MAZDA’S ATTRACTIVE two-seat sports car, the Miata, moves into 1991 with just a few changes. An_ additional exterior color, silver, is now available, and the optional hardtop ts now available in red, white or blue. Most impor- tantly, a new four speed automatic transmission is now op- tional. Personally, | can’t think why anyone would want to replace the Miata’s wonderful five-speed manual transmission with an automatic. It’s sort of like taking the filling out of an Oreo cookie. The Miata’'s five-speed manual has short, notchy throws and must be one of the nicest transmissions available on any sports car. For those who really must have an automatic transmission, the new four-speed (with a stickshift-mounted button for tur- ning overdrive on and off) offers acceptable performance. My only criticism is that, if you step hard on the gas pedal, gear changes are abrupt, especially from first to se- cond. Equipped with an automatic transmission, the Miata’s 1.6 litre dual overhead cam, 16 valve engine churns out slightly tess horsepower than with the manual transmission; 105 vs £16. The automatic-equipped Miata — feels noticeably less peppy than the five-speed model. Fuel economy is also. slightly worse, averaging 32 mpy (vs 34 mpg). However, maximum torgue, or pulling power, is now available at 4,000 rpm instead of 5,500 rpm, ®* Price as tested $20,655 * Type 2 door, 2° passenger MAZDA MIA THIS CAR IS A DELIGHT TO DRIVE 44 During my wet-weather test-drive, the Miata’s top remained leak-free, even in downpours. The defogger cleared the windshield quickly in humid conditions, and even the plastic rear window didn't cloud over. 9¥ meaning fess downshifting, less engine noise, and better manners in city driving. The Miata’s fully independent suspension (double wishbones with coil springs and shocks at each corner) and balanced weight distribution (50 per cent front/50 per cent rear) gives the Miata superb handling. Combined with its positive, precise rack and pi- nion steering and powerful four- wheel disc brakes, the Miata is a delight to drive. The interior is simple and at- tractive with lots of round edges convertible © Layout longtitudinal front engine/rear wheel drive * Envine 1597ee 4) cylinder. DOHC, [6 valve, MPI © Horsepower 108 @ 6000 rpm that complement the Miata's rounded exterior styling. Bucket seats with thigh and side bolster- ing offer excellent support. Analogue instruments (speedometer, 7,000 rpm tachome- ter, fuel, off and water gauges) are grouped tightly together directly ahead of the driver. Sports cars of the *50s and ’60s were notorious for leaky roofs and poor heaters, and [ was inter- ested to see if the Miata had made some meaningful improvements. During my wet weather test- drive, the Miata’s (op remained * Torque 100 Ibs-ft @ 4000 rpm * Transmission 4 speed automatic w/ overdrive ® Sires P185/60 R14 radials ¢ Curb weieht 1,602 kg/2209 Ibs. ROSTER. leak-free, even in downpours. The defogger cleared the windshield quickly in humid conditions, and even the plastic rear window didn’t cloud over. The cabin temperature remained warm even during very cold weather. In sub-zero weather, the engine stasted up right) away und = ran faultlessly thanks in part to elec- tronic multi-port fuel injection. Traction and handling in the snow was not particularly good. The combination of rear-wheel- drive and fess weight (than oa © Wheelbase 2,266 inm/89.2 in. ® Length 3,918 mm/i55.1 in. e Width 1,676 mm/65.9 in. « Height 1,224 mm/48.2 in. ¢ Trunk space Ete Nene Fo Greg Wiison TEST DRIVE front-wheel-drive car) over the driving wheels makes the Miata tricky to drive on snow or ice. I had a couple of other com- plaints: with the top up, vision to the rear quarter is restricted by the lack of a rear side window, mak- ing lane-changing a challenge. A triangular-shaped plastic window, like the one the MGB had, would solve this problem easily. In addition, the top of the windscreen is too low for very tall drivers to see under. Other gripes: no storage space behind the seats and a very small trunk. But who am ! kidding? The Miata was never meant to. be practical. Its raison d’etre is the pure pleasure of driving, especially with the top down. The Miata is a vast improve- ment over previous sports cars: comfortable, dry, reliable as well as good-looking. 92 1/3.6 cu. ft. © Fuel economy City 10.2728 mpg; Hwy 7.8/36 mpg © Warranty Basic 3 vrs/80,000 km Major components 5 yrs/100,000 kms ore News - 27