Also on hand at the Tokyo Motor Show was the Lancer Evolution MIEV technology exhibit. A one-off Evo built to showcase next-generation electric vehicles, the MIEV takes a standard Evo IX, rips out the turbocharged four-cylinder, adds four in-wheel electric motors sitting behind 20-inch wheels and updates the bodywork for less drag. Each electric motor produces roughly 67hp and 382ft-lb of torque, giving the MIEV a total of 268 horsepower total. Churning out of the S-AWC system, the MIEV is the Evo of electric cars, blasting from 0-60mph in less than 8 seconds, all without a drop of gas. Try that in your Prius.
Pioneer Blasts The Db Drag World Finals Blasting apart the Cleveland IX Center in Cleveland, Ohio, the 8th Annual dB Drag Racing World Finals hit the stage. Supported by chicks in the bikini competition, a car show, and vendor displays, the main attraction was promoted as "the world's loudest car stereos." With no senior citizens in sight, competitors went at it to see whose car stereo system was most capable of blowing women's clothes off using sound only. No stranger to building powerful car audio equipment, Pioneer Electronics SPL subwoofers were used to crown two world champions. Edge Audio team member Scott Owens remained as the Extreme 5+ World Champion with a 178dB blast using 13 Pioneer subwoofers and 115,000 watts. Fellow Edge Audio teammate Kyle Witherspoon defeated all in the Extreme 2 class with 173.8dB using his Scion xB, filled with 2 Pioneer subwoofers, 8 amplifiers and 24,000 watts. Just so you know how loud these cars are, 85dB is considered the threshold for dangerous sound levels and 140dB is near equivalent to a jet airplane at takeoff. Loose some eardrums at www.pioneerelectronics.com
Test DriftedThe Redesigned 2006 Mazda MiataUnfortunately for Mazda, the first two generations of the Miata are regarded as awesome handling girl's cars. So it was obviously the latter description that haunted us before we got into the third-generation Mazda Miata MX-5, which came equipped with optional Bilstein shocks, sport suspension and a limited-slip differential. We were pleasantly surprised to see the new tougher, more aggressive look of the Miata, which was apparent even through the bright, cherry red paint. With a larger body, a six-speed transmission, 17x7-inch wheels, a 170hp engine, big fender flares and a Bilstein suspension, the Miata just went up in our book. Take a look at the silver mock-up displayed here with the optional hard top; you're going to tell us that doesn't look good?
To really give this front-engine, rear-drive roadster a test worth watching, we hit Industry Drift Day 2. Swapping out the stock wheels for whatever wheels we could find, we ended up with a set of 18-inch wheels wrapped in Toyo's sticky T1-S street rubber. With a slim curb weight, our six-speed unit really made the full use of its 140ft-lb. of torque, drifting beautifully all day without missing a beat. Even through the city, the smooth torque curve is intoxicating and just asks to be given full throttle all the time. Luckily, the Miata packs one of the smoothest and most precise six-speed transmissions on the market today, with perfectly spaced gear ratios available in every gate. With a true low-down sports car driving position, loads of grip, a torque laden four cylinder engine, and a fantastic transmission just a touch away, a pure driving experience is the big selling point of this car.
Although it is a capable track car factory stock, we would still like to reduce the body roll, install a more aggressive rear diff, and add at least 50 more horses-turbo, anyone? Handing our keys over to Team Toyo drifter Ken Gushi for a test run, he returned and replied, "The car handles a lot better than I imagined, and the vehicle feels similar to a hachi-roku with very predictable steering control through the drifts. If anything, this car is an equivalent or a more improved version of the hachi. The suspension handled well considering it was in factory form. The Miata is drift friendly, it just needs a better differential." If Gushi had anything else to add, we didn't catch any of it as we excitedly rushed past him to jump back into the car and peeled out. Just the way we like it. www.mazdausa.com