Heisei JDMs, the R35 Nissan GT-R reigns supreme or is it?



To find out, I'm using the Tsukuba Circuit again to see which one of the modern Heisei-era Japanese sportscars is the top star and I got a little something for it later on so ladies and gentlemen, let's get this show on the track.



After the time of their lives at Tsukuba, here come the results...

Roadster S (ND) '15 - 1:14.018
86 GT '15 - 1:11.302
WRX STi Type S '14 - 1:07.100
Lancer Evo.Final '15 - 1:06.282
LC500 '17 - 1:06.129
NSX '17 - 1:03.377
GT-R '17 - 1:01.974



Here you are, ladies and gentlemen. The R35 is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best modern Heisei-era Japanese sportscar ever made but the question now is, is it really the best Heisei-era car? Check back for the big finish of this Heisei-ending tribute.

Mitsuoka -ALL NEW- Himiko (DBA-ND5RC改)

For car enthusiasts who want a Mazda Roadster ND but don't like the way it looks, don't fret because Mitsuoka, known for turning everyday cars look like classics like the Corolla-based Ryugi, the Teana-based Galue, and the March-based Viewt, brings back the Himiko roadster and because this is an all-new Himiko we're talking about, the Mazda Roadster ND you're familiar with is now donning the identity of a Morgan roadster just like the previous model.

2018 Mitsuoka Himiko

2018 Mitsuoka Himiko

Just like the original Himiko, Mitsuoka retained the look of the Morgan roadster from start to finish while taking precious man hours converting the sporty Mazda Roadster ND into a neo-classic masterpiece for the gentlemen who want to try pass out a JDM sportscar as a vintage English cruiser in all the wrong barrels. You got to give 'em credit for that and on the inside, it's pretty much like the Roadster ND but it was festooned with Alcantara-ish dashboard and steering wheel as well as its handcrafted leather seats that will make the regular Roadster jealous because this is all about fancy living.

Because it was based on the Mazda Roadster ND, the new Himiko is powered by a SKYACTIV-G 1.5L petrol engine producing 131PS of power and 150Nm of torque, mated with either a 6-speed AT or MT. Of course, it maybe short on power but because it weighs a ton, it's basically nimble and agile just like what a proper low-power roadster should be. It's got rack and pinion steering, front double wishbones, rear multilink suspension, ventilated disc brakes, and so on, keeping the new Himiko's driving experience is as delicate as sipping rose tea after dark.

The all-new Himiko starts at 4,978,800 Japanese Yen (around $50,000) so it's basically more expensive than the Mazda Roadster ND it was based on but look at this way, the new Himiko is for those who wanted an ND-spec Roadster but don't like the styling and because it has everything you'd expect from the sportscar it was based on but wrapped in vintage car looks, it's all about blending the past and the present in a rather amusing way and I think they're onto something here.

Photo: Mitsuoka Motor Co., Ltd.

Forza Motorsport 7: Italian Lessons

A few moments ago, I get to try out the new Fiat 124 Spider Abarth, which is part of the Samsung QLED TV Car Pack of Forza Motorsport 7, and I was amazed that it has a lot to live up being the modern-day successor to the original Fiat 124 Spider from the distant past. Now, let's get to the interesting part about what if the 124 and the Roadster clash each other. Let's get this show on the road.





What better way to settle this showdown than taking it to the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Hence the name, this is how America's top motoring magazines test the latest cars here. It was also the perfect venue for the Best Driver's Car every year and now, it will be my playground for the main event I've lined up for the two open-top roadsters.





Every gearhead is familiar with the Laguna Seca raceway ever since they were nine years old so they are familiar with the breakneck twists and turns as well as the dreaded Corkscrew corner that trips even the best drivers due to the tricky elevation. It's best to be careful when you're out there but because all of you are familiar with Laguna Seca, this should be a walk in the park for you.





Of course, the MX-5/Roadster ND and the 124 Spider are built in the same factory but what differs between then are the dynamics because Fiat engineered the 124 by themselves, meaning most of the components are different than the MX-5 and in the 124 Spider Abarth, the 1.4L MultiAir engine produces slightly more power than the MX-5's SKYACTIV-G 2.0L petrol engine, the engine that is not available in Japan but only offered on the RF variant. Yes, it maybe slightly more powerful but the MX-5 is shockingly lighter than the 124 Spider, meaning these two byproduct of the Axis Powers are on equal footing and equal is kinda boring for me so to spice things up, I've added a little wild card to this showdown.





Surprise! It's an Alfa Romeo 4C and it has the pricing equivalent of these two mentioned above, which is rather expensive for a man with exquisite taste but the 1750cc turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces 240HP of power while mated with a 6-speed Alfa TCT Dual Dry Clutch Transmission, resulting to a 0-100kph time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 258kph. Yes, I know this is faster than these two but the 4C's not important here because this is the battle of the relatives, although I can use it as a benchmark.



With the 4C set a 1:51.122 lap time, the goal is for these two is to get as close to the time set by it, but sadly, none of them can match the 4C's because it's too darn quick for its own. Still, I can get on with the main event where two Hiroshima-born relatives will settle the score once and for all at the Laguna Seca. This will be a match between power and lightness and because the 124 and the MX-5 are on equal footing, this could be very one-sided.

Time to get this show on the roll...


And now, the moment of truth...

124 - 1:58.495
MX-5 ND - 1:58.799

I called it. It really is a close call for these two because with the 124's grunt and the MX-5 lightness, the result is as close as the Senate majority and I am very shocked that even in the most powerful 124 Abarth, the driving experience is as same as the less powerful but light top-spec variant of the MX-5 and I will never forget this kind of experience.



