Top Gear USA is back for its second season and, after watching the first two episodes of The Car Show, we were hoping it would start off with a bang. Unfortunately, it was more like a muffled beep.
The only segment in the first episode of the season was a series of challenges trying to convince viewers that pick-up trucks could be replaced by two-door models. The guys ended up choosing a Ford Maverick, a BMW 335E, and a Mazda Miata as their specimens. The challenges were a bit eventful and a little humorous, but overall a bit disappointing.
Maybe Top Gear USA was trying to move away from the mirror image segments from the original Top Gear, but this path was not the right one. We just hope that the next episode adds a bit more oomph because, for the first episode of the season, we thought more could have been done to convince viewers that this was the car show to watch.
Hit the jump for all the details on Top Gear USA Season 2 Episode 1 Full story
The essence and beauty of the Mazda MX-5 lies in its small sports car body and engine. Lately, however, it seems as if bigger is getting continually better and Australian native, George Covacic, is showing proof of that with his highly modified MX-5 Bullet Roadster. According to Covacic, this particular model is the fifth Roadster that was built in the late 90s and the first to feature a V8 engine (all original Bullet Roadsters carried the RX-7 13B powerplant from the Mazda RX7). As of right now, all we can do is take his word for it, but if that’s all you need then this model is currently on sale for $46,191.
The 4.6L all-alloy, fuel injected V8 engine found in this Bullet Roadster was supplied by Covacic himself and came mated to a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission. Covacic also contributed the differential from a Holden Commodore SS, but the brakes and suspension - like the original Bullets - came from a Mazda RX-7. As of right now, the Covacic Bullet only has 10,008 miles on it.
As for the non-technical stats, this particular Bullet comes in a "Grace Green" with a black leather interior and features a number of elements that were considered very high end at the time of its release. These include 17-inch alloys, air conditioning, power windows, and an Alpine CD stereo sound system, as well as a Momo steering wheel, shift knob, and drilled pedals.
Mazda is celebrating their entrance into the Guinness Book of World Records with the launch of the special edition Record Series MX-5. This special edition will be offered in two versions: black (limited to only 120 units) and white (produced exclusively by the Italian branch of the house of Hiroshima).
The Black Record Series model will be powered by a 1.8-liter engine that delivers 126 HP and is paired with five-speed manual gearbox. It will be painted in Sparkling Black combined with a glossy finish for the wheels, chrome handles for the doors and frames, and silver and chrome-ringed fog lamps for the front grille. The interior will get light gray leather and will offer a radio with a CD player and MP3 player, Aux jack, six speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The White Record Series model will get a 2.0 liter engine with 160 HP, paired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Its exterior will be painted in a Chrystal White Pearl color which contrasts with the black Recaro leather interior. This version will be focused on sport, so it will add a sport suspension and limited slip rear differential, while the inside offers a premium Bose audio system with 6 CD charger, seven speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Mazda is going to compete in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011 with a lightweight MX-5 GT. The model has been created in cooperation with Tunbridge Wells-based Jota Sport and weights only 1873 lbs.
"The MX-5 production race car’s modest power output, bullet proof reliability and nimble handling demonstrated last year how the MX-5 can be competitive against some of the purpose-built Lotus, VW and BMW race cars. With a higher power output combined with the durability, reliability and handling attributes that the MX-5 is renowned for; the MX-5 GT race car will be strong contender against the more powerful race cars in its class," said Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK.
The MX-5 GT will be driven by two Mazda works drivers including experienced Mazda racing driver, Mark Ticehurst and racing driver, Owen Mildenhall.
UPDATE 08/19/11: Mazda has come out with a new video featuring the MX5-GT taking a hot lap around the world famous Spa Francorchamps race track in Belgium. The video is hosted by Mark Ticehurst as he pilots his little sportster around the track. Check it out!
Hit the jump to read more about the Mazda MX-5 GT.
Full story
Back in 1991, Japanese automaker Mazda made history as the first Japanese automaker to win the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans. On the strength of the Mazda 787B No.55 and driven by the team of Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler, and Bertrand Gachot, Mazda’s ’91 Le Mans victory served notice to the world that the Japanese are more than capable of being competitive in the world stage.
Twenty years after their remarkable victory, the Japanese automaker is releasing a limited edition MX-5 Miata, which they’ve appropriately billed as the ’55 Le Mans Edition’. Available only in Switzerland, the special edition MX-5 comes in four different exterior color finishes – red, gray, white, and black – with contrasting profile strips that run the length of the sides of the car. On top of that, Mazda also gave the car a new Bilstein sports suspension, a front strut bar, a limited slip differential (LSD), and a set of 10-spoke alloy wheels. Inside, Mazda dressed up the special edition MX-5 with bespoke ‘55 Le Mans’ logos to go with a numbered plaque to designate its production number.
No performance upgrades where given to the MX-5, which means that it comes with the same 2.0-liter engine that produces 160 horsepower mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
While it sucks that the ’55 Le Mans Edition’ MX-5 will only be available in Switzerland, we can still objectively say that even with a minimal dress-up, the Mazda MX-5 Miata still looks pretty damn good.
