Apologies if this has already been posted, but it made it’s way into my YouTube algorithm and really enjoyed it. You don’t need the video, audio is fine.
Nice to hear how the car has evolved. However, it was an expensive listen as I had convinced myself a ND2 will be good replacement for my NC2 next year, but it does appear I now really do need a 2.0 Homura ND3!!
Of course you do…
Actually not seen that before, some very interesting points:
The power boost in the ND2 engine was not intended, the brief was to raise the redline.
The car was designed around the 1.5 engine, often challenged as incorrect though confirmed here.
On back roads the 1.5 is the best car, we all knew that though really 
Don’t lower the car just for cosmetic purposes you will compromise the design, if you are going to lower have an end purpose in mind and you should be changing other things too.
Bad roads are good roads for the MX-5, the car is designed for bumpy back roads hence the suspension height and built in roll character.
Stick with the 1.5 and forget all the issues caused by the LSD!
Obviously I enjoyed hearing that the 1.5 is the ‘better’ car for scenic tours, I have long believed this.
After 8 years I still can’t get enough of the 1.5. We’ve just booked another tour to northern Spain.
I’d buy a new one if I thought it would be an improvement but I’m not convinced it wouldn’t just be heavier. To be fair this isn’t Mazda’s fault, it’s all the legislated stuff.
i loved one particular quote from this vid, with this guy vs ‘‘the japanease boss’’
‘‘NorthStar is the 1.6 NA. We want to replicate this. ND must be a 1.5’’
‘‘Yea but… we need to at least keep up with the slow cars’’ 
i liked this view from him. i would interpret it or reword it differently…on lines of
‘‘we designed the mazda to perform well, on bumpy, poor quality roads. if you want better performance around track you need to do more than just lower it’’, his call out to chasis stiffness and tyre type very important too 
