Next MX-5 to be SUB 2,000 lbs
10-10-2008, 12:22 PM
#1
Administrator
Thread Starter
Next MX-5 to be SUB 2,000 lbs
From Autocar this morning http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...a-MX-5/235339/
I cant remember where now but i remember reading some other article about possible 1.4 or 1.6 litre turbo engines.
that going to be un-fing believably fun to toss around
The next-generation Mazda MX-5 will be re-engineered as a lightweight, sub-one tonne two-seater, most likely powered by a down-sized petrol engine.
"The next MX-5 needs to be much lighter," said program manager Takao Kijima. "And we also need to get CO2 levels down to the B-car [Mazda 2] level."
Kijima said the next MX-5 must weigh less than 1000kg, a cut of around 120kg compared to today's 1120kg car. That's a similar weight to the original MX-5, which weighed in at 945kg.
Mazda's target is a 10 per cent "minimum" weight reduction, which will also apply to all of its new models from 2011.
The MX-5 will stick with its front-engine/rear-drive layout and a steel body and platform. "Alloy is out of the question, as it's too expensive," said Kijima.
Mazda is also targeting a dramatic reduction in tailpipe emissions of carbon and is aiming for 120g/km, a 40g/km cut on today's 160g/km.
As well as the weight saving, more efficient engines are part of Mazda's plan. "I am sure a downsized engine will be necessary," said Kijima.
That most likely means 1.6 and 1.8 engines in place of today's 1.8 and 2.0 units, although it could also mean a highly efficient, possibly turbocharged, 1.4-litre unit.
Julian Rendell
"The next MX-5 needs to be much lighter," said program manager Takao Kijima. "And we also need to get CO2 levels down to the B-car [Mazda 2] level."
Kijima said the next MX-5 must weigh less than 1000kg, a cut of around 120kg compared to today's 1120kg car. That's a similar weight to the original MX-5, which weighed in at 945kg.
Mazda's target is a 10 per cent "minimum" weight reduction, which will also apply to all of its new models from 2011.
The MX-5 will stick with its front-engine/rear-drive layout and a steel body and platform. "Alloy is out of the question, as it's too expensive," said Kijima.
Mazda is also targeting a dramatic reduction in tailpipe emissions of carbon and is aiming for 120g/km, a 40g/km cut on today's 160g/km.
As well as the weight saving, more efficient engines are part of Mazda's plan. "I am sure a downsized engine will be necessary," said Kijima.
That most likely means 1.6 and 1.8 engines in place of today's 1.8 and 2.0 units, although it could also mean a highly efficient, possibly turbocharged, 1.4-litre unit.
Julian Rendell
that going to be un-fing believably fun to toss around
10-10-2008, 01:35 PM
#6
Void Where Prohibited
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mineola, TX
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A related article I read has its dimensions going back to being close to the NA.
http://www.motorauthority.com/major-...x-5-miata.html
LOL - typical
http://www.motorauthority.com/major-...x-5-miata.html
As for the car’s styling and proportions, the Japanese exec revealed that it would be closer in size to the original 1989 model. However, interior space and safety will be better than the current car due to improved engineering and clever packaging.
Kijima admits he gets “many requests to make MX-5 bigger and more powerful”, mainly from the United States, but that the character of the car is built on its compact dimensions and light weight. “We must balance these requests with nimble and light weight,” he explained.
10-10-2008, 02:48 PM
#8
The Slow and the Serious
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Communistwealth of Virginia
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kijima admits he gets “many requests to make MX-5 bigger (to accommodate my fat ***) and more powerful (to carry my fat ***)”, mainly from the United States, but that the character of the car is built on its compact dimensions and light weight. “We must balance these requests with nimble and light weight (unlike my fat ***),” he explained.
10-10-2008, 03:09 PM
#10
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So they want a 1.3L ish range eh? turbo charge eh?
Now, what kind engine does Mazda have in that category that when turbocharged could make for a ****-ton of fun?
Now, what kind engine does Mazda have in that category that when turbocharged could make for a ****-ton of fun?
10-10-2008, 04:18 PM
#11
Huge hole is huge
10-10-2008, 05:17 PM
#14
Curves Ahead
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From Autocar this morning http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...a-MX-5/235339/
I cant remember where now but i remember reading some other article about possible 1.4 or 1.6 litre turbo engines.
that going to be un-fing believably fun to toss around
I cant remember where now but i remember reading some other article about possible 1.4 or 1.6 litre turbo engines.
that going to be un-fing believably fun to toss around
1 tonne (metric) is equal to 2,204.62 pounds.
10-10-2008, 06:27 PM
#16
Administrator
Thread Starter
yeah i realized after i made the thread that they meant metric tonne . im glad someone finally caught on.
the story says less than 1000 kilos - so - less than 2204.62
the story says less than 1000 kilos - so - less than 2204.62
