BBR launches 220 bhp Mazda MX-5 Turbo Anniversary Edition

BBR MX-5 Turbo

BRACKLEY, Northamptonshire : November 30, 2010 - Celebrating the 1990 launch of the original MX-5 BBR turbo, BBR is proud to announce a 20th Anniversary turbo conversion package for the Mazda MX-5 model range, covering Mk1 and Mk2 variants of the world’s most popular sports cars, in both 1.6 and 1.8 - litre capacities. BBR’s relaunched turbo kit transforms the much loved Mazda MX-5 into a serious driving machine, elevating its performance from sedate to electrifying.

BBR’s in-house expertise and unrivalled experience with the Mazda MX-5 enables the firm to build upon the overwhelming success of the original 1990 150 bhp MX-5 turbo kit, updating and enhancing the design to produce a stunning, dyno proven 220 bhp plus from just 1.6-litres.

BBR Anniversary Phase One Turbo Specification:

• Garrett GT25 ball bearing Turbocharger with integral waste gate control, water cooling & ported turbine housing with ceramic coating for improved thermal management
• High temperature alloy cast exhaust manifold with ceramic coating and stainless steel heat shield
• Front mounted Air to Air Intercooler and associated pipe work, powder coated black for factory style discretion
• Competition standard hoses and fixings throughout
• Auxiliary BBR Interceptor 2010 engine management computer with 3-dimensional mapping and external manifold pressure sensor
• BBR specification larger fuel injectors
• Stainless steel separated gases exhaust down pipe
• New cool air induction system
• Modified sump
• Modified coolant and oil system piping
• Special BBR Turbo identification badges with BBR anniversary plaque
• Priced at £4995.00 fitted

On the 1.6-litre engined Mazda MX-5 Mk1 and Mk2 power increases to a dyno proven 221 bhp at 6900 rpm, with 175 lb.ft of torque at 5100 rpm. For 1.8-litre engined cars, the peak power and torque output will be correspondingly higher.

Priced at just £4995.00 fitted in BBR’s Brackley based workshop, the BBR Mazda MX-5 turbo kit is available now. A DIY version of the kit is also available as an option, priced at £3995.00.

BBR enhanced complete Mk1 Mazda MX-5’s unveiled

BBR has also responded to demand for an upgraded Mk1 MX-5 model, which combines outstanding engine performance and chassis dynamics. BBR’s brief was to produce a carefully enhanced high-powered Mk1 MX-5 that combines great handling, civilised road manners and awesome trackday capabilities in all weathers.

As such, BBR is now able to supply renovated, 220 bhp plus turbocharged Mazda MX-5 Mk1’s featuring full leather seats and a paint finish in a colour of the owner’s choice. Prices start at £7,500 and BBR is pleased to offer a list of cost options available for the discerning MX-5 owner, including:

• A big brake kit including larger calipers
• A limited slip differential
• A longer final drive (for relaxed motorway cruising at lower revs)
• Larger diameter alloy wheels
• Further power upgrades

BBR’s revamped Mazda MX-5 Mk1 turbo is a pleasure to drive in all road conditions, providing 21st century style pace with the classic, tactile driving experience that’s unique to the world’s most popular sportscar.

The History of the BBR Mazda MX-5 Turbo

In 1990, exactly twenty years ago, renowned tuner and BTCC entrant Brodie Brittain Racing (BBR) was approached by Japanese car importer Mazda UK to tender for a 150BHP Turbo kit to fit the new MX-5 sportscar. Initially, there was an expectation that production would run to around 200 units.

Naturally there was competition to win the tender from other UK tuners, but BBR commenced work on the most economic turbo layout for the MX-5. In addition the criteria from Mazda UK demanded that the MX-5 turbo kit was to be a dealer fitment, so it was vital that the key components were simple to install - ‘like Lego,’ recalls Dave Brodie.

After an intensive development process BBR had soon established an ideal turbocharger package and subsequently won the Mazda UK tender, which contained strict design briefs regarding power limitations. One of the biggest design issues in this process was controlling the on boost fuelling, as there was no facility for this in the original Mazda ECU. Rising to the challenge BBR developed its own piggy back ECU called Interceptor, which enabled BBR to manipulate the electronic map settings from the original Mazda ECU to optimise the engine’s fuelling and ignition parameters for the turbocharger set up.

The end result was a Mazda UK approved, dealer fit, turbocharger kit that increased the power on the MX-5’s B16P engine from 115 bhp to 150 bhp. Warmly received by the motoring press and public alike, the BBR MX-5 turbocharger kit swiftly gained a reputation for bulletproof reliability and over the next few years BBR sold more than 1200 examples of the turbo kit, without a single engine failure.

Ultimately, the BBR MX-5 turbo kit proved to be the most popular aftermarket turbo kit yet sold in Europe and arguably, the USA too. Fast forward twenty years and demand and interest in BBR enhanced Mazda MX-5’s is stronger than ever, so that’s why BBR has done it again…

[Source : NEWSPRESS]