Mazda Celebrates MX-5 35th Anniversary with Record-Breaking Journey
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the iconic Mazda MX-5. To celebrate the occasion, Mazda arranged the first ever trip from Land’s End to John o’ Groats (LEJOG) using 100% sustainable fuel from Sustain by Coryton. Four generations of MX-5 from Mazda’s heritage fleet made the 1000 mile journey from the most south westerly point in the UK, up to the northernmost village in Scotland.
The epic journey began on a very misting morning in Cornwall in a 1990 Mk1 MX-5. This early UK version is delightfully analogue and surprisingly doesn’t feel as tiny inside as it looks from the outside. The 1.6-litre engine boasts 114bhp and makes it to 60mph in 8.5secs . Considering it weighs under 1000kg, any input from the steering wheel is sharp and the MX-5 is so short, the turning circle makes it incredibly easy to manoeuvre.
The Mk1 completed the longest single stretch of the trip up to Bicester Heritage where we refuelled at Motor Spirit. Here, customers have access to all 10 of Sustain’s fuels which are suitable for motorbikes, racing cars, classic cars, and the company offers a 100% sustainable diesel that can be used in cars, trucks, boats or generators. The fuel used for this LEJOG trip is not yet publicly available but as demand for sustainable fuel grows, Sustain will be able to increase the percentage of sustainable fuel in its products.
Unlike fossil fuels, sustainable fuels are carbon neutral. While they still emit tailpipe emissions, the life cycle of the fuel doesn’t add any additional carbon into the atmosphere. Sustainable fuels include biofuels, synthetic, or e-fuels which are created using chemical processes. The idea is, in biofuels for example, the plants absorb carbon dioxide during their lifetime and this is then released back into the atmosphere when the fuel is burnt. Whereas fossil fuels introduce new carbon dioxide into the air which was previously stored in the Earth.
Once the cars were fuelled up, we switched into a 1999 10th anniversary 1.8-litre Mk2 MX-5, my personal favourite of the bunch. It finds the right balance between classic and modern with a slightly more enthusiastic drive than the Mk1. The Mk2 has 140bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox which was a delight to change up and down through the gears. We made it up to Sheffield by the end of day one, ready to head off in the direction of the Lake District the next morning.
After hours of blazing heat and blinding sun on the first day, our prayers for a slightly milder day were answered. We set off from a grey Sheffield towards the Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club, the oldest club of its kind in the world that still races. Members’ racing boats are powered by Sustain’s fuel to reduce their carbon footprint during racing events. Due to limited demand, sustainable fuel is still very expensive compared to regular petrol or diesel, but it can be ideal for hobbies where vehicles are used irregularly, like boat racing or classic cars. The benefit is no engine modifications are required either, it’s just fuel and go.
Following a lunchtime pit stop, we changed into a 2014 25th anniversary Mk3 with a retractable hardtop. Apart from the noticeable step up in modern luxuries, as the Mk3 is much larger than its predecessor there was enough room for Mazda to squeeze in an impressive four cup holders. Of course, there was another jump up in power too, this time giving us access to 160bhp and a 0 to 60mph time of 7.9 seconds.
The next destination was the Celtic Renewables refinery, just outside of Edinburgh. The facility uses waste products from the whisky making process and combines this with discarded potatoes, and bacteria to create bioacetone, biobutanol and bioethanol. These chemicals can be used for anything from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics, cleaning products, and fuel.
We refuelled and got back on the road for a short drive to conclude our second day at Dunkeld House Hotel on the stunning River Taye. While Scotland offered by far the best scenery of the trip, the weather didn’t fail to deliver on its rainy disposition. No more than 100 yards across the border the heavens opened, but somehow it was forgivable against the incredible backdrop of rolling hills consumed by the near-constant mist.
Never willing to shy away from a challenge, we’d set off from Land’s End committed to completing the 1000 miles with the roof down the whole way. So, throughout a very rainy Scotland, the roof stayed down and we mostly just drove fast enough to keep the rain from entering the cabin. In traffic, however, it was a different matter. Nonetheless, we powered through and began the final day with some ominous clouds ahead.
For the last 200 miles we jumped in a 30th anniversary edition Mk4. Yes, 181bhp was a useful boost to cut through the rain more rapidly but the heated seats were the star of the show. Winding up through country lanes on the final leg of the journey was pure bliss. For moments the sun shone through the clouds, the roads opened up and the North Sea battered the cliffs to the right.
When we eventually reached John o’ Groats the wind felt like we were still driving at 70mph with the roof down. You had to lean into it to get anywhere but at long last we found the sign. Soon after, sideways rain swept in and the islands beyond the tip were obscured. In total we travelled 1045 miles powered by 100% sustainable fuel over two and a half days. Regardless of which generation MX-5 we drove, the same sporty personality triumphed above all. It seems like everyone has an MX-5 story and it’s easy to see why. There’s nothing remotely practical about owning one as an everyday car, but for the sheer joy of driving, there’s little else that can beat an MX-5 for the money or the fun.
