Mazda MX-5 Jota vs Toyota GT86

摘要

Had you forgotten about the Mazda MX-5? It's such an apologetic little car, isn't it? Doesn't want to make a fuss, just wants to have fun in its own quiet, mousy way. It used to be part of our collective consciousness, a vibrant retro-roadster, but in recent years Mazda has seemingly been content to let it slide into the background as fresher, newer rivals arrived. Rivals such as the Toyota GT86, for instance. We made such a fuss of this car when it turned up: light, agile, small, skinny wheels, naturally aspirated power, accessible handling, sweet steering. So carried away were we that we failed to appreciate that Mazda had been true to this same formula without hesitation or deviation since 1989. They'd even thrown top-down potential into the mix. But Mazda has always avoided doing anything fruity to enliven the MX-5. No forced induction, no rude noises, no belly-scraping ride height. Nothing, in short, to turn the previously timid, polite roadster into any sort of road 'weapon'. Until now, of course.