We purchased a Mk 4 ND 2019 model 1.5 132 bhp, sel-nav + on 3rd November 2018, built in Japan on 13th October 2018,arrived in Uk end of October 2018, and even doing the legal speed of 70mph, and local drives of 30 / 40mph we are registering 47.8 MPG
Fuel economy also depends on how it is driven.
In the old bitsa my tuned Kent engine (1.6l pushrod but 103bhp at the wheels and massive valve overlap) would do about 35mpg if driven like I stole it with lots of revs, but only about 15-18mpg if I drove it like my Dad with minimum engine revs and early gear changes.
My old Mk2 Zodiac (85bhp 2.5l straight six) did 20 mpg regardless of pottering around town or cruising along the old A4 at 80 between London and Bristol over midnight. Adding a branched exhaust manifold took it to 25mpg in all modes and well over 100mph when hammered.
In our Skyactive 2l Mazda3 with only 120bhp, although its nanny computer suggests changing up at ridiculously low revs, (1000 to 1500) I find it is best adding another 500-1000 before changing up, and for real acceleration going to 5000 or more and skipping a few gears. Hence I get close to 50mpg in it while SWMBO gets about 40mpg driving as suggested by the car.
However, SWMBO also drives up to the stationary traffic ahead and only then puts the brakes on, whereas I lift sooner leaving a bit of space and might not need the brakes as the stoppage often clears about when I get there.
The more often the brakes are used the worse the fuel economy and the higher the maintenance costs. This does not mean one has to drive slowly, and I’m not suggesting using lots of engine braking (more clutch wear), it is simply that forward observation and anticipation of what lies ahead can help a lot with modifying speed appropriately for safer smoother driving with greater economy and less wear and tear on the car.
When the NC2 was launched, Mazda stated that it differed from the NC1 in terms of fuel consumption as follows:-
"All powertrains fine-tuned to improve fuel economy
MZR 1.8 with five-speed manual uses 7.0 litres of fuel per 100 km (4% reduction)
MZR 2.0 with five-speed manual uses 7.4 litres of fuel per 100 km (4% reduction)
MZR 2.0 with six-speed manual uses 7.6 litres per 100 km (7% reduction)
MZR 2.0 with six-speed automatic transmission uses 7.9 litres per 100 km"
I don’t know what was changed to achieve these improvements though.
Thanks, I had been looking at those details too but could not find what the actual modifications were. Surely it can’t all be software can it?
They are getting better on the economy front but emissions apart for someone like me who does about 1000 miles a year, all very enjoyable. not any kind of priority.
I do find it a strange though that the earlier MX5 is a gaz guzzler;-)
Real MPG is showing as 34.9 for the 2.0i, which equates to 96% of the official MPG (presumably quoted under the previous measuring regime). More info here
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/mazda/mx5-2005
Coming back from Telford, I bumped my tank average up to 32.5 mpg and that was in horrendous rain and winds with the alternator running everything that illuminates or heats ! Still a nice car to drive
Hi there - I have a 2.0 Sport tech NC2, I think these were the first MX5s to have cruise as standard - it was something I wanted as I found my previous MX5 (NC1 option pack) a bit uncomfy on long motorway journeys.
My fuel consumption varies between 31 and 37 depending on how much driving is done on the motorway.
The mpg displayed on the car is pretty accurate - just have to remember to reset it when you fill up - don’t just reset the trip mileage.
Colin