4th gen ND Mazda MX-5 Miata

[daiheadjai]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

You mean thanks "green society" because it's not just the U.S. that it had to pass emissions in otherwise it would've been like the e36 m3 where euro and JDM spec had higher HP and torque numbers

That was partly tongue-in cheek, but I suspect its also cheaper to offer one power level (with differences being due to fuel quality only), rather than developing/tuning region-specific running gear for a global car.
Might as well just tune/develop for the strictest regime.

[funwheeldrive]

Looks like the 2.0L will only have 155bhp

http://jalopnik.com/2016-mazda-miata...-to-1682771004

[Vracer111]

If they ever make a coupe version that can fit a 6' 2" guy...it would be very tempting. Until then, nope. Porsche and Jaguar make convertible and coupe versions of the same car... come on Mazda bring it to the affordable segment and give it some proper ergonomic fitment for non-Japanese sized people!

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...zda-mx5-miata/

Was there an embargo or something on the reviews? or are Auto journalist just getting the chance to drive the ND now?

[airjonny]

Cutting weight isn't an excuse to flat out ignore the biggest weakness of the car. Yes we understand that the car isn't a Mustang, but really? I don't want to hear the "adding power would cost more money" talking point anymore. Can any cost accountants here explain how shedding 200lbs of weight on a bespoke platform won't add any significant bump in price, but a tune to at least NC power levels is going to bankrupt Mazda?

/hissyfit. I still like the car, I just hate how Mazda is content with being good when it can be great.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by airjonny

I don't want to hear the "adding power would cost more money" talking point anymore. Can any cost accountants here explain how shedding 200lbs of weight on a bespoke platform won't add any significant bump in price, but a tune to at least NC power levels is going to bankrupt Mazda?

If you don't like the answer than why ask the question? Mazda decided what kind of car they wanted to build and built it, I guarantee the idea was kicked around to take the NC, do only minor updates to the chassis keeping it around 2,500 lbs and bump up the horsepower. Instead they put the money into a better chassis, suspension, and drivetrain and dropped in the mass produced engine available for their economy car.

Just like every Miata (non-special edition) introduced for the past 26 years.

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Looks like the 2.0L will only have 155bhp

http://jalopnik.com/2016-mazda-miata...-to-1682771004

Well, I am surprised they did not bow to the HP fiends and dial in more but with the extra 8 FT/LB of torgue and the 6 speed gearing it will be close to matching the FR-S in straightline speed and may be better around a track due to the lower weight.

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...zda-mx5-miata/

Was there an embargo or something on the reviews? or are Auto journalist just getting the chance to drive the ND now?

Yes, no one was supposed to release anything until noon eastern time today. R&T write an especially glowing review of the car but I have yet to read any negative reviews about it.

Props to Mazda for bucking the trend of more weight and more HP. I guess Tada is not the only engineer in Japan that understands that making a fun to drive car is not all about horsepower and electronics.

[airjonny]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

If you don't like the answer than why ask the question? Mazda decided what kind of car they wanted to build and built it, I guarantee the idea was kicked around to take the NC, do only minor updates to the chassis keeping it around 2,500 lbs and bump up the horsepower. Instead they put the money into a better chassis, suspension, and drivetrain and dropped in the mass produced engine available for their economy car.

Just like every Miata (non-special edition) introduced for the past 26 years.

I still want to see something where a simple tune is going to add thousands of dollars to the car. If all that money went into the chassis, I sure hope it won't have the body roll of a 90s Mustang.

[jflogerzi]

USA Spec pegs weight closer to 2400 due to stricter crash standards.

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

USA Spec pegs weight closer to 2400 due to stricter crash standards.

And the bigger engine but the weight for the US version has not been released yet. No matter what, it will be lighter than the NC and offer better overall performance.

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by Rampage

And the bigger engine but the weight for the US version has not been released yet. No matter what it will be lighter than the NC and offer better overall performance.

Yes you are correct. Either version looks fantastic. If only..

[themadscientist]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

If you don't like the answer than why ask the question? Mazda decided what kind of car they wanted to build and built it, I guarantee the idea was kicked around to take the NC, do only minor updates to the chassis keeping it around 2,500 lbs and bump up the horsepower. Instead they put the money into a better chassis, suspension, and drivetrain and dropped in the mass produced engine available for their economy car.

Just like every Miata (non-special edition) introduced for the past 26 years.

Wait, so the excuse is development money? Ok, fine, let's assume that's the case. Why not just use the NC engine?

167hp and sitting on the shelf right over there.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by airjonny

I still want to see something where a simple tune is going to add thousands of dollars to the car. If all that money went into the chassis, I sure hope it won't have the body roll of a 90s Mustang.

Because there is no such thing as "a simple tune" unless you can discount longterm reliability, emissions standards in multiple regions, fuel economy across multiple driving cycles, actual road and track performance, and driver enjoyment.

Engine design and control is not a cheap thing to do properly, it's why new engines are such a big deal, it absolutely would add to the sticker price to meet consumer demands for more power (because there's only so much you can compromise one of the factors I listed above before it begins to turn people away from the car), it's not a switch that can be easily flipped, there are repercussions.

Also worth noting that the 2.0L is being rated differently than what we currently have (lower torque), I have a feeling it's been tweaked from the Mazda3 & CX-5 we are assuming.

Mazda is not in the business of making dyno queens, very few automakers are. Might as well be asking Nissan why they aren't selling 900+ hp GTR's because "the aftermarket can do it".

People who dig Miatas are excited, the people who have never been attracted to them will continue to not be attracted to them, I fail to see your problem other than "I want mine with a sprinkle of +20hp fairy dust".

Edit:
@themadscientist You clearly did not understand my post. Mazda wants to build a car for $X MSRP, they expect to sell Y units in this market, they have Z budget to develop it and put it into production. They allocated their money to making the chassis light instead of adding power, it's not a difficult concept, they aren't running a charity, it's a profit driven company. They didn't use the NC motor because it is terribly inefficient and rather heavy (still iron block I believe), the 2.0L is an upgrade in every way (better torque curve, more efficient, lighter, meets worldwide emissions easily) except peak power.

Gotta pay to play, going fast costs money, the S2000 is dead and the Miata lives on because it has modest goals and brings a smile to the target buyer.

[airjonny]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Because there is no such thing as "a simple tune" unless you can discount longterm reliability, emissions standards in multiple regions, fuel economy across multiple driving cycles, actual road and track performance, and driver enjoyment.

Engine design and control is not a cheap thing to do properly, it's why new engines are such a big deal, it absolutely would add to the sticker price to meet consumer demands for more power (because there's only so much you can compromise one of the factors I listed above before it begins to turn people away from the car), it's not a switch that can be easily flipped, there are repercussions.

Also worth noting that the 2.0L is being rated differently than what we currently have (lower torque), I have a feeling it's been tweaked from the Mazda3 & CX-5 we are assuming.

Mazda is not in the business of making dyno queens, very few automakers are. Might as well be asking Nissan why they aren't selling 900+ hp GTR's because "the aftermarket can do it".

People who dig Miatas are excited, the people who have never been attracted to them will continue to not be attracted to them, I fail to see your problem other than "I want mine with a sprinkle of +20hp fairy dust".

My problem is them ignoring the #1 complaint of the car. It's like a basketball coach telling an offensive minded basketball player to work on his defense and the player being like "screw it im chucking more shots up this season".

If the numbers are true, what "special tuning" did Mazda do? This is basically an untouched engine that the Mazda 3 has on 87.