This is the kind of story that OEMs should strive for. What we mean to say is that many carmakers over-hype their product through adds and marketing. The cars barely deliver on the promise, but carmakers don’t care much as they know full-well that the majority of consumers will quickly adapt or become complaisant.
Stories like this one where Grassroots Motorsports takes a new Miata to a dyno and potentially discovers that Mazda’s 181 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque might be on the conservative side are the ones that will be told for a long time.
According to a 5th gear dyno run performed at Rob Fuller’s Z Car Garage in San Jose, California, the ND Miata produces 168 horsepower and 149 lb.-ft. of torque at the wheels. This result represents a 7% decrease in horsepower due to driveline loss which could be considered lower than average. We’ve done a little reading on calculating actual driveline loss and have discovered that it is very complex subject. Best to stick with the 15% rule of thumb…
We’ve already driven the car and we did feel the extra oomph but don’t think that the car is faster per say. Either way, seems like there’s even more to love about the new MX-5!
