Driving This Amazing Miata Till Wednesday

"Travis Okulski" (travis)
08/11/2013 at 14:58 • Filed to: Jalopnik Reviews, Test Drive

100

It's the Super20, Mazda's SEMA concept from 2010. It's wonderful. Anything you must know?

DISCUSSION (100)

Blondude > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 14:59

Can I have it?

ChemicalCutthroat > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 14:59

Stock motor or has it been pumped full of fun things for fun times?

Travis Okulski > Blondude
08/11/2013 at 15:00

Sure.

CB > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 15:01

Is it better than a regular Miata?

What's the fuel economy like?

Will it baby?

Travis Okulski > ChemicalCutthroat
08/11/2013 at 15:01

Fun things for fun times. It's supercharged and worked on by Cosworth and Flyin' Miata. They don't have official power numbers, but estimates put it around 250 horse. Probably similar torque.

Blondude > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 15:01

Woohoo!

Desu-San-Desu > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 15:01

Do the widebody fender flares and blacked out hardtop and wheels decrease the amount of hairdresser assumptions/comments?

Travis Okulski > CB
08/11/2013 at 15:01

It's better than a regular NC.

Fuel economy is shit. Not sure on the exact number, but it's supercharged and I haven't been babying it.

It will not baby.

Travis Okulski > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2013 at 15:03

Yeah, it gets looks from everyone. Male/female, adult/child, dog/cat, it doesn't matter.

Nerd-Vol > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 15:03

Does it do a good burnout?

Desu-San-Desu > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 15:05

"Looks" is a very vague, non-specific noun, without any elaboration on the positive or negative nature of said looks.

Blondude > Nerd-Vol
08/11/2013 at 15:05

If this happens I'm gonna need some SR-20.

Travis Okulski > Nerd-Vol
08/11/2013 at 15:05

I haven't tried since it's a one-off concept car on R-compound rubber that I really don't want to hurt. I kinda doubt it would.

Travis Okulski > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2013 at 15:06

Sorry, most have been positive. Yesterday it got a lot of thumbs up and nods of approval. Or nods of disdain. One of the two.

Michael Ballaban > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 15:32

Kinja'd!!!

I took this picture while at SEMA. Is she still oh-so-purdy?

Takuro Spirit > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 15:53

Why are so many journalists driving it all of a sudden? Is Mazda thinking of making a hard core NC as a last hurrah before the ND/Alfa comes out next year?

Tom McParland > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 15:58

Being that you are a Miata maniac, will you still be writing for Jalopnik when you flee to Mexico with this car?

Travis Okulski > Takuro Spirit
08/11/2013 at 16:07

I think it's because they offered to let journalists drive it, and it isn't everyday we get a chance in a one off concept car. When the opportunity comes, everyone jumps at it.

Travis Okulski > Michael Ballaban
08/11/2013 at 16:07

She's got some rock and stone chips now. But yes. She is wonderful.

Travis Okulski > Tom McParland
08/11/2013 at 16:09

Kinja'd!!!

Yes. But not as Travis Okulski.

Say hello to Miguel Sanchez!

D > Takuro Spirit
08/11/2013 at 16:31

Maybe Mazda will top off the NC with a Mazdapeed version, featuring the same Cossie supercharger. That would be a perfect world.

MrHands1 > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 16:50

Please don't use a filter next time. I would love to see the details of the car without the hipster shades.

Travis Okulski > MrHands1
08/11/2013 at 16:52

Wasn't expecting a front page repost, give me 5 and I'll change the pic.

Cheesewhiz > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 16:53

Nice — Hope you got to see the artifacts in R&D's basement too! It's always great to see that car getting used. The PR folks do enjoy having it out there!

Viperfan1 > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 16:57

Count how many times you get told "you need to lower it bro".

Patronsilver > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 16:58

I own Miata # 000194 I had a 1988 Twin Turbo Rx-7 at the time and with 500 dollar deposit, my dealer in Orlando, Florida called me and said they had 3 in ... come get one. By the time I got there only the Blue one was left, and I have been glad I got the Blue one... Great car... no issues all these years. It has 107K on it now .. I hav recently refreshed all shocks, tires, wheels, brakes, top, stereo, and had a speed shop go through the motor and tranny... We use it about 600 miles per year and plan to will it to one of the few relatives we have that we like.