No matter how many Italian lessons this Japan-born roadster has learn, it still behaves like a lightweight Japanese car and in the case of the most powerful 124 variant, the Abarth, it still behaves like the top-spec MX-5 variant and because of such close result, it's hard to decide which one is the victor, although I had to admit that it was a hollow victory for the 124 Spider Abarth, but a pinch on the result really makes a big difference between the two byproducts of the Axis Powers. Looks like I'm quaking my sitting muscle right about now but I'm glad I put these two for a close match. Speaking of which, I had a little surprise for the 124...







Italian lessons really payed off!

GT SPORT: Be a driver.

Mazda is known for making some of the liveliest vehicles on the road that combine thought-provoking design, impressive fuel efficiency, and rewarding driving pleasure courtesy of the Japanese car company's SKYACTIV Technology which blends the ideal balance of performance and efficiency at the same time. In a game like GT SPORT, there are two SKYACTIV Mazdas you can try in the game such as the third-generation Mazda Atenza (Mazda6) saloon and the fourth-generation Mazda Roadster (MX-5).



First, let's begin with the Atenza, known to the world market as the Mazda6. The third-generation Atenza was launched in late 2012 and the exterior design draws inspiration from the Takeri Concept as seen on the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. One of the most interesting bits about the third-generation Atenza is that it comes with a choice of a 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine (PE-VPR) and this, a 2.2L SKYACTIV-D (SH-VPTR) clean diesel engine lifted from the CX-5 crossover, producing 175PS of power and fuel economy by JC08 standards of 20km/L (22.4km/L with the all new SKYACTIV-MT transmission), making it one of the most efficient midsize saloons on the market. It is the first to introduce a new kind of Regenerative Braking System called i-ELOOP and i-ACTIVSENSE, which is a series of Mazda's advanced safety technologies designed to aid the driver in recognizing hazards, avoiding collisions, and reducing the severity of accidents when they cannot be avoided.



This particular Atenza is not the Atenza we fell in love with in 2012. In fact, this is the facelifted version that was launched in Japan in early 2015. It's been given a refreshed exterior design, and a new interior featuring Mazda Connect, and that's it. What it still retains is the choice of engines, especially the strong-selling diesel variant that I'm driving now, and even with a different face, it's still the Atenza we fell in love with since 2012. Just by experiencing how the SKYACTIV magic feels in this midsize saloon, it's surprisingly lively even for a cheesy oil burner like this one and it feels so easy to drive even for newcomers to GT SPORT.

For a car garnering so many awards and accolades, the third-generation Mazda Atenza really woos the drivers with its perfect balance of style, efficiency, and performance, nothing that you can really expect for a midsize saloon of this magnitude.



Now, what about the fourth-generation Roadster? Launched in 2015, the ND-spec Mazda Roadster (MX-5) continues the predecessors' tradition of valuing aerodynamics over performance, something that draws inspiration from British sports cars of the past. With the lighter bodywork, smaller engine, and rear-wheel drive, the Roadster continues to impress numerous car enthusiasts worldwide and with this latest generation, the ND Roadster still impresses the new wave of car enthusiasts.

Weighing 100kg less than the previous model, the new Roadster is as light as the first-ever Eunos Roadster of 1989, courtesy of their "gram strategy", involving the extensive use of lightweight aluminum materials. In true Roadster tradition, it's powered by a smaller SKYACTIV-G 1.5L petrol engine developing a reasonable 131PS of power and 150Nm of torque while mated with either a 6-speed automatic or a newly-developed SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed gearbox developed specifically for the new Roadster.



Because of the classic Roadster recipe that has been around for two and a half decades, the Mazda Roadster ND really is a celebration of the past rather than a vision of the future and you can tell from its unique dynamics that makes anyone new to the driving genre a courtesy call to be part of this ever-growing trend. It can be a bit bitey because it's rear-wheel drive but when it comes to understanding how to drive a car in GT SPORT, the Roadster is all about welcoming new drivers with open arms.

So, now that we get to know about the SKYACTIV-powered Mazdas in GT SPORT, how about getting to know these cars better by sending them on a lap around the Indy Circuit layout of Brands Hatch? This should be interesting and scientific because a certain Mazda fan forced me to do so after all that jamming down those Mazda-related articles to his Mazda files. Let's see if he can jam this one.



As you may know, the Roadster is much more enjoyable to drive than the Atenza because it's lighter but because the Atenza's SKYACTIV-D engine that powers it produces more power than the Roadster, this is going to be a one-sided comparison between the two Mazdas. Anyway, no time for fast talk because it's time to put these two into action.


Both these Mazdas benefit from their SKYACTIV Technology, making them very rewarding to drive from start to finish, but even though the Roadster is very easy to drive, the Atenza's diesel engine gave it a lot of oomph and a lot of aah to go through the extra mile. With the dust settled, time for the results;

Atenza - 1:02.853
Roadster - 1:05.5

The businessman's saloon has beaten the sportscar by about two and a half seconds and that sounds uncanny but worth the shot driving two Mazdas benefitting the ideal balance SKYACTIV Technology possesses.



With the Atenza and the Roadster, Mazda sure knows how to make cars that can liven up the drivers' sense as if they know how to put the drivers' interests first before everything else. Even on the wrong path, Mazdas remain very engaging to drive and live it to the slogan, these cars make you want to "be a driver." And that is the bottom line.