This Mazda MX-5 Miata has new wheels and coilover suspension that should improve its handling credentials
September 30, 2023 at 16:50
German tuner Barracuda Racing has taken what was once a standard Mazda MX-5 Miata and transformed it into something that would be just as well-suited to an autocross course as it would be to be displayed at a car show.
The owner of this MX-5 Miata has set out to make it as light as possible and as such, turned to Barracuda to get a set of lightweight wheels that would suit it just perfectly. He has opted for a set of rims with a matte bronze finish that measure 17×7.5-inch at the front and rear. These wheels weigh just 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs) each and are wrapped in 205/40 tires.
With the wheels sorted, Barracuda installed new coilovers from Vmax that have the potential to completely transform the way that the beloved sports car handles. A new set of H&R sway bars have also been fitted.
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Watch: Is Tuning And Modifying The Mazda MX-5 A Good Idea?
Some work has also been done on the car’s aerodynamics. The first upgrade is a massive Aerodynamics GT-Flex wing that may be at odds with the refined and subtle design of the MX-5 Miata but should boost downforce. A new hood has also been designed for the Mazda, complete with air vents to help direct hot air out of the engine bay.
Rounding out the changes is a new sports exhaust system with twin tailpipes positioned in the center of the bumper. The sports car is then bathed in a matte purple wrap.
While it’s unclear if the new exhaust adds any horsepower or torque, the MX-5 Miata has never been a car that is about headline figures. The current ND-generation model has been in production since early 2015 and in flagship guise has a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder with 181 hp and 151 lb-ft (205 Nm) of torque.