What happens when a lightweight Mazda MX-5 Miata packing a 6.2-liter V8 challenges two American performance cars on a racetrack? The answer isn’t necessarily determined by horsepower, especially when handling and driving enjoyment enter the equation.
For its latest American Track Battle, the Driven+ YouTube channel brought together three rear-wheel-drive machines with very different personalities. Host Max introduced the contenders before professional racing driver Sam took each one around the same circuit.
The lineup featured a Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, and a Mazda MX-5 transformed by Sarasota Supersport. All three had manual transmissions, although their engines, weights, and approaches to performance differed dramatically.
The challenge was simple enough: establish the fastest lap and discover which car Sam enjoyed driving most. As the laps unfolded, those two measures of success began telling different stories.
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Sets the Benchmark
The Cadillac arrived with a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 472 horsepower and a six-speed manual gearbox. Weighing 3,869 lb, or 1,751 kilograms, it combined serious performance with the comfort and finish expected of a sports sedan.
Sam praised its handling and driving experience despite finding the circuit slippery. The Blackwing established an opening lap of 46.7 seconds, earning an eight-out-of-ten enjoyment rating.
Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE Raises the Pace
Next came the Camaro SS 1LE, equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT1 V8 producing 455 horsepower. Its track-focused chassis, upgraded brakes, and Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS tires immediately impressed Sam.
“Oh, this is way better,” he declared after experiencing its sharper responses. The Camaro recorded 45.74 seconds, with Sam praising its cornering grip while acknowledging the advantage of its track-focused tires, giving it a nine-out-of-ten handling score.
A 575-HP V8 Mazda MX-5 Miata Steals the Show
The Sarasota Supersport MX-5 Miata replaced its original four-cylinder engine with a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 producing 575 horsepower. At 2,698 lb, or 1,224 kilograms, it was vastly lighter than either American rival.
Its short wheelbase, sharp throttle response, and softer suspension made it demanding around the circuit. “It’s not a track car,” Sam admitted, although he described the experience as “absolutely brilliant.” After improving his initial attempt, he recorded 46.35 seconds, placing the Mazda between the Camaro and Cadillac.
The Fastest Car Wasn’t Sam’s Favorite
The Camaro won the stopwatch battle, but the Mazda topped Racecar Driver Sam’s subjective scoring with 49 out of 50 points. Its brakes cost it the only point, while the engine, gearbox, handling, and enjoyment earned perfect marks.
The result illustrates that outright speed doesn’t always deliver the most memorable drive, a distinction car enthusiasts know well. With its thunderous V8 and demanding character, the Mazda made a compelling case as the most entertaining car of the three.