A Mazda MX-5 On Steroids: Australia’s V8 Engined Bullet Roadster

In the late ‘90s, Australian John Bettini unleashed onto the word the Bullet Roadster. What begin life as a heavily modified Mazda MX-5 with an RX-7 13B powerplant gradually evolved into a V8-engined monster like the one you see here that we found for sale in Queensland, Australia.

According to the seller, this was the fifth Bullet Roadster built and the first V8-engined one to roll out of the company’s then new Chinderah, NSW factory. It’s all hearsay, of course, but I’m willing to believe the words of a 62yo motoring enthusiast with arthritic knees. So here goes...

Bullet No. 5 was a special order from a man named George Covacic who supplied a 4.6-liter all-alloy, fuel injected V8 crate motor along with a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission and the differential from a Holden Commodore SS. Like all Bullet supercars, the brakes and suspension came from the Mazda RX-7.

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New Mazda MX-5 Facelift: UK Pricing Announced

The upgraded and cosmetically refreshed MX-5 will arrive at Mazda's UK dealerships this April with prices starting from £16,345 for the soft-top model and from £18,345 for the Roadster Coupe with the retractable hardtop. For 2009, MX-5's UK customers have a choice of four powertrains, all of which have been fine-tuned to use less fuel. These include the 126HP 1.8-liter and the 160HP 2.0-liter with five-speed gearbox, the 160HP 2.0i-liter with a six-speed manual gearbox and the new 160HP 2.0-liter 'PowerShift' six-speed sequential paddle-shift auto transmission.

All 2009 MY MX-5s come with alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake, plus an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a new auxiliary (AUX) input jack for MP3 and iPod connection. The 2.0i models feature DSC (dynamic stability control), TCS (traction control system), a Limited Slip Differential and side airbags. Climate control air conditioning is a £550 option on these models.

The Sport models (priced from £19,695) are equipped with new 17-inch alloy wheels, uprated Bilstein dampers, a front suspension strut bracing bar, a six-speed manual transmission, front fog lamps and heated leather seats. New specification additions include climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a premium BOSE audio system with 6-CD changer and seven speakers, and Bluetooth technology with voice recognition for hands-free telephoning.

Upgraded Mazda MX-5 Price List – April 2009

Mazda MX-5	Power (ps)	'On the road' Retail
1.8i	126	£16,345
1.8i Air Con	126	£16,895
2.0i	160	£17,345
2.0i Air Con	160	£17,895
2.0i Sport	160	£19,695
2.0i PowerShift	160	£20,195
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe
1.8i	126	£18,345
1.8i with leather	126	£19,050
2.0i	160	£19,345
2.0i with leather	160	£20,050
2.0i Sport	160	£21,195
2.0i PowerShift	160	£21,695