Patronsilver

Lloyd-Anthony D Peters > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 16:58

Does it baby?

F40LM > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:00

Could you buy all the parts and build your own?

Jason Torchinsky > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:04

That thing looks fun. I'm a big fan of the color scheme.

daender > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:09

Maybe an impromptu autocross course using dollar-store chalk, a few dozen soda cans, and an empty parking lot? Also another Miata to benchmark against?

PowerFlower > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:11

Kinja'd!!!

TheHondaBro > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:11

Kinja'd!!!

I prefer the Superlight

word-is-bond > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:14

I know what they were going for, black arches, black tires, black wheels. Gimme some goddamn contrast. Just looks like a pair of gaping holes.

Idiocracy > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:19

No car guy should ever describe a Miata as 'wonderful' or 'amazing' unless he does so privately at brunch with his boyfriend. Seriously dude. You gotta stop with the Miata nonsense.

$kaycog > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:22

Is it a chick magnet? Are you fighting off the girls?

Odie > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:25

What kind of suspension? How is the balance between handling and everyday livability?

inefficient > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:26

Kinja'd!!!

Too much roof.

I've decided I prefer my sports cars like I prefer my waitstaff: Topless.

472CID > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:27

Why don't they put the MS3 engine in these again? Is it just too good of an idea?

360ad > Desu-San-Desu
08/11/2013 at 17:29

Nope. Because you can't fix stupid.

360ad > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:30

Why is Mazda passing this around among the journalists? Are they compiling opinions in order to nail down traits for the upcoming new car?

Hifrequency > Nerd-Vol
08/11/2013 at 17:38

454 under the hood?

DayWooTang > $kaycog
08/11/2013 at 17:42

Well the color is right at least!

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:43

How much horsepower do the stripes on the sides add, bro?

TyFc3s-A car hating millennial > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:45

There will be a full review, right?

DropTopEnvy > 472CID
08/11/2013 at 17:48

It would probably take some reworking since the MS3 is front wheel drive and the engine is transversely mounted, whereas the Miata is rear wheel drive and the engine is longitudinally mounted..

DropTopEnvy > F40LM
08/11/2013 at 17:49

This. This is on all our minds, and I think yes, as long as you are a mazdaspeed racer, but don't take my word for it.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 17:53

Well I guess I know what country I'll be car "shopping" in.

RyanFrew > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 18:06

You're driving a car with R Compounds on the street??

Built BMW Tough > TheHondaBro
08/11/2013 at 18:10

Who is driving it?! Somebody stop it, before it gets injured!

nafsucof > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 18:15

Kinja'd!!!

My cats wouldn't look. They like red better. I'd look though.

nafsucof > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 18:18

Where and how is it registered? I'm glad it stayed together and is roadworthy. Is there any truth in some sema cars being vin-less and undrivable?

472CID > DropTopEnvy
08/11/2013 at 18:55

Reworking sure, but it's the same basic engine. Just a different displacement and no turbocharger.

I guess they're going to discontinue that line of engines anyway and replace them with their "Skyactiv" stuff, so the point is a bit moot.

65corvette > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 19:11

ive been in love with this car ever since i watched the drive video on it. Now begins the cheap nc search to make my dream a reality

65corvette > F40LM
08/11/2013 at 19:19

Yes! pretty much everything besides the body work and wheels are included in this package: http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?dept…

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 19:26

Will it drift?

cars-mfers-cars > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 19:38

Love the car, saw it at SEMA also, even drooled on the hardtop. Whatever reason Mazda's rolling this through the editor mills, I'm glad. Loved it then, love it now. would make an awesome send off for the NC.

So, here's my question, do you think a triple rotary engine would make it better?

MrHands1 > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 19:40

Holy shit, no way? Thanks!!

protodad > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 19:59

Yes, where is the 2013 version that I can pick up?

Oh yea, and what kind of POWAAAHHH!!!

techinsanity2011 > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
08/11/2013 at 20:10

Will it Baby?

punksmurph > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:12

Is this the same Miata at Cars and Coffee on Saturday?

