New ND Mazda MX-5 Tuning Pack Gives 221bhp At 7800rpm, No Turbo In Sight

You can’t help but admire Mazda for the changes it made to the updated ND MX-5. The Japanese company opened up the car’s 2.0-litre, naturally-aspirated inline-four and popped in lighter pistons and con-rods and new valve springs, all in the name of increasing power without resorting to forced induction.

Proper N/A tuning in this day and age is a rarity, but for anyone wanting a 2019-onwards ND MX-5 with more than 181bhp, BBR GTI has a solution. A solution which still doesn’t involve turbochargers or superchargers.

The Brackley-based firm’s new Super 220 package for the MX-5’s fettled SkyActiv-G engine bumps the power up to a handy 221bhp. That’s a commendable power output to extract from a relatively small N/A engine, and it’s developed at 7800rpm. In comparison, the standard unit makes peak power at 7000rpm and tops out at 7500.

The torque gains are slightly less dramatic - the 220 makes 166lb ft, which is a boost of 15lb ft or so. It develops peak twist 500rpm lower than the stock car, however, at the 4350rpm mark.

The kit consists of a custom four-into-one stainless steel exhaust manifold, a cold air intake, a K&N high-flow air filter, a Starchip ECU remap and a reworked top end. The latter part of the conversion involves fitting new camshafts, valve springs and retainers.

It’s £2895 plus VAT to have the package fully fitted at BBR’s HQ in Brackley, or £2235 for the parts alone.

If you want something that’s cheaper and a little less involved, BBR also has a ‘Super 200’ pack available. It has all the same bits as Super 220 minus the overhauled top end, giving 202bhp at 7300rpm and 165lb ft of torque at 3950rpm.

It’s a slightly wallet-friendlier £1445 plus VAT fitted or £1245 for just the components.