From the Album: Samba In Your Casa
Since August 3, 2011, the NR-A Roadster Cup is added on Gran Turismo 5's Seasonal Events. There were bigger prizes await not just big money, but Racing Suits/Helmets (1st place), new exterior colors (2nd place) and new car horns (3rd place) are awaiting to players much like the other Seasonal Events that offer that kind of prize. Anyway, time to get sentimental because we're going to tackle the history of the Roadster. Three generations of Roadsters were offered in Gran Turismo 5 at all kinds but let's go over about these generations;
1) Eunos Roadster, we presented
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| The first Roadster (1989-1998) |
The first Roadster (designated as NA) debuted in 1989 under the name, Eunos Roadster. which of course, Eunos is one of the brands from Mazda aside from Efini and Autozam back then. The Eunos Roadster was exported worldwide as the Mazda MX-5 Miata. It was hugely popular among enthusiasts because of such lightweight chassis. What I don't like about this car is the old, retractable headlamps. The Eunos Roadster is powered with either a B6-ZE 1597cc 4-cylinder DOHC engine that produces 120ps/6500rpm of power or the BP-ZE 1839cc 4-cylinder DOHC engine that produces 130ps/6500rpm of power. There are so many special editions of the NA Roadster, including the S-Special, V-Special, or the J Limited. The first Roadster is all about choice.
2) ROADSTER, Reborn
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| The second Roadster (1998-2005) |
In 1998, the arrival of the New Roadster came into reality. It even exported worldwide as the second-generation Mazda MX-5. The positive aspect about the NB Mazda Roadster is that it retains the styling from the Eunos Roadster, only this time, the retractable headlights from the NA Roadster has been replaced by the fixed headlights, providing the essence of style. Hunting the second-generation Roadster (MX-5 Miata) sounds more challenging and it may take a few days to get this model. Here in Gran Turismo, the second-generation Mazda Roadster/MX-5 Miata is powered with the BP-ZE 1.8L 4-cylinder engine that produces either 145/160ps of power. Because of the lightweight body, I guess the fun-to-drive factor is all it can do but not always. You need the right suspension setting to bring this Roadster's cornering to its full potential.
3) One car. One driver. One feeling.
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| The third Roadster (2005-present) |
In the year 2005, the Mazda Roadster (MX-5 Miata) received another full model change and gained the designation of NC. By November 2005, the NC Roadster won the 2005-2006 Japan Car of the Year. When it first arrived in August 25, 2005, it became a sensation because the Mazda NC Roadster was just a miniature version of the Mazda RX-8 but the 3rd Roadster retains the 2-seater capacity from the previous two generations. The standard engine is the LF-VE 1998cc 4-cylinder DOHC engine that produces 170ps/6700-7000rpm of power and torque of 19.3kgf-m/5000rpm. Being an FR sportscar seems to be more enjoyable but for the Roadster, its about looking at its best. The concept of "One car. One drive. One feeling." really serves the point about the NC Roadster, even though in the year 2005, when the car was released, it gained a huge success and earned the title of being 2005-2006 Japan Car of the Year. The world-class Roadster seems to be fitting well in GT5.
These are the three generations of the Mazda Roadster (MX-5 Miata) that are featured on Gran Turismo 5. Select the one you'll think it's the best on the NR-A Roadster Cup on Seasonal Events, and go for the win! If you're aiming on your next Racing Gear, go for first place! If you're aiming for the next exterior color for your car, go for 2nd place! If you want a new horn for your car, aim for 3rd place! This is just like any previous races that offer that kind of prizes. Go forth and win!
