The next-gen MX-5 Miata thread

[DaehlateM]

I can't say that I loved Miatas until the NC, but after buying one I fully have fallen for the culture. It wasn't until I modded the complete hell out of it, I didn't realize what potential they had. As long as Mazda creates the ND to be a blank canvas like they have with the previous gens, it will be a hit. Some guys make them soft and put chrome on them, some guys gut them and track them. There aren't many cars you can daily drive, grocery shop, put the top down, chase and eat 90% of cars at the local track, get 30mpg+, get a hard top or a soft top, get tranny options (5spd/6spd/6spd auto) and not see on every corner.

The Miata is the perfect car and no matter what comes out, it will be on top 10 lists until the next iteration comes out....long after this BRZ/FRS fad is over with.

 

[RocZX]

CarScoops rendering of MX-5 Miata....

 

[homeforsummer]

I'm not sure how accurate that is really, since the previous Autocar article had said that Mazda wasn't intending to use its current design language on the car.

 

[Aquarelle]

I hope it looks nothing like that... it just looks... bloated..?

 

[guywithanAE86]

I dunno, that looks way too big to be a Miata.

 

[RocZX]

25th Anniversary of the MX-5 Miata




25th Anniversary WEBSITE

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

MX-5 25th -> Miata was almost a FWD (bottom left)! Also an MR-2 copy (middle).

ARTICLE 1

ARTICLE 2

^ Something new I learned!

 

[Aquarelle]

I was talking to my friend who's an MX5 enthusiast and he was telling me that the MX5 came into creation because a guy who worked for Triumph was complaining to a guy from Mazda that there are no more affordable British roadsters any more.. 6 months later they rang him up and asked if he was interested in going to Japan and designing it.

If that's true, I'm so glad those two people bumped into each other - because where would we be without this fantastic little car?

 

[CodeRedR51]

I was talking to my friend who's an MX5 enthusiast and he was telling me that the MX5 came into creation because a guy who worked for Triumph was complaining to a guy from Mazda that there are no more affordable British roadsters any more.. 6 months later they rang him up and asked if he was interested in going to Japan and designing it.

If that's true, I'm so glad those two people bumped into each other - because where would we be without this fantastic little car?

Here you go.

 

[niky]

MX-5 25th -> Miata was almost a FWD (bottom left)! Also an MR-2 copy (middle).

ARTICLE 1

ARTICLE 2

^ Something new I learned!

Funnily enough, they started producing the front-wheel drive MX3 just two years after the MX5.

-

Too bad the first sketch was on a chalkboard. Tradition demands a sketch done on a napkin in a pub.

 

[Aquarelle]

Here you go.

Not quite the story I was told then, that's a shame - still, a very interesting watch; cheers! 👍

 

[CodeRedR51]

The worst part about that video: the style bar in Leno's personal car. Come on Jay, you should know better.

 

[homeforsummer]

The worst part about that video: the style bar in Leno's personal car. Come on Jay, you should know better.

It's one of my pet hates. So many people fit them in the UK. First thing I'd remove if one I bought had it installed.

 

[Aquarelle]

Yeah, you'd think Jay would know better than to fit a mouse trap..

 

[Beeblebrox237]

The worst part about that video: the style bar in Leno's personal car. Come on Jay, you should know better.

Do you mean the chrome roll bar? Is it possible that it's functional? I never really minded them, but it is a bit silly to have if it doesn't do anything.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Do you mean the chrome roll bar? Is it possible that it's functional? I never really minded them, but it is a bit silly to have if it doesn't do anything.

That's what is known as a "style bar" because it only bolts to the top or sides of the seat belt towers. It serves absolutely no purpose other than to look good. It will not save your head in the event of a crash.

Style bar:

This what they do in the event of a roll over: (fold over)

Proper Roll Bar:

But I prefer these:

 

[Beeblebrox237]

That's what is known as a "style bar" because it only bolts to the top or sides of the seat belt towers. It serves absolutely no purpose other than to look good. It will not save your head in the event of a crash.

...

I see now, thanks. It looks downright dangerous in a rollover!

 

[Dennisch]

Fiat or its Abarth performance subbrand are likely to get a roadster from Mazda instead of Alfa Romeo, sources say.

Fiat and Mazda product planners plan to meet soon to discuss the potential badge change for the MX-5-based two-seat car, the sources added.

Alfa, which will debut a concept version of its planned 4C convertible at the Geneva auto show on Tuesday, was supposed to get the Japan-build roadster at the start of next year.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, however, put that plan in doubt when he told the Financial Times last September that there won't be any Alfas built outside of Italy as long as he is boss. Marchionne plans to stay at Fiat-Chrysler until at least 2017.

Marchionne reconfirmed at the Detroit auto show in January that no Alfas will be built outside Italy, but declined to discuss the future of the roadster that Mazda is supposed to make for Alfa.

He said more details about future Fiat Group products would be revealed in early May.

The sources say that Fiat's product planners in Turin are looking for ways to fulfill the terms of their supply contract with Mazda because walking away from the deal would be extremely expensive, something Fiat wants to avoid as it aims to return to profit in Europe by 2016 after posting heavy losses in the region last year.

