No more Alfa. the car in collaboration with Mazda will be Fiat or Abarth badged.

Engine will probably (90%) a 1.4 turbo Fiat engine.

Has it been 100% confirmed Fiat will take it from Alfa? What I read yesterday that was just a consideration.

not 100% but very close. Alfa plans a bigger spider (think about a BMW z4-sized) from a new platform RWD in-house made. (the team is working in Modena area)

the hirosima-builded car will be probably Fiat or Abarth badged and 1.4 turbo (this thing about the engine is sure)

You can see some details and surfacing better in this video.

You might want to mute your audio. Trust me.

What do you guys think about the 130 hp engine. I think it's too low regardless of the weight savings.

Report: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Base Engine Has 130 HP

It's too low. There's word that North America will get a bigger engine optional, but most likely not the first year.

Anyone that thinks it's appropriate to compare the US spec 2.0L NC to the JDM spec 1.5L ND is retarded. ESPECIALLY when we know direct from Mazda that A) there is a 2.0L option for the ND, and B) that Mazda has already stated that there won't be a power drop from the NC.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

http://jalopnik.com/when-the-2016-mazda-miata-was-revealed-just-a-few-short-1641351088

2.0 SkyActiv-G it will be.

Received this in my email from Mazda this morning: http://youtu.be/FKTKdnbQkK4

I like this chop

http://oi58.tinypic.com/2a91w2c.jpg

Reminds me of the Factory Five 818. Stylistically they are both meh to me..

2.5 skyactiv, fastback, and it will dominate the market....

Received this one in the recent newsletter.

Disappointing. This car would be awesome with 275 hp.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Officially Makes 155 HP

2016 Mazda MX-5 Officially Makes 155 HP » AutoGuide.com News

Official numbers are here for the new 2016 Mazda MX-5.


The small lightweight roadster will put out 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque thanks to its 2.0-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine. In other parts of the world, a smaller 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is also available with 129 hp and 110 lb-ft of torque.

Official weights for the car are still unreleased, but Mazda has said that the new car is about 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which means it will have a better power-to-weight ratio despite making less power than the previous car.

There is something un-released still. That isn't the whole story.

Even if it was, it will still be noticeably faster than the NC because of the significantly improved torque profile in low and medium range. The torque to weight in low RPM is much higher, the peak power to weight is still better, though not by much.


However, either ...
A) this is the first Miata ever released that can safely run on 87octane (not likely) and there can be greater power gains by tuning for 91/93
B) the engine was deliberately crippled in a way that the aftermarket can easily extract more power, like intake/exhaust restriction
C) the engine's compression was lowered, making forced induction an easier prospect

I believe Mazda could release it at 155/148, however gaining 1,000rpm in revs and adding premium keeps the same peak power and drops torque by 2? That is completely inconsistent from a mechanical/tuning perspective.


There is more to the story that Mazda hasn't released yet.

It might even be that they took a page from the FT86 twins and release it with low power (for cheaper MSRP, warranty claims, etc...) and is letting the aftermarket increase the power at their own expense.

It's also possible that Mazda is deliberately sandbagging the number, OR that the drivetrain loss is so little that the whp is actually greater than the NC's.

Lots of ways to look at it still, no point in getting fixated on a single number.

This is Mazda's MO. Lowout in a good looking car that handles well. Not sure anyone will care what the rest of the story is. Their philosophical approach to power output is concerning. They do not give us enough power. They do not produce a drivetrain that is engineered to handle more power. They sell "Zoom-Zoom". I want my "Zoom-Zoom"!

The demographic that buys new miatas is almost entirely retirees, not us :)

This. My dads 92' with the 1.8 swap is plenty for him, :lol:

There are actually quite a few people on Miata.net that are complaining that Mazda isn't giving the US the 1.5L option, because to them, it's far closer to the original 1.6L.

What would the demographic be if it had more power? Remember the sell "Zoom-Zoom" with ads of the car carving corners on mountain roads and race tracks. That is us :)

That's a valid point, but then it wouldn't be a "Miata" any more. The demographic for the Evo is definitely different than it will be when Mitsubishi makes it into an SUV, for example, but is it really an 'Evo' any more? Nope.

Adding much power does mean that there is an identity change.

It would be better for them to leave the MX-5 alone and make an RX-5 :suspect:

Even better would a MS version that truly delivers on power for the large racing fanbase. Spec Miata with 275 hp 225 lb-ft? Yes please. AutoX and HPDE folks would be in heaven. Throw in a sexy coupe version as well...

275?

For a 2,300lb car?

Rather unrealistic.

That's 8.36lb per hp, better than the Mustang GT. It would be priced even higher. $40k? Also very un-Miata.

The 'fastest' Miata ever produced was the MSM at 15.1lbs per hp, so you are talking about doubling it?

Driving one of those MSMs at ~270hp (~230whp) and 2,490lbs, I can tell you that it significantly alters the Miata's characteristics, and it rapidly becomes 'unfun' in the Miata's natural environment. When I want to go hit the curvy mountain roads, I drop the boost all the way down. Short wheel base and bad aero are only the two biggest problems. It does better on track because even the sharpest track turns are far safer than the average mountain road.

Of course, adding that much power would raise the weight significantly as the drivetrain would have to substantially strengthen to hold it all (warranty concerns), which would in turn hurt the P/W. Significantly un-Mazda like.


No, 275 is not only unrealistic, it is undesireable for a production car. I'd rather buy a $25,000 car and then take it to 275 than to have to spend $40,000 for the car in the first place that has no business being called by the same name any more.

