The next-gen MX-5 Miata thread

[David]

Man, that is hot to death.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I thought pornographic images were no no on this forum

 

[Heldenzeit]

Hype.

 

[05XR8]

There really is no reason to buy an 86/BRZ now.

Edit: Imagine Mazda try a shooting brake concept...

 

[Fastcarguy]

I want it. A lot.

 

[Minty]

There really is no reason to buy an 86/BRZ now.

Edit: Imagine Mazda try a shooting brake concept...

Yeah there is, my 6'2" self can't fit in the Miata. I don't know how they did it, but I'm pretty sure the BRZ/86 is actually bigger on the inside.

 

[05XR8]

Yeah there is, my 6'2" self can't fit in the Miata. I don't know how they did it, but I'm pretty sure the BRZ/86 is actually bigger on the inside.

The BR-Z seat, is millimetres from the ground. Plus, it has more knee room from the dash to the driver's legs.

I'm 6' and find the MX-5 just right.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Finally saw an ND up close while in San Diego last weekend. Was a BBS/Brembo car in Soul Red and looked damn nice. 👍

 

[homeforsummer]

The BR-Z seat, is millimetres from the ground. Plus, it has more knee room from the dash to the driver's legs.

I'm 6' and find the MX-5 just right.

Body shape and proportion is as much a factor as height. I've come across people my height (5'9") who swear they can't get comfortable in an MX-5, and people over 6' who fit just fine.

All that aside, I'd say there are still plenty of reasons to pick an 86/BRZ over the MX-5. Much as I like the ND, the 86 still has better body control, a better driving position and more steering feel. And much greater chassis rigidity, since there's a proper roof. The MX-5 looks better, to me at least, and has a better engine, but the Toyota/Subaru is probably the better driver's car.

 

[05XR8]

 

[bremics]

****ing nice.

 

[ToyGTone]

There really is no reason to buy an 86/BRZ now.

Unless you live over here where mazda clearly hates us. For start, the NA and NB were never released here. They started to finally sell the MX5 with the NC and that car itself took couple years before it reached here. Now they haven't given us the ND yet.

That means if i had the money to buy between this and 86/BRZ, i'm forced to go with the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ even thought i prefer the MX5.

 

[05XR8]

Unless you live over here where mazda clearly hates us. For start, the NA and NB were never released here. They started to finally sell the MX5 with the NC and that car itself took couple years before it reached here. Now they haven't given us the ND yet.

That means if i had the money to buy between this and 86/BRZ, i'm forced to go with the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ even thought i prefer the MX5.

Not cool.

My meaning is more towards people that wouldn't buy an MX-5 due to the cutesy sounding of the "Miata" name. Also, the fact it has two seats and a soft top(and if Matt Farah can fit in one, anyone can ). The NC PRHT was $55kAUD. Sales dropped way off because of price. Now, the price is right, there's a permanent looking PRHT and a couple engine choices(for the soft tops mind you). Even if the 86/BR-Z is the better driver's car, Mazda slapped this car down like a 6/6 domino as if to say, "It's not the world's best selling sports car for nothing."

 

[Heldenzeit]

So good...

 

[05XR8]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/193039E12C50AA8CCA257FCE0024639D

By TUNG NGUYEN

WHILE the UK-spec Abarth 124 Spider is priced nearly £6300 ($A12,279) more than its Mazda MX-5 donor car, GoAuto has learned the Australian price disparity will be much smaller, with the Scorpion-badged roadster expected to arrive in showrooms with a circa-$45,000 before on-roads sticker price.

Although exact pricing and specification has yet to be confirmed, the pricing puts the entry-level 127kW/250Nm Italian-styled convertible just $5000 away from the range-topping $39,550 (plus costs) 118kW/200Nm 2.0-litre MX-5 GT automatic.

As reported by GoAuto last month, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia senior manager of product planning and strategy Alan Swanson said the Abarth 124 Spider would be positioned clearly away from its Japanese counterpart.

“Obviously our focus on bringing a more performance-orientated version of the car is something that maybe differentiates us very slightly from what’s being done with the vehicle on the same platform,” he said.

“There’s very big potential with that car and moving it away from the rest of that competitive environment.”

