And here's to hoping that those Milennia S wheels don't make it onto the production version.....

 

Two things I love in a Miata: Factory navigation and auto-retractable, disappearing top. Any way we'll either/both of these? I really don't keep up with trends...

 

You get a convertible '8. Hot!

 

Since I can't post on the autoweek page, I'll respond to one of their comment here: "I don't think it looks bigger; my primitive and not terribly precise way of guessing its size (holding fingers apart the height of one of the drivers and then seeing how many "drivers" fit into the car's length, very sophisticated) doesn't make it appear notably lengthy."

To which I reply, yes but don't forget these are stumpy little Japanese drivers. You gotta adjust your scale accordingly. lol :p

 

Wow! If the Miata looks like that Motor Trend drawing I think I'm gonna skip the 8 and buy one of those as my college graduation gift to myself.

 

Do the legoland men come with it or are they an option?

 

The trickle down of RX8 parts and design is partly due to FORD having a say in the production to lower manufacturing costs.

 

Dude, trickle-down is my word! :D

 

How about trickle-up instead?

 

Dont worry, no matter how they look, they wont have the same MPG and HP as our cars!! *cough*

 

bump

 

hmmm, I don't know, seems pretty weak to me. I would have expected more of a departure from the current design. Oh well, I would never buy one anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter.

 

The Miata's front end in that picture looks pretty cool. Mazda needs to do something with the rest of the body. I think it needs a bit less curves. This car could use a good 4-cylinder. 2.3 liter turbo engine?

 

I agree- the front looks awesome, but the rear end looks too much like the classic roadster body (don't get me wrong, I think the 1st gen Miata was the best looking so far, but if you're going for a new look, make it consistent). I think Mazda should try to stay 2.0L or lower with a similar high revving powerband like the Miatas always have, but try to get NA power closer to 180hp or so. If Honda can get 240hp out of 2L, there's no reason Mazda can't get close to 200.

As for more power, turbos and SC's are nice options, but one main reason for the Miata's popularity is it's bullet proof reliability - Mazda won't go screw that up with x-charging the Miata across the board (i.e. keep it to the MazdaSpeed line).

 

I reserved the turbo statement for a possible MS Miata, much like the current one. What are the Miata's rivals? It's too underpowered for an S2000, and the MR-S is being phased out.

 

BTW, I have no idea where that cover came from, some guy at work sent it to me. It may be a photoshop for all I know.

Question: If the Miata will be based on a RX-8, will it be able to stay around the current 2500ish pound weight? Yeah, you get a shorter wheelbase and no back seats, but the 4 cylinder weighs more and then you've got the additional bracing and top required for a convertible.

 

Interesting, if that cover is real, they sure took a lot of RX-8 styling cues.

The 1st gen. Miata remains an original. With the 2nd gen, it morphed into a kind of FD RX-7ish Miata. Now it looks like an RX-8ish Miata.

 

Well, maybe the 1st gen. Miata mimicked the headlamps of the FC.

 

Nope. The NC MX-5's floorpan will be derived from the RX-8's, but it won't be the same - it will be shorter and narrower. Mazda's target isn't the current 2500 lbs, the NC is targeted to weigh 2200 lb (and they'll be close). Even if they only get it for 2300, that's about the same as the original 90 Miata, with much stiffer chassis, more power, bigger brakes and wheels, more features, etc.

Regards,
Gordon

 

oh no way, they're round. the FC's were 100% square.