Only Mazda's i care about don't have cylinders!

The ND Miata is exciting because it'll be the cheapest, lightest, RWD car -- rumored to weigh in around 2200 lbs. That said, unless they release a coupe version or it comes with a rollover bar that passes track inspection, I won't be buying one.

Also I think calling the Twins a plain McD cheeseburger while the ND Miata is apparently a charbroiled BK burger with toppings sells the Twins far short. I spent the past weekend in my 350z, and took the FR-S into work today. It was a good reminder of how well Toyota/Subaru nailed the driving experience.

I've driven or owned everything from NA-NC Miatas, S2000's, Evo's, STI's, 350z/370z's, Integras, 240sx's, e36 M3's, Caymans, etc., and the Twins are definitely near or at the top of the heap in terms of responsiveness and driving experience. They're not plain McD cheeseburgers in my mind, more like In-N-Out. Simple but fresh goodness.

They revised their plans. No longer aiming for 2200lbs (1000kg), now they are saying 2420lbs (1100kg). That is about 150lbs lighter than the NC

I was at a local event John Doonan (head of Mazda Motorsports, previously Mazdaspeed) showed up to this weekend. I kept wanting to torture him for details on the ND hahah

That's still incredibly lightweight - do interrogate, I mean ask, John for as much info as possible! This car is going to be awesome like all the other MX5s.

'bout fuckin' time :D

I've always liked the NB more than the NC and if the ND is going to go to 2400-2500lbs, this is definitely a throwback to the NB.

Exciting times!

I dunno about the cheapest - maybe in the US?

In Canada, the NC is easily 35k to 45k depending on trim levels. It's stupid how expensive it is here.

To put that in perspective, that's WRX and near STI Canada money.

Well, I would wait and see what the final product is. It might weigh 150lbs less than the current gen or it could end up weighing 150lbs more.

Base model NC starts at $23.7k, more expensive than a base Mustang ($22.5k) or Camaro ($23.5k) but cheaper than the Toyobaru ($25.4k) and every other RWD coupe I can think of. All heavier, but the only RWD car lighter is Lotus I believe.

Mazda has to do something seriously interesting to recapture the market, NC sales are very low. I doubt it'll be the cheapest sports car available with a shiny new SkyActiv engine and brand new unique chassis. I'll be impressed if they maintain sub 2600 lbs and <$25k. Something has to give.

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

Yep. Here in the US, the NC Miata costs a bit more than the FR-S when similarly equipped, but doesn't come anywhere near STI pricing.

- FR-S is $24.6k USD
- Miata club spec trim (with LSD, 6-spd manual, 17" wheels, cruise, keyless entry, etc.) is $26.9k USD
- STI is $34.5k USD

The news on the weight gain on the ND is definitely disappointing. Hopefully they can meet this revised target and won't push it any higher.

I do too. I was extremely close to buying a Mazdaspeed Miata but when I sat in it and my knees hit the dash board, and with a whole lot of reconfiguring seating position I still kept hitting the steering wheel, I knew it was a no-go. I just hope they leave a little bit of extra room for us taller drivers.

Next Mazda MX-5 Miata to Debut at 2015 Chicago Auto Show
 

The next-generation Mazda MX-5 is currently scheduled to make its debut at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, where the original MX-5 was launched in 1989.


Rumor has it that the next-gen MX-5 will be “very clean and simple,” with some of the company’s veteran insiders calling it the “best-looking car ever” from Mazda. And though it’ll feature the brand’s “Kodo” design language, the MX-5 will have its own interpretation of it meaning that it won’t be like the Mazda3 or Mazda6.


Powering the MX-5 will likely be variants of the Japanese automaker’s SkyActiv engines with likely 1.5- and 2.0-liter variants available at the vehicle’s launch. Though earlier reports suggested that Mazda could turn to turbocharged powerplants, it is believed now that the MX-5 will stick to naturally aspirated engines. Expect the sports car to weigh around 2,425 lbs and will be built to support either a folding metal top or a conventional soft top.

Oops, thanks

new miata chassis doesnt look too bad
 

Looks like double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear, nice! Would like to have seen a more slanted layout for the engine, but Mazda claims this will have the lowest CG height of any Miata, so that may be a moot point.

