Automakers today are competing in an arms race to see who can engineer the most powerful engines with the best efficiency and technologies that make even the Samsung Galaxy Note seem primordial.
As a result of that struggle, we get cars that feel more like computers. Don't get us wrong, it's nice at times not having to worry about parking in tight spaces because the car's camera and warning systems will assist you with that but more often than not, that amount of assistive technology takes the fun away from driving.
I woke up last Friday knowing that it was going to be a good day. Those positive vibes weren't caused by waking up on the right side of the bed or because a freshly brewed cup of coffee was waiting for me the moment I got out of the shower. No. I knew that my Friday was going to be great because it would be spent behind the wheel of Mazda's all new MX-5.
Now in its fourth generation and code named ND, the Mazda MX-5 is one of a dying breed of cars that are naturally aspirated and built for one purpose and one reason only - for pure driving pleasure.
Being a technophobe, I usually spend about 10 minutes in modern cars trying to figure out which button does what. But in the MX-5, I adjusted my seat, steering and mirrors well under five and was ready to greet the open roads.
Exterior
According to Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama, the ND MX-5 was crafted with a little more masculinity in mind to ditch its cutesy 'hairdresser's car' image while maintaining its compact shape.
As a result of that struggle, we get cars that feel more like computers. Don't get us wrong, it's nice at times not having to worry about parking in tight spaces because the car's camera and warning systems will assist you with that but more often than not, that amount of assistive technology takes the fun away from driving.
I woke up last Friday knowing that it was going to be a good day. Those positive vibes weren't caused by waking up on the right side of the bed or because a freshly brewed cup of coffee was waiting for me the moment I got out of the shower. No. I knew that my Friday was going to be great because it would be spent behind the wheel of Mazda's all new MX-5.
Now in its fourth generation and code named ND, the Mazda MX-5 is one of a dying breed of cars that are naturally aspirated and built for one purpose and one reason only - for pure driving pleasure.
Being a technophobe, I usually spend about 10 minutes in modern cars trying to figure out which button does what. But in the MX-5, I adjusted my seat, steering and mirrors well under five and was ready to greet the open roads.
Exterior
According to Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama, the ND MX-5 was crafted with a little more masculinity in mind to ditch its cutesy 'hairdresser's car' image while maintaining its compact shape.
Not only did that shift in design direction create the sharpest looking MX-5 in its 26-year history but also makes it easily recognisable as a Mazda since it shares the same 'KODO: Soul Of Motion' design cues as the rest of the company's fleet.
The MX-5 is the type of car that almost immediately captures your heart and stirs your soul from whichever angle you approach.
Mazda's redesigned lowered bonnet and pulled back A-pillars give the car a lower and wider stance while an aggressively styled pair of LED headlamps acuminate to the large front grille.
But it is the MX-5's perky rear end that really tickles Nakayama's fancy and we thoroughly feel the same way. Together with its low-slung proportions and bulged fenders, the MX-5 creates a picture perfect fluid silhouette.
The MX-5 is the type of car that almost immediately captures your heart and stirs your soul from whichever angle you approach.
Mazda's redesigned lowered bonnet and pulled back A-pillars give the car a lower and wider stance while an aggressively styled pair of LED headlamps acuminate to the large front grille.
But it is the MX-5's perky rear end that really tickles Nakayama's fancy and we thoroughly feel the same way. Together with its low-slung proportions and bulged fenders, the MX-5 creates a picture perfect fluid silhouette.
Interior
Mazda has done a fantastic job with the interior designs of its current fleet and we'd go as far as to say that aside from Lexus, they are currently the best automotive interior designers out of Japan.
Everything in the MX-5 is built with ergonomics in mind and in line with the company's Jinba Ittai design credo. For those who aren't sure, that loosely translates into English as 'horse and rider as one'.
As part of this credo, the cockpit of the MX-5 comfortably accommodates two full-stature occupants with no wasted space. Fit and finish of both leather and plastic surfaces are pleasing and there are just enough slots and spaces to store items from wallets to water bottles.
Mazda has done a fantastic job with the interior designs of its current fleet and we'd go as far as to say that aside from Lexus, they are currently the best automotive interior designers out of Japan.
Everything in the MX-5 is built with ergonomics in mind and in line with the company's Jinba Ittai design credo. For those who aren't sure, that loosely translates into English as 'horse and rider as one'.
