Begining To Doubt Myself

[Steve G]

Was having a chat to a chap at work today about Mazda MX-5's as he's thinking about getting one of the early ones for his wife. Now, I seem to remember reading somewhere that the original MX-5 was either partly developed by Lotus, or was designed as the next model Elan but Lotus sold the design onto Mazda. Am I totally confused or does anyone know anything about this. I've been doing a bit of surfing on the web to try and find something to support what I remember reading but had no luck yet. I'm begining to think I've made it all up in my head now!!! hehe!

 

 

Cheers,

Steve.

[Ladders]

I think Mazda just ripped off the origonal Elan design?

 

Not sure whether they bought the rights or any though?

[malbon]

very nice motors and the 'elise' of thier time in 1990. Real nice rwd cars are the mk1 90's model. i drove a eunos a few years ago and was blown away. should of done so much better if it wasnt for its female image (no offence fiona et al !!)

 

erm..sorry dont know about your question steve ??

[GCCK]

Just what the Japs seem to do well - plagiarise other people's ideas yet develop them properly so as to make them popular useable propositions. No input from Lotus whatsover but the original Elan was a major inspiration.

 

More of a useable MGB rather than an Elise forerunner - it's never had the performance or dynamics of a Lotus even if its handling is friendly & accessible.

[niallf]

I think you're thinking of the Mk1 Toyota MR2, which had links to the Lotus M90. This was developed around the time there was strong ties between Lotus and Toyota. Read more here

[Zircon450]

I think you're thinking of the Mk1 Toyota MR2, which had links to the Lotus M90. This was developed around the time there was strong ties between Lotus and Toyota. Read more here

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ditto that, they (Lotus) needed an engine deal and provided information on how to develop a mid/rear engined sports vehicle.

 

Seems that until the Jap car made the streets, the engine tech/availability was late.

 

Hey ho, said ACBC (Chapman) chassis - inhouse - engine - inhouse.

[ipanter]

I had an MX5 before my elise, and it was a superb car with great handling and perfect 50:50 weight distribution, which made it really fun to drive.

 

When designing the early car Mazda used the elan for it inspiration but Lotus had no input into the car at all. (AFAIK)

 

The MX5 has a huge scene that's very similar but probably bigger than the Elise scene. There are clubs such as MX5 OC and mxroadsters.com there are also quite a few retailers that specialise just in MX5 accessories.

 

The early car up to '96 was only available with a 1.6 engine that produced 130bhp, then in '96 they released a 1.8 that produced 136bhp, so from then on they detuned the 1.6 so it only made IIRC 96bhp, in order to make the more expensive 1.8 model more attractive.

 

The size of the engine is probably the biggest complaint about the car, but t/c kits and s/c kits are readily available and i've seen 250bhp MX5s that would eat my elise alive! (flamesuit on).

 

Anyway if your still reading this and you havn'y got bored of MX5 info and you want to know more let me know. I was (and a little bit of me still is) a huge MX5 fanatic!

[Ladders]

.......and i've seen 250bhp MX5s that would eat my elise alive! (flamesuit on).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not round the corners though!

 

MX5's probably the only car I'd think of if I had to down grade (touches wood it won't ever happen!).