Next generation Mazda MX-5 due next year
 

Updated with press release

2016 MAZDA MX-5

https://news.mazdausa.com/vehicles-2016-mx-5

https://news.mazdausa.com/image/2016...170_header.jpg



Link: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mazda/2...-ar101489.html

Sounds very promising.

I think they should just leave the Shinari design out of the Miata and actually bring Shinari out of the freakin bag already and put it to production.

Expanding the lineup might not be a good idea for Mazda. They also have been very successful with Miata for years, but don't see making the car looks better would hurt them.

Hartop turbo Miata? Yes please :)

I don't have problem with mazda giving the miata a face lift but I would like them to stop dangling the Shinari concept, I'm not a cat lol.

Cat? :D

http://www.weirdthings.org.uk/wp-con...ll-the-cat.jpg


Under 1000kg and 150hp is just awesome.

Well that is awesome to hear. Can't wait till they reveal the new Miata.

So hardtop, Turbo, ~2,200lbs and 150hp is cool tho 200hp would be nicer for the weight...

I actually like the looks of this concept.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezfl...azda-miata.jpg

You can easily add power and keep the comfort and practicality at the same level. You can't do that by reducing weight.

Says less than $25k and then later on says a little under $30k. Hope Mazda is still aiming for under $25k.

Hardtop, with turbo at ~2100-2200lbs would be nice. :)

Especially at under 25k, goddamn.

With the new SkyActive engine, the Miata would finally make decent power and fuel economy. If it comes with a 2 liter engine, it could be real competition for the FRS/BRZ. It would produce more power/weight and have better fuel economy and be a simpler engine (one set of camshafts and injectors) and cost less overall. However, I would still prefer an FRS/BRZ for the practicality of fold down rear seats and the smoother/lower boxer engine. The Miatas feel almost too small for me anyway. I still love the last generation though (pre 2006).

http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/imag...o_473035_7.jpg
If they shrunk this, made it a coupe, and stuck a rotary engine in it, it would be a pretty badass rx-7.

There was talks about merging the RX-7 and the MX-5 a while ago.

I like this!

Was that about using the same chassis? I thought I heard that as well. Won't it be the RX-9 and not the RX-7?

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...pe_1024x0w.jpg

Now we're talking!

Having a Miata with the SkyActive piston engine and an RX-9 with a new direct injected rotary engine (in development) would be a strong offering from Mazda. The BRZ/FRS gives me hope that we will see a new era of sports cars offered from Japan like in the 90's.

Speaking of which, any news on that new rotary. Last I heard they were thinking of using lasers on it instead of spark plugs.

Not that I know of. I think they've put it aside for the moment. But I'm sure we'll see one in the next few years.

I really liked the Furai concept even though it was a race car. It would be pretty sweet if they had similar styling for the RX-9.

http://www.autospectator.com/cars/fi...Furai_9049.jpg

http://www.autospectator.com/cars/fi...Furai_9003.jpg

http://www.autospectator.com/cars/fi...Furai_8833.jpg

http://www.autospectator.com/cars/fi...Furai_8594.jpg

The MX5 back in the neighborhood of 2200lbs doesn't need 200hp. That would be...a little stupid. Certainly fun though. I'm just saying it wouldn't need 200hp to compete. Americans have problems with tiny engines; though perhaps a tiny turbo engine would alleviate that concern. First lets see how the 500 Abarth does with that formula.

There was an update about a month ago.

That's cool, I hope they figure it out.
I haven't thought about this carefully, but there seems to be a fairly low compression ratio limit to the Wankel design isn't there?

Thanks for the link.

Just remember is the "golden years of the 90s Japanese sports cars" the cars got so expensive that only a very few could afford them new. MR2s around 30K, Supra 36K, RX7 32K, Twin turbo Nissan 300ZX 35K. It wasn't until the late 90s and early 2000s that tuners could get the cars used and the scene really exploded.

Well yeah but then again those cars probably should have cost that much considering the technology they had. My Eclipse was only $26k when new with AWD, LSD, turbo, and every luxury you could think of at the time (I bought it used). But that's a good point about the used market exploding. We were left with some pretty nice used options afterwards but now they are getting too old. So this time around I would like to see more simple, low cost options such as:

Scion FR-S (4 seat coupe FR NA 4U-GSE 4 cyl. engine) - $25000
Scion MR-S (2 seat conv. MR NA 2ZR-FAE 4 cyl. engine) - $24000
Mazda MX-5 (2 seat conv. FR NA SkyActive-G 4 cyl. engine) - $24000
Mazda RX-9 (4 seat coupe FR NA SkyActive-Rotary engine) - $26000

With their apex sealing issues at low rpm, why don't they just gas-port them like drag racing guys do to keep pressure on piston cylinder rings?

Wouldn't Toyota/Scion charge more for the convertible "MR-S." You know the "convertible tax." Not trying to flame, but convertibles tend to be more expensive for a similarly equipped model, right?

Yeah, maybe. I was just going off of the price of the old MRS which was only 23k. And since it's just an inline 4 with a transaxle like a front engine, and smaller with only 2 seats, I figured it could probably be made cheaper. But it's the same engine as in the new Lotus Elise so it could be made like an Elise but cost half the price. It would be a potent little car!

Inflation is a bitch, I can't see a lower than FRS price...

OK, make it $25k then. :P They were just general estimates of how much they could cost.

I've got an '05 MazdaSpeed Miata. With the things done I'm about 220ish and 2400 since ading a roll bar and my fat self. It's a total blast while surprising a lot of mustang/camaros. Now I just need ecu, new turbo, wheels/tires, lower gearing and it's done. Full boost hits and I spin 1st through 3rd!

BTW, this is what happens when the normal Toyota designers are asked to make a "fun" car: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlpvina...n/photostream/

Oh god...

http://www.xdtalk.com/gallery/data/6.../eyebleach.jpg

This really deserved to be the RX-9. Styling wise, the RX deserves nothing less.

Not going to see an MR-2 and FR-s at the same price point. Certainly not under the same brand. I think next time around the MR will depart from the 3rd gen the way the 2nd departed from the first. Bigger, more refined, heavier (unfortunately) Probably will be V6 and hybrid ;)

http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg...concept-ii.jpg

That is....... futuristic, not fun.

I think this is more their idea of something "fun and affordable"

http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/word...03-640x426.jpg

2015 Mazda MX-5 to be highly customizable - report
 

According to a recent report, the next-generation Mazda MX-5 will offer a number of personalization options.
MINI and Fiat have been pioneers in this area, but Mazda is a newcomer to the vehicle customization. However, Akira Tamatani told What Car? Mazda is considering more options "to help [build] a customer's relationship with the car." Besides offering more variety, the options will likely pad the automaker's bottom line.
As we have previously reported, the 2014 / 2015 MX-5 is expected to weigh 100 kg (220 lbs) less than the current model and feature a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with approximately 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS). Little else is known about the model, but it will be built in Hiroshima, Japan and there will be an Alfa Romeo variant.

lol where did they get the 200hp 1.3L turbo from? It's not that special in terms of specific power but I don't believe it.

Agreed. I read fairly recently that they were having trouble getting adequate horsepower out of the small turbocharged engine and would not be using the 1.3. I guess at this point it is all speculation. We will just have to wait and see what Mazda comes up with.

Not only that, 200hp is a fuckton of power for a car like this. They could get away with much much less, and not to mention it would be an insurance liability.