As part of this credo, the cockpit of the MX-5 comfortably accommodates two full-stature occupants with no wasted space. Fit and finish of both leather and plastic surfaces are pleasing and there are just enough slots and spaces to store items from wallets to water bottles.
Our only gripe with the design of the cockpit is its lack of adjustability in steering wheel rake and seating height. For a car focused so heavily on the driver, it was a little disappointing that such features were left out.
Thankfully, even for vertically challenged individuals like myself, there was no trouble looking over the steering.
Occupants do, however, get an exclusive Bose sound system that is integrated into the both the driver's and passenger's headrests for optimum sound quality even with the top down.
Along with the audio comforts is Mazda's MZD Connect - a 7.0-inch centre display screen that allows access to the usual multimedia interfaces.
The Drive
Fun is the name of the MX-5's game and if you leave the experience without a smile across your face then you're probably in the wrong car.
Mazda has decided to add a bit of brawn to the ND MX-5 for power hungry drivers who still want a lightweight roadster that prioritises handling. Although it may not seem like much, the car's 2.0-litre in-line four motor that produces 158bhp and 200Nm is capable enough to get the 1,057kg (100kg lighter than before) zipping around town with ease.
As the car fires up with an enthusiastic exhaust note that gradually grows into a heavily intake-infused soundtrack upon acceleration, getting from 'nought to hundred' will take a reasonable 7.3 seconds but that's 7.3 seconds of your life well spent.
The first thing we noticed when driving the MX-5 is how comfortable and functional the driving position is - a posture inspired by Harley Davidson riders. From gripping the steering to the shifting of the gears, every movement seems natural and you never quite want to stop driving.When the weather finally allowed us to go topless, the lightweight soft-top unlatched and was folded back down in a matter of 10 seconds. This is when the fun really begins.We then decided to get out of the city and into the twisty roads of Neo Tiew to experience the MX-5's famed handling capabilities.
Fun is the name of the MX-5's game and if you leave the experience without a smile across your face then you're probably in the wrong car.
Mazda has decided to add a bit of brawn to the ND MX-5 for power hungry drivers who still want a lightweight roadster that prioritises handling. Although it may not seem like much, the car's 2.0-litre in-line four motor that produces 158bhp and 200Nm is capable enough to get the 1,057kg (100kg lighter than before) zipping around town with ease.
As the car fires up with an enthusiastic exhaust note that gradually grows into a heavily intake-infused soundtrack upon acceleration, getting from 'nought to hundred' will take a reasonable 7.3 seconds but that's 7.3 seconds of your life well spent.
The first thing we noticed when driving the MX-5 is how comfortable and functional the driving position is - a posture inspired by Harley Davidson riders. From gripping the steering to the shifting of the gears, every movement seems natural and you never quite want to stop driving.When the weather finally allowed us to go topless, the lightweight soft-top unlatched and was folded back down in a matter of 10 seconds. This is when the fun really begins.We then decided to get out of the city and into the twisty roads of Neo Tiew to experience the MX-5's famed handling capabilities.
Shift the car into Sport mode, manually overwrite the six-speed automatic transmission, and the car instantly feels more alive and ready to rock. In Normal mode with the transmission fully on automatic, the MX-5 doesn't seem very eager to rev and that dampens the experience a little.
While taking the MX-5 through Neo Tiew's twists and turns, its ability to remain balanced no matter how hard or late you brake, really shines through. Although there is slight body roll - which has been a characteristic of the MX-5, the suspension settings are firm enough to inspire confidence and together with Mazda's SKYACTIV chassis, feels like an extremely tight package.
The car's steering plays a huge role as well. Point it in whatever direction you want and the car's response is immediate and precise. It's always a pleasure to have a well-weighted steering that allows you to feel the road and the MX-5's is one of the best we've had our hands on. It's no wonder this Japanese roadster is such a hit amongst drivers both young and old.
Conclusion
Some may argue that the MX-5's $165,888 (as of 7th December 2015) price tag may seem illogical compared to Mazda's larger cars like the 6 but you can never really put a price on fun nor measure it with logic. It's huge fun in a small package that reminds us why we enjoy driving.
The MX-5 is the sort of car every driver should experience at least once in their lives. If you feel that you need something to smile about at any point of your life, go get an MX-5. Should my finances allow it, I too would love to relive my Friday in the MX-5 for the rest of my life.
