"carwitter" (carwitter)
03/22/2014 at 17:20 • Filed to: Mazda, Miata, MX5, Jota
3
0|
"carwitter" (carwitter)
03/22/2014 at 17:20 • Filed to: Mazda, Miata, MX5, Jota | 3
| 0 |
So you like Mazda MX5’s…no you love Mazda MX5’s well we have something a little bit special!
Jota, renowned Le Mans and GT motorsport company came up with the Jota MX5 GT Concept in 2012.
A year later and it saw the light of day, along the way it lost its turbo and some of the beefy styling but its here nonetheless.
Running the standard 2.0 litre engine from the 150 BHP model we tested last year, it has now been fettled to produce 203 BHP and 217 Nm of Torque.
This means the 0-60 time drops to 6.4 seconds! Not bad, but that performance comes at a cost, £29,999 in fact.
The outside of the Jota MX5 GT gets some smart anthracite alloys, a carbon fibre rear diffuser and centrally mounted exhaust.
Our model featured a few upgrades – a carbon fibre rear spoiler and carbon front splitters at each corner.
Subtle small changes, but overall they make the MX5 look meaner and more purposeful.
That carbon rear diffuser isn’t for show either, it helps with aerodynamics at higher speeds.
As soon as you turn the key you realise you are in something with far more sporting prowess than a bog standard MX5, a deep rumble assaults your ear drums before returning to a burble.
Press the throttle and the Jota responds instantly, as if the electronic delay has been completely removed. It feels far more free revving from the get go.
See for yourself:
Once above 5,000 revs the Jota really gets going, this is when those 50 extra horses can really be felt, all the way up to the 7,500 redline.
In gear acceleration is also massively improved over the standard 2.0 litre setup.
Sitting on Bilstein dampers the Jota MX5 is 20mm lower than the standard model.
The new setup firms everything up nicely, you can feel the MX5 takes corners a lot flatter and rebound over bumps is non-existent. It feels more race car, which is good!
The MX5 is happier on silky smooth roads, but peppered surfaces are taken with confidence…just avoid those larger potholes.
Brakes remain unchanged, but easily provide enough bite for the extra oomph.
Inside the MX5 remains largely unchanged, a splash of Jota badging is found on the floor mats and on a plaque between the seats.
The main change is to be found with the lovely Recaro front seats, part leather, part Alcantara they hold you perfectly through the corners.
Deep bolsters provide the much needed support the standard seats lack. They retain the heating too!
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At £30k it is rather pricey, it will only really appeal to those diehard MX5 fans.
The competition is numerous, but heart ultimately always rules head.
If you picture it as a dual use track day toy and daily driver - both roles are well within its reach - then it makes more sense.
Although the Jota MX5 isn’t strictly a Mazda it’s still backed by their 3 year warranty which is reassuring. All work carried out on the car must happen at Jota though.
The extra power is excellent, crisper handling completes an already superb chassis, and the aural delight means the MX5 now sounds how it goes.
Mazda should have taken the bull by the horns and made this themselves a long time ago!
Carwitter Summary:
Jota MX-5 GT – Great carbon touches, meatier engine, superb seats, steep price!
Original Review and Further Images HERE
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