At the outset, the idea of a drag race between a Mazda MX-5, a Porsche 911 Cabriolet, a Ford Mustang and a BMW 8 Series Cabrio (more precisely an M850i) would have everything to be a “humiliation” of the small Japanese model, with the (much) superior power of its occasional competitors to easily impose itself.
However, the Italian Quattroruote gave an original twist to this race between only convertible models. What if, in addition to the start-up test itself, we added the obligation to open the hood before being able to start? Will the MX-5's odds improve?
Let's get to know the competitors first. From the side of the models with rear-wheel drive comes the MX-5, here in the version equipped with the 2.0 l four-cylinder and 184 hp, and the Mustang, which comes equipped with the 2.3 l EcoBoost four-cylinder and 290 hp.
The German models, on the other hand, both use all-wheel drive and the BMW M850i presents itself as the most powerful, using a 4.4 l V8 Biturbo that offers 530 hp. The 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet uses the usual flat six, in this case with 3.0 l, two turbos and 450 hp.
The results
As we told you, in this drag race it was not enough to accelerate at the starting signal. First, the hood had to be fully retracted and only then could they be pulled out. And, surprise (or maybe not), the Mazda MX-5 surprised everyone and everything, as its very simple and fast manual opening system of the hood allowed it to start (much) before its competitors with electric opening.
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This was followed by the Mustang as the German models saw their complex electric roof opening systems slow them down hopelessly. Thus, according to the Italian publication, the MX-5 took, between opening the top and reaching 100 km/h, just 10.8s. The Mustang needed 16.2s while the 8-Series and the 911 needed, respectively, 19.2s and 20.6s. One point for the MX-5.
In addition to this unconventional drag race, Quattroruote then made a “normal” one. There, as expected, the power of the German models prevailed, with the 911 winning followed by the more powerful (and much heavier) M850i. Interestingly, despite the Mustang having more around 100 hp than the MX-5, it ended up finishing last, failing to beat the Japanese model — it is noted that the start was not the best either.
Finally, the transalpina publication also measured the aerodynamic coefficients, consumption on the motorway and maximum speed with and without a hood, which made it possible to prove that walking with one's hair in the wind does not only generate a bill in terms of consumption but also in terms of performance.