Mazda comes up with worst idea ever: the MX-5 with AWD
Posted on 03-02-2016 at 10:03 by CasperH – 52 Comments”
There are but three reasons to be a MX-5 to buy. Rear wheel drive, light weight and relative affordability. Why should we on earth for weight-adding, expensive, creating all-wheel drive in an MX-5 would, Mazda?
The Mazda MX-5: loved by many, is probably overestimated by even more. Of course it is rear wheel drive in a relatively affordable roadster is a great idea, but there are quite a few people that the “the best stuurmansauto ever”. It is a nice car, but swim more fish in the sea, shall we say.
Anyway, the last news which reached us about this kooky roadstertje is a stranger: an MX-5 with all-wheel drive would include, according to an engineer at Mazda. In interview with Car Advice, let Tetsushi Marutani (Assistant Manager for Drivetrain and Powertrain Development at Mazda) know that an MX-5 with all wheel drive belongs to the possibilities. Now I understand that a car with serious gripproblemen on the rear wheels (we call it a Jaguar F-Type or Mercedes AMG’S) or four-wheel drive can use, but why you do it in an underpowered lightweight sports car like the MX-5 would apply is a mystery to me.
Four wheel drive is heavy due to the extra drive shafts and associated odds and ends that are needed. Especially in a car with such a low weight seems that killing for pleasure. Another disadvantage is that it is still harder to get traction with the rear wheels to break loose. In standaardtrim is on a dry road surface, sometimes difficult to get with single driven rear wheels, let alone that lost power also to the front wheels is directed. And as last: extra technique and more weight means more expensive.
In short: do not, Mazda. But do not.
Gallery: Mazda MX-5 (ND)
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