Kinja'd!!!

japanophile25 > TheHondaBro
08/11/2013 at 20:14

That car is going awfully fast for a car with no driver, Christine reincarnated?

Haha, reinCARnated. I'll see myself out.

Teeson1111 > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
08/11/2013 at 20:19

Will it Blend?

Doug Nash > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:23

Really pretty. Very wide, and extremely yellow and black.

A question: Does it still have the 34hp engine as stock?

Doug Nash > Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
08/11/2013 at 20:25

eleventy-billion...and that's before vtec kicks in...yo

Travis Okulski > punksmurph
08/11/2013 at 20:26

Yep. And I was the guy who drove it there.

Travis Okulski > Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
08/11/2013 at 20:27

All the horsepower.

LoneStarSpeed > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:28

What's the tire size/kind?

Travis Okulski > nafsucof
08/11/2013 at 20:28

It's in California on manufacturer tags. I have no clue how it passed emissions or is registered. I also don't really care, because it happened and I'm not gonna ask.

Travis Okulski > protodad
08/11/2013 at 20:29

Doesn't exist. Rumor is it has about 250 horse, but Mazda hasn't released an official number.

Travis Okulski > TyFc3s-A car hating millennial
08/11/2013 at 20:29

Full write up this week.

Travis Okulski > Viperfan1
08/11/2013 at 20:30

0 so far.

Travis Okulski > $kaycog
08/11/2013 at 20:30

Even more chicks than normal. It's crazy.

Travis Okulski > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
08/11/2013 at 20:30

Probably. I don't do that on the road though.

Travis Okulski > TheHondaBro
08/11/2013 at 20:30

Ok.

Travis Okulski > Idiocracy
08/11/2013 at 20:31

No car guy would think like you do about a Miata.

Travis Okulski > cars-mfers-cars
08/11/2013 at 20:31

Yes. Yes I do.

Travis Okulski > Cheesewhiz
08/11/2013 at 20:32

I'm hoping to get in there tomorrow or Tuesday.

Travis Okulski > Doug Nash
08/11/2013 at 20:32

Supercharged 2.0. Supposedly has about 250 horse.

Travis Okulski > 360ad
08/11/2013 at 20:32

Because Mazda gets it and they know what we like.

Travis Okulski > LoneStarSpeed
08/11/2013 at 20:33

I believe they're 245/45 16s. Toyo RA-1s.

Travis Okulski > Lloyd-Anthony D Peters
08/11/2013 at 20:33

No.

Travis Okulski > Odie
08/11/2013 at 20:35

Mazdaspeed coilovers. It's livable on the road, but not really all that comfortable. I'm going on some canyon roads over the next few days to really try out the handling.

Doug Nash > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:37

Oh. Well. Pardon my snarky-ass comment. Carry on.

I guess they donated the factory motor to Craftsman for their weed-whackers?

Roadster Man > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:38

Do it in the parking lot. C'MON!!!

J-Tenno > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:39

What's with the Yellow cars lately?

Any idea will an aftermarket company make those flares and other touches and go-fast-bits and sell them?

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:39

Is it as magical as I imagine?

Burt > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:39

If there's one thing I must know, it's the address the car will be at the next time it will be left unattended in an area with no surveillance equipment. I think it needs a "surprise adoption" and it would be a blast to drive at the autocross in two weeks. (it'll be my first) That would require me to be able to efficiently use a manual though..

punksmurph > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:42

I would have said hi when you were at the car but you seemed to be in a conversation, this is a shot I took with my Google Glass when I first got there.

$kaycog > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:42

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give you an 11 for that reply. I can't stop laughing!

Roadster Man > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:45

Serious questions:

How is the clutch?

What size are the wheels/tires?

cars-mfers-cars > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:46

Miata, love the car, as a whole. However, in isolation, the engine is almost lackluster. To me, the Miata is a bespoke car, a halo. That car deserves an updated triple rotary to polish the Miata's halo to a heavenly brilliance.

Cheesewhiz > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:51

Good! Enjoy it.

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:54

Hella fast, bro.

Jebus > Travis Okulski
08/11/2013 at 20:56

Best, and most appropriate reference and response.