Getting the Balance Correct

Getting the Balance Correct

We all have seen the rumors, and the renderings, but finally we have some spy shots. Don’t be deceived by the NC style look, Mazda has gone to great lengths to hide the next generation MX5. Yet under that deceptive exterior we have noticed and heard some exciting things.

Photo credit to Motor Authority for the spy shot

One of the most exciting reports we have heard is that the next MX5 should be weighing in around 2200lbs and possibly less. That is about 200-300 pounds of saving over the current NC model. Of course the original NA model in 1989 was 200lbs less than that, but we doubt the next Miata will be lacking power steering, ABS, AC, Power locks, power windows and other modern conveniences. We also noticed that upon close inspection of the spy shots, it appears Mazda is going back to the 4 bolt hubs/wheels to lose weight.

All this with the Skyactiv power-plant for weight loss and improved gas mileage should make the next MX5 a winner.

I predict that with the next generation MX5 we should see a variant of the Mazda 2 SkyActiv engine, but with forced induction. Who wouldn’t want a direct injected SkyActiv with a turbo that dishes out 200 wheel horsepower, or more?

The sum of all this can be shown in the following equation.

+

=

Clearly the next Mx5 has some big changes, but ultimately I believe Mazda is going back to the basics. Make the most fun, and best, 2 seat sport car in the market. I personally cannot wait to be first in line to order the next Mazda Mx5 as my daily driver. Come on Mazda, I’m waiting.

-Derrick

April 13, 2012September 13, 2018

2014 MX-5 Going SkyActiv Turbo

We have blogged about what’s to come for the 2014 Mazda MX-5 in the past. At the time it was reported that the MX-5 Miata was going to be lighter than the current model by around 720 lbs and when I reported on this last August, the word was that the MX-5 would come with a 1.5-liter SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine that would produce up to 160 horsepower and would be mated to a six-speed manual transmission with an option to change to a dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission.

It appears though that Mazda still has not settled on which engine will make its way into the next generation MX-5. Auto Guide reported last month that the engine originally planned for the MX-5 didn’t cut it and neither did a version of their current SkyActiv 2.0L four-cylinder engine. The 1.5 did not meet Mazda’s performance requirements and the 2.0L didn’t have the fuel economy.

So what now? Well it seems that the solution may come in the form of a 1.8L SkyActiv four-cylinder 1.3L or 1.5L turbo-charged engine. The new turbo engine will employ SkyActiv technologies like variable cam phasing with lower friction parts to boost performance and fuel economy and will also be mated to reduced-friction transmissions.

Whichever powerplant Mazda decides on, you can expect the car to produce roughly 150 hp with about a 10-percent improvement in fuel economy from the current MX-5’s (22 city/28 highway mpg). The new Miata is scheduled to make a debut by mid-2014 and will be priced under $25,000.

Gwynne-

December 16, 2011July 25, 2024

The Future

Bye Bye Ford. Mazda has confirmed that the Mazda independently designed Cx5 chassis and engine technology will be the new platform for the next generation of the Mazda 3 and the upcoming Mazda 6 replacements.

So what does this mean for Mazda? This shows that the haters in the automotive press, which in 2009 said that Mazda doesn’t have the engineering capabilities to develop a new platform, once again have no idea what they are talking about. Take the quote from Aaron Bragman, Auto Analyst for IHS Global Insight, posted in a TruthAboutCars article in December 2009, “The reality is Mazda is too small to do it on their own…Ford may have other options. They’ve got a European organization that is very good at developing small cars.” In other words, Mazda might want to start looking around for another partner.

Fast forward to today and Mazda has launched a whole new platform that incorporates stronger, lighter, ultra-high tensile steel in its construction, brand new SKYACTIV technology that employs a range of green technologies to increase fuel efficiency, and a clearly defined goal of where they want to be in the next 10-15 years in the automotive landscape.

With news of the soon to be released Cx5, the concept car Mazda 6 replacement the Takeri being shown, and the drawings of the Mx5 popping up the future looks really good for Mazda.

(Picture Above Courtesy of Top Speed)

I am really looking forward to the news that Mazda is looking to offer a 2 door Mazda 6 in the future. It has been too long since the Mx6 left the Market back in 1997 and the only 2 door North America has seen since is the Mx5.

This just goes to show that Mazda is not a company to be underestimated.

-Derrick