A mid-$40,000 pricetag would make the Abarth 124 Spider the only European-branded two-seat, rear-drive convertible in that price bracket – BMW’s Z4 and Mercedes-Benz’ SLK both starting at over $80,000 – while also positioning it away from entry-level Japanese sportscars including the Toyota 86 ($29,990) and Mazda MX-5 ($31,990) with which it shares a platform.

To justify the price, Abarth will offer the Record Monza exhaust as an option in Australian showrooms, which is standard in overseas models.

Australian-spec versions will still be powered by a 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder engine and feature a completely redesigned front end, rear and interior styling compared with its Mazda MX-5 sister car.

As GoAuto has reported, FCA Australia will not offer the 119kW/250Nm Fiat-badged 124 Spider Down Under, with the Abarth the only Italian-branded option for buyers.

Power will be sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual gearbox or automatic Sequenziale Sportivo transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters via a mechanical self-locking differential.

The Abarth is able to propel itself from zero to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 232km/h, while also getting stiffer anti-roll bars, Bilistein dampers, 17-inch alloy wheels and larger Brembo brakes to make the most of its low 1060kg kerb weight and perfect 50:50 weight distribution.

To further differentiate the Abarth 124 Spider, a matte-black bonnet and boot are installed to help reduce glare, red is used to highlight wing mirrors, brake callipers, the front splitter and seats, and special Scorpion badging is used throughout the interior and exterior.

Standard equipment will include air-conditioning, keyless entry and engine start, cruise control, electric folding door mirrors, a four-speaker sound system and an infotainment system with a 7.0-inch colour screen with digital radio, USB input and Bluetooth connectivity.

Options will likely include heated seats, satellite navigation and a premium nine-speaker Bose sound system with speakers in the headrests and a subwoofer.

I wonder if it too, will get the hard top.

 

[RocZX]

MX-5 Icon to be unveiled at Goodwood

 

[FT-1]

Did Mazda get slightly jealous of the Abarth 124 colour scheme?

 

[Grandea GTR]

Did Mazda get slightly jealous of the Abarth 124 colour scheme?

I was about to say NISMO, but Abarth makes more sense for this one.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Wonder how much they are charging for some red accents and a badge or two.

 

[FT-1]

Wonder how much they are charging for some red accents and a badge or two.

It costs £20,995, which is £800 more than the model it is based on in the UK (SE-L Nav). Comes with more equipment than red accents.

Source

 

[CodeRedR51]

Edit: I forgot to mention that Flyin' Miata has announced that they will be purchasing a 124 and they will be making parts for them. 👍

 

[Cale]

Flyin' Fiata

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I wonder if Fiat could make 124 Abarth "Stinger" edition for hotter Abarth model.. Then again, they could always bring back the classic hot Abarth badge, Mirafiori..

 

[05XR8]

The MX-5 now seems a bit soft after watching that 124 video.
The name is better as well. I'm almost feeling the look of the 124 as well. Almost. Just seems like so much going on in the front end with the lines. The knife edse looks and the round taillights are what i dig about the MX-5.
How many Spider Man(SPDRMN, SPDRMAN) number plates will be made for this?

 

[Cale]

How many Spider Man(SPDRMN, SPDRMAN) number plates will be made for this?

Are you referring to the scorpion on the Abarth badge?

 

[05XR8]

Are you referring to the scorpion on the Abarth badge?

It's a Fiat 124 Spider. Yes?

 

[Cale]

D'oh

 

[homeforsummer]

I wonder if Fiat could make 124 Abarth "Stinger" edition for hotter Abarth model.. Then again, they could always bring back the classic hot Abarth badge, Mirafiori..

My guess is there'll eventually be dozens of hotter Abarth models, just as Fiat has milked the 500 in the same way. An Essesse version probably, though I can't help but imagine one taken to the same extremes as the 595 Biposto, with an open-gate gear shifter, carbonfibre everywhere etc.

 

[Slum]

Mazda had a small gathering yesterday at their North American HQ in Irvine last night, which I was able to go to. The car looks excellent in person. It would be very hard for me to choose between this and the regular soft top.

Lots of mechanisms back here. The engineers said that the weight balance has changed slightly, but only to the degree of a few pounds. Basically the difference between an empty and full tank of gas.

Hey I went there a few times with Dave Atkins and Mazda Mike. #Memories

 

[Moglet]

I saw a new model MX5 in black with black wheels today and it looked fantastic. I wasn't keen on them at first but in the metal they are beautiful cars.