The lighter one is slightly more powerful than the heavier one.
We believe that drivers in the Subaru BRZ or Mazda MX-5 prefer to drive through twisting canyons rather than the straightaway at a prepared drag strip. This doesn’t mean a drag race is boring. We’ve never seen these lightweight sports cars compete for the quarter-mile lead. This Motor video shows us six races and each one is incredibly close.
Subaru has a slight edge on paper. The flat-four’s 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated flat-four produces 228 horsepower (170 Kilowatts), and 184 pound feet (249 Newton-meters), of torque. The Miata’s 181 horsepower (135 kW), and 151 lbft (205 Nm), are not as powerful. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 181 hp (135kW) and 151 Lb-ft (249 Newton-meters) of torque. The Mazda weighs in at 400 pounds less, making it nearly equal in power and weight. Both cars use power in the traditional way, sending it backwards through a manual transmission.
We are treated to digging and rolling races to make sure that there is no disagreement about which car is fastest. The race begins with a standing start that leaves both cars dead at the half-track. Subie’s driver overcooked the launch a little and then blasted the rev limiter during a crucial shift. The Mazda has a slight advantage at the start. The BRZ’s larger engine pulls through at the end of the track. It wins by about half a car length. This is a small win but it is a win.
There are two more standing races, where each driver improves their launch technique. However, the results are almost identical. Half-track is close, but the Miata can’t keep up with the BRZ’s power. The Subie extends the win by more than a car length after a close race in the first race. This contest is not Advantage BRZ but it features six race. What happens when both cars start from a roll?
The final three races will be held at a speed of 31 mph (50 km/h). The launch was cancelled, thereby further establishing the BRZ’s horsepower advantage. This is a win for Subaru. However, the gap isn’t large and the MX-5 sees a slight jump in the first race. Although it isn’t much, it’s sufficient to keep a charging BRZ from taking the win for Mazda fans. The final race is an even start with another Subaru win.
Subaru won this contest because power is important in straight lines. What about lap times on twisting roads? This is a race for another day, another video.