I travel to 120 km/h on a highway but between the noise, the slight headache and how stuck I go to the ground, I feel faster. I don’t need to go faster, we are fine as we are. There is little left. Just a few kilometers to take the detour to the right and take away a moment in the first town of the Madrid Sierra that is presented to us.
It is summer. Still. The sun has not fallen at all but those days of summer decline have already made their appearance. Of somewhat lazy afternoons. Days when the sunset seems to have eaten a quarter of an hour a day before. Of pleasant fresh after a truly infernal August.
That is why I stop to the side and leave the central console button tight. I pierce how this Mazda MX-5 is cleared when it separates its retractable roof. He does it in seconds but without hurry. There is no hurry. None.
A present that knows past
It is exactly what Mazda had in mind when At the edge of the 90s he presented his Mazda MX-5. His Miata.
The 80s were characterized by a wild evolution among sports. The turbo put the market above With irrational options at that time. Small missiles like Peugeot 205 or the Renault 5 in turn. At the end of the 80s, the hegemony of Japanese sports. In the early 90s, the Japanese had in hand Authentic supercar.
At the same time, a small company did what has been best: go to his air. In full race for power and total traction, Mazda put on the table A small convertible that will resume the philosophy of those of Roadster English with Japanese reliability. It was not, much less, the fastest. Nor did I want to be.
His philosophy was the same as today. And although the proven unit does have a clear more aggressive approach, in essence it remains a car sustained by basic and solid pillars: lightness and low price.
More than 35 years after their first presentation, the pillars are sustained. Is a 35,000,000 euros car a expensive car? Unfortunately, if you want an alternative to Mazda MX-5 it does not exist. It is the last of its kind. Find a convertible, manual and rear -wheel drive. I have time and I know the answer. The closest thing is a Mini Cabrio But it weighs 300 kg more and has automatic change. Ah, and it’s front traction.
He Miata He comes directly from the past and threatens to stay there. Its 142 gr/km of CO2 seem an environmental attack if we take into account that the objective of Europe is to be below 93.6 gr/km of CO2 in the average emission for 2027. If Mazda does not want to receive fines, many electric ones have to sell (The count with plug -in hybrids is no longer so favorable). That or join those who point to zero emissions.
With a horizon to choose between electric or millmillionary fines, Mazda MX-5 is a car in danger in extinction. Because its formula is a thing of the past. We have reached a point where the car small, light and enjoyable It seems not to exist. The electric sweeps with the light format. Let’s not say with the pleasure of stepping clutch, move the gear lever and lift your left foot to the rhythm that the right progresses.
Know in the past. We will see if it is not there.
There is no hurry
The MX-5 is particular.
Of course, it is not fast. The unity we have between hands comes with a 1.5 Gasoline Motor of 132 hp and manual change. In a market that has been filled with engines driven by excessive power jets (not to mention electrical versions), those 132 hp might seem ridiculous.
And they will be for those who seek to cross the car or go with the knife between the teeth. But this is not the approach of Miata. The MX-5 was born to be enjoyed calmly. It is food in a good restaurant where everything comes in due time. Far from the hamburger binge and fried potatoes devoured in 15 minutes. Eye, the second can give us a higher happiness peak, the first is sustained over time.
You enjoy seeing how the curve approaches, you reduce one or two marches and step on the accelerator at the exit to stretch an atmospheric engine of those that no longer remain. Without the push of the turbo, enjoying how the needle exceeds the position of the 6,000 rpm with a pleasant linearity.
But the best quality of the small Mazda toy is deceive you. Free, play with change and direct the car where you want to feel you are fast. Nothing is further from reality. The noise of being converted, driving from the ground and a minimum asylum are his pious lies. No, don’t circulate fast, it just seems.
You do not need good hands to enjoy with the Japanese Roadster and that is a delight for those looking for a car for enjoyable the weekend and, if their circumstances or family allow it, keep it as a daily car. Because that approach away from radicalisms makes the MX-5 be sold as a car for day to day.
Especially to enjoy without objection in the most bland journeys, while one weekend you allow yourself to leave without the remorse of being missing a machine that would take much more split in a circuit. It is something that can happen to you with any of the most sporty compact at this time. Practical in day to day but missiles difficult to govern the weekend.
I think about this while the car supports and changes the cast of pesos smoothly, while curves link. Brake a little and let a car that comes in the opposite direction. A SUV as another one of those that are sold in our country. Now I really have the feeling of traveling aboard a toy. My head is at the height of its front lights.
I don’t want to think what would happen in case of accident. I quickly forget on the journey of the next town. There are hardly elderly at the door of the house. They smile when seeing the car. Maybe by the car, maybe for my smile.
It is time to return home, go to the boring highway and fold the roof.
Tomorrow is day of mourning.
Tomorrow it’s time to return the car.
Photos | Xataka
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