The sources didn't say which other brand is the most likely to add the roadster. Fiat's other near-premium brand, Lancia, is not in contention for the car because Marchionne has decided to reduce the 108-year-old marque to a one-model brand, the Ypsilon, that only is sold in Italy. Lancia will be discontinued outside its home market starting this year.

The planned 1.4-liter turbo-gasoline roadster probably would be too small and underpowered for supercar brands Ferrari and Maserati. That leaves the Fiat brand and Abarth.

"Abarth really makes sense for a lightweight, small displacement, high-output two-seat roadster, which perfectly fits the brand's DNA," one of the sources said.

During previous discussions about the Alfa-Mazda roadster, Fiat said that the car would be an heir to the legendary Duetto Spider driven by Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate." Mazda will build the roadster at its factory in Hiroshima.

 

[Nessy]

Fiat or its Abarth performance subbrand are likely to get a roadster from Mazda instead of Alfa Romeo, sources say.

Fiat and Mazda product planners plan to meet soon to discuss the potential badge change for the MX-5-based two-seat car, the sources added.

Alfa, which will debut a concept version of its planned 4C convertible at the Geneva auto show on Tuesday, was supposed to get the Japan-build roadster at the start of next year.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, however, put that plan in doubt when he told the Financial Times last September that there won't be any Alfas built outside of Italy as long as he is boss. Marchionne plans to stay at Fiat-Chrysler until at least 2017.

Marchionne reconfirmed at the Detroit auto show in January that no Alfas will be built outside Italy, but declined to discuss the future of the roadster that Mazda is supposed to make for Alfa.

He said more details about future Fiat Group products would be revealed in early May.

The sources say that Fiat's product planners in Turin are looking for ways to fulfill the terms of their supply contract with Mazda because walking away from the deal would be extremely expensive, something Fiat wants to avoid as it aims to return to profit in Europe by 2016 after posting heavy losses in the region last year.

The sources didn't say which other brand is the most likely to add the roadster. Fiat's other near-premium brand, Lancia, is not in contention for the car because Marchionne has decided to reduce the 108-year-old marque to a one-model brand, the Ypsilon, that only is sold in Italy. Lancia will be discontinued outside its home market starting this year.

The planned 1.4-liter turbo-gasoline roadster probably would be too small and underpowered for supercar brands Ferrari and Maserati. That leaves the Fiat brand and Abarth.

"Abarth really makes sense for a lightweight, small displacement, high-output two-seat roadster, which perfectly fits the brand's DNA," one of the sources said.

During previous discussions about the Alfa-Mazda roadster, Fiat said that the car would be an heir to the legendary Duetto Spider driven by Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate." Mazda will build the roadster at its factory in Hiroshima.

It's a shame really if that happens, but i guess it makes sense really.. Anyway, a modern take on the 'Fiat 124 Spider Abarth' would be truly awesome.

[EDIT] They really should do that. Fiat, please make it so.

 

[Dennisch]

As long as the Fiat group builds a small open rwd sports car, I could not care what badge it has.

 

[YSSMAN]

It makes sense either way for me. I'm surprised they didn't anticipate the product overlap between the MX-5 based one and the 4C previously. But, then again, this is Fiat, and they just seem to be doing whatever they can to get our attention right now.

So, let's say it is a Fiat Coupe that maybe wears and Abarth badge. I won't have to carry as hefty a price as the Alfa would, but how much of a premium would it really command over a reasonably equipped MX-5? That could be interesting, particularly when Mazda has increased their prices on some models slightly, while, at least in the US, Fiat seems to be increasingly known for their incentives - making the cars a little more wallet friendly.

 

[Nessy]

I'm not sure it would command a premium over a reasonably equipped MX-5. Maybe it would be a direct competitor, like Subaru has done with the Toyota/Scion coupe, and equally priced too.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Partial debut in New York?

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/03/21/will-mazda-show-next-miatas-chassis-new-york-auto-show/

 

[RocZX]

The next MX-5 Miata SkyActiv chassis

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Chassis is a strong word! Looks good so far, has the engine in MX-5s always been mounted that far back or have they made a greater effort fro a front-mid mounted engine?

 

[TheCracker]

Thought it was a backbone chassis at first.

ie the Elan:

 

[niky]

Same here. Though it would be a pretty flimsy backbone if so!

Interesting how they solved the Skyactiv header dilemma... tilt the engine all the way over to the other side to make room for the runners.

 

[homeforsummer]

Chassis is a strong word! Looks good so far, has the engine in MX-5s always been mounted that far back or have they made a greater effort fro a front-mid mounted engine?

Last MX-5's engine was similarly front-mid mounted, judging by photos I found on google. The block appears to be just forward of the axle line on NA and NB cars.

That "backbone" in the image is Mazda's "power plant frame". Essentially minimizes flex between the gearbox and diff under hard acceleration, but doesn't support the car like the Elan's frame.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, they said it was 220lbs (100kg) lighter. That's a good step forward.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Well, they said it was 220lbs (100kg) lighter. That's a good step forward.

As far as? That photo above of the new drivetrain is how all Miata's have been set up since the beginning.