If Mazda hits all its goals for this car (220 lbs. weight reduction, lower CG height, increased safety), I will be very impressed. And if they released a coupe, I might actually have to buy one.

Possibly on my list to replace the BRZ pending final product.

Big questions remain, the skyactiv is still a question mark when it comes to performance, the Miata has always used a workhorse engine, nothing terribly exciting, but the reliability was such that owners have been flogging them relentlessly for 25 years now.

The second question is the kodo design, Mazda's designs usually elicit two responses as of late: "Ew" or "I could live with that" depending on who you talk to.

Edit: I'm really optimistic, seems to be the biggest jump in technology the Miata has ever had, glad to hear that there's still optimism of weight loss.

Less body roll and more aggressive styling would do a ton for this car. Would really like to see that happen.

If they really do get the weight down, apply the KODO design and have double A-arms up front with multi-link in the rear it just shows me that they really want my money and I think I'll have to give it to them...



Jesus Christ! Did I just say I'm thinking about buying a Miata?!

The single longitudinal trellis brace is interesting. I like the idea of it.

And I don't particularly care for the kodo styling. I almost bought a new mazda3 hatch when I got back from deployment, until I saw the rear end. The front of the car is gorgeous. The rear has lost all its distinctive personality from the previous design and is about as vague and amorphous as you can get. I bought a motorcycle instead.

Most likely trade up my WRX if I can get a good deal on trade.

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Good to hear they're doing well on the reliability front, but it still has to be a decent engine, they've all been compared to other eco-boxes, not sports cars. Might go drive one in a few weeks though to find out for myself.

I also like the 6 & 3 styling, but not much more than that, anytime I point one out to a friend or girlfriend I get a shrug and "Yeah that looks alright", the "Ew" came from the smiley face that was still out last year, I kind of like it but it's a huge turnoff for others:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4GtXm42yte..._5door---2.jpg

Shame on you for not considering a Miata in the first place!

I don't buy smiling cars.

The engine probably isn't going to be exciting, otherwise they'd be making a big deal out of it I think. Probably just going to be the 160? hp unit lifted from the rest of the lineup, just like they've always done.

this has me more interested than the 4c or the new vette, just need up the power to weight

If they can get 180hp at 2200lb, this car is going to be a blast. I don't mind soft-top.

I'm usually pretty impressed by the Club Edition today ...

I agree that I will be tempted to make a switch when this releases. So glad to see Mazda sticking to their roots and not screwing it up.

Though, with their new Italian partnership it makes me a little nervous.

I'm so glad the new Mazda 3 got rid of that smiley face.
http://images.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/m...xt_glory_1.jpg

I much prefer the new styling going on... but Mazdas still have not quite... done it for me since the days of the RX-7. The only one in recent memory I wanted was the R3 version of the RX-8 (the ONLY version of the RX-8 I would buy, I even test drove one).

That said, when the competition gets tougher, everyone wins because of manufacturers stepping their game up.

Sweet, some results! Is the Fiat/Mazda deal still in effect? Comments are suggesting that the agreement is failing.

Don't bother, HP will either stay the same or decrease. The Miata/MX-5 is going to continue be Mazda's fastest car, that is still in production anyway.

BTW, there is not going to be a coupe. Of that I am certain.

The SkyActive fear is that with a compression ratio around 14 to 1...aftermarket FI will not be an option...

Mazda is shooting for MPG...not HP...

Not sure I agree with that philosophy on a sports car...

If the car comes out at 165HP and 2300LBS...that can be great...

175 and 2300 would probably sell me more...

Oh yeah...needs good looking styling too.

My issue is...I have a paid for amazing NA Miata that I am about to upgrade the suspension/wheels/brakes

*actually leaving to order those parts after I type this.

My point...the new Miata has to be better than my "old" Miata for them to earn my money.

Does the news say SKYACTIVE engine will boost the power and new chassis will shed the weight making the new Miata lighter and more powerful?

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If they can bring the new 2.0 Liter car in at around 2200 LBs with160-175 HP it will give the twins fits on the street as well as track and autox courses. They would have to build in enough interior room for 6'2" in order to get me really interested. Otherwise, my Spyder can still only really be replaced by a FR-S.