I agree with Pearl. These are street cars, not track cars. Even the RX-8, with its supposedly low output, has plenty of power enough to have scared the shit out of me on the road a couple of times. Public roads are jusy not built for high speeds.

And making them proper track cars would add to the cost significantly.

Speaking of which

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Cup Car revealed at SEMA

Won't debut until 2016 though ...

IMO 155/148 in a 2200 lb car sounds like fun. Most people don't realize how much better a light car will run through the twisties ...



.

Here is another perspective on it, and I agree. I'll want to add some more of course, but I'm ok with the fact that it isn't more from the factory. When it comes to Miata horsepower, 155 is enough

The p/w is still better than the NC.

Sounds familiar... no?

Enough power is a matter of perspective. 275 hp at the crank is going to be around 230 whp. Maintain the driving characteristics and the car will kickass. The curb weight for the last 2 or 3 Miata's is in the 2400-2600 lb range right? Mazda said the new car will be 220 lb less. We will not know for certain until it is released.

NB curb weight 2348 lb
NC curb weight 2,447–2,542 lb
ND curb weight TBD

Miata fanatics always think people do not "get it". I am one of those that do and have supported the platform. I have owned plenty of lightweight underpowered cars that can carve up tracks and the backroads.

What you're wanting is an FD4 RX7, maybe you're in the wrong thread :dunno:

1.6L NA - 2160 lbs, 115hp/100ftlb
1.8L NA - 2180 lbs, 133hp/114ftlb
1.8L NB - 2300 lbs, 140hp/116ftlb
2.0L NC - 2450 lbs, 170hp/140ftlb

Even if the ND is 2300 lbs it still seems like a reasonable evolution; lighter, more efficient, better emissions, about same hp/lb as the NC but more torque which with a lighter car and lower CG should hit the mark ..

Is this thread only for people for people to basically wax poetic for the Miata in current form? Or is it ok to discuss the car evolving to something more?

The 1.5L ND is already confirmed at 2,230ish, the 2.0L should be just a hair over 2,300.

What's wrong with keeping a car as it is defined? You do realize that the ND IS faster than an NC, right? You want a different car, that isn't a Miata.

Those exist.


Or you can take a Miata, and add a bunch of power if you wish. That is also possible.

take two aspirin and call your doctor in the morning ....

Put it another way. Why would Mazda eliminate the only remaining model that they are known for, to make the "piston powered RX-7" that so many people ask for? Sure, they can make a car with that much power (it will probably be a rotary if they do), but then there wouldn't be a Miata in the lineup. Mazda would have ended the model without a reason at all.

Making a 155hp Miata continues the car that has done so well for them.

If they want to make a higher powered RWD sports car, they have that option and they don't have to delete the Miata to do it.

Offical specs from Mazda:
Mazda specs new MX-5 Miata with accessories
"Power for U.S.-bound MX-5s comes from Mazda's 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G inline four-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. Both SKYACTIV-MT and SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed automatic transmissions will be available."

I'm becoming further convinced that A) the engine is detuned, and could get modded back up easily, and B) the Cup version of the car will have that plus other improvements 'built in' for the spec classing rules.

Anyone know when the last time it was that Mazda offered dealer accessories that were this targeted at performance? Brembo brakes, lighter BBS wheels, subtle aero that probably actually means something since it's on the Cup version.

Sounds like the typical MazdaSpeed marketing, there were magnesium wheels for the RX8 that cost a small fortune ...

OE Brembos will be lighter than cast iron OE, but nowhere near race weight light

Same for BBS ...

As for the CF trunk rack, I suspect they will sell quite a few just for the cool factor despite the high price, but likely nobody will ever want to actually put anything on one out of fear of scratching it :lol:

I personally think the new front bumper looks "dented". I am waiting to see it in real life. I am a little concerned that they reduced the overall length so much. I always wished my NB had just a tad more room. Basically just to recline the seats a bit. When I get in a NC, I think the interior is just about perfect for a roadster.

I have the skyactiv g in my mazda3. Its a really nice revvy motor when driven in anger. That said it definitely lacks in power when I need it. I would be curious to feel in a car weighing about 500 lbs less. Also 6th gear is way too long for highway driving. I never had to shift down to 5th gear in my NB for highway passing.

If the new 2014+ Mazda 3 can have the 2.0 and the 2.5, I see no reason why they or anyone couldn't have the 2.5 in the miata, that would be 184hp and 180tq. I have a 2014 Mazda 3 with the 2.5 and its a blast for what it is, that motor in the smaller lighter and nimble miata would put a smile on anyone's face!

Maybe the engine bay is smaller in the Miata? Just spitballin here

Surprisingly, there is equal or more interior room than the NC.

Being 5'11" and 180 lbs, I felt like the NA (w.o. seat modification) fit me like a tight glove. Definitely tolerable. No complaints with the NC obviously. Can't wait to see what the ND offers.

And so it begins.
Mazda starts production of new MX-5 Miata in Japan

Anyone heard anything about the dimensions? Is it smaller inside than an NC?

I can't find the comparison schematics right now, but they did show an increase in both legroom and headroom. Significant increase as well.

Perhaps someone can find the vehicle schematics that compare the NC directly to the ND. Simple drawings with measurements in millimeters showing differences in interior and exterior dimensions. It's out there, I just forgot where I saw it.

I truly think this is the best Miata so far, with style, excellent suspension, decent engine etc. The fun factor has been raised. The praise of the 129 hp version was interesting. I think I see a Rotary ND in my future, although I will enjoy the US stock 2.0 when it arrives as well.
One downfall: Those who are not satisfied with the power will not make big gains too easily as the Skyactiv PE engine is VERY unfriendly to boