MAZDA

MX-5 (NC)

The Mazda MX-5 (NC) is the third generation of the Mazda MX-5 manufactured from 2005 to 2015. At its introduction in 2005, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award and made Car and Driver's 10Best list from 2006 to 2013. The NC is the first MX-5 generation to feature a retractable hardtop variant, with its roof being able to fold and unfold in 12 seconds without sacrificing trunk space. The exterior styling (done by Yasushi Nakamuta until 2003) resembled the original design, but unlike the update from NA to NB, which was mostly a nose/tail/interior change, the NC shares no components with the NB, except for the fender-mounted turn signal lights on non-U.S. models (and rear differential internals). The chief designer of this model generation was Moray Callum. The 2003 Mazda Ibuki concept served as a preview of the new model. The suspension changed from a four-wheel double wishbone setup to a front wishbone/rear multilink setup, shared with the Mazda RX-8. Technologies including traction control and stability control were added to increase driveability. According to Car and Driver, the NC has a skidpad number of 0.90g. For the U.S., the engine was the 16-valve, 2.0 L (120 cu in) MZR LF-VE DOHC I4, producing 130 kW (170 bhp) and 190 N⋅m (140 lbf⋅ft) of torque coupled to either a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual transmission or 118 kW (158 bhp) with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission. A limited-slip differential was available with the 6-speed option. In Australia, the 2.0 L (120 cu in) MZR was offered, rated at 118 kW (158 bhp) and 188 N⋅m (139 lbf⋅ft) of torque and the 6-speed transmission and LSD are standard. In Europe, two engines were offered: the 2.0 L (120 cu in) MZR LF-VE rated at 118 kW (158 bhp) and 188 N⋅m (139 lbf⋅ft) of torque, coupled to the 6-speed manual transmission; and a new 1.8 L (110 cu in) MZR L8-VE, rated at 94 kW (126 bhp) and 167 N⋅m (123 lbf⋅ft), coupled to the 5-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission, with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, was optional. A test by Car and Driver magazine revealed a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 6.5 s for the 2.0 L (120 cu in) U.S.-spec NC.[9] Manufacturer figures for the European-spec model are: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.4 s for the 1.8 and 7.9 s for the 2.0. As of this generation, the car no longer complies with Japanese law's maximum exterior width dimension for the mid-size vehicle tax class, making Japanese buyers liable for additional costs for ownership.