Not too many visual differences other than the electric steering and some refinements.

New
http://www.thetorquereport.com/Next-...%20Chassis.jpg
Old
http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-1280x782.jpg

Well alfa Romeo is designing the shape so........

Sorry but that has to be one of the stupider things I've read on a forum. A high compression ratio gives you more power in the same engine. They are very much shooting for hp. Are Porsche, Subaru, Ferrari, etc. all shooting for mpg instead of hp by having 12.5+ compression ratios? I guess all engines should come with 8:1 compression so you can safely run 3 bar boost if you might want to, nevermind that the engine makes 15% less power without boost.

Anyways back on topic sort of, the 14:1 CR plus the fact that it doesn't make any more power than your usual 2L engine makes me suspect that with a higher lift cam and tuned intake manifold you could probably get that thing up to nearly 200hp with a tune, considering that the exhaust manifold is pretty good already, even the USA version with the shorter headers. The FA20 can do 200hp with only 12.5:1, with a slightly higher rev limit.

If the compression is too high...forced induction is extremely dangerous.

This means...if the engine comes with 165 HP and 14:1 compression...there will not be easy ways to increase power with aftermarket.

This is why its easier to get an LS Motor to increase 30% of its HP.

The FA20 is a great engine...but it is a ticking time bomb if the supercharger or turbo isn't tuned right.

On a less high strung engine...you can have "knock" and tune the knock out...

On a high compression engine...you get knock...and then you have a blown engine.

Also...one thing I didn't write because I didn't think people would be interested...

The SkyActive engines are really neat...but odd. Odd shaped pistons...over square...long stroke...etc etc.

Long story short...it will be a solid engine...but not an engine that I think belongs in a sports car. It will have a low Redline and is notoriously hard to tune (aftermarket).

Actually maybe this makes my concerns easier...

The SkyActive engines are supposedly low revving, impossible to tune engines. Very proprietary...you aren't a header and tune from 25 HP...

I really love Miatas...I just fear too much tech may kinda limit the ceiling of the new Miata. (that make sense?)

Please Mazda give us a coupe version!

It always irks me that the German sports cars like Boxter/Cayman/Z3/Z4 can get choices for coupe/vert, multiple engines etc, but the Japanese sports cars like s2k/miata/RX8/twins there is always only one basic car with the only choices being basically cosmetic...

True true true, but this is what we're getting in a cheaper car with an engine lifted from the rest of the lineup. As far as stroke goes, yes the stroke is getting longer on a lot of engines, but rods haven't gotten any stronger or lighter, neither have valves, and ECUs are getting harder and harder to crack.

On an older engine if you really want more revs it's comparatively easy, get one from a junkyard since there's so many of them, throw in one of a million aftermarket rod/valve/piston options, upgraded oil pump, and then use an Apexi PFC or Greddy EMU and do what you like for a reasonable cost. Now you have waves of new engines coming since car companies need to improve fuel efficiency instead of milking consumers with 10 year old engines, the more exotic engines are getting cut to save money, and the cost to modify the more economy oriented engines for performance is higher.

From a performance perspective it's not like we're going backwards, the old Mazda engines were all pieces of crap, and so were most of the Toyota engines and Subaru engines. The Subaru engines that made power guzzled gas like crazy, the 2ZZ was good minus oiling issues but it didn't come on many cars, and since 2007 high revvers have been getting axed one after the other. The newer economy engines have the same pathetic rev limits, but at least they have more hp and mpg than the old ones. Heck, the FA20 is 86mm stroke which is not short but the rods are super tiny, which is really bad for high revs.

I agree 100%.

I really want to love the New Miata or the New Nissan 510 thing...

But I have a sweet NA Miata that is a blast to drive and cheap to own. So it gets hard to justify swapping out.

Certain cars out now just "nailed it". The Twins...amazing! The Miata...amazing. An unmolested 240SX (though hard to find) are amazing!

I do agree though...the new technology is better.

I just guess I like the idea of hot-rodding a little bit.:party0030:

BTW I see you have an MR-S...I had 2 AW-11 MR2s...Loved those damn cars...but parts and reliability were just becoming issues for me.

I would love to see Toyota re-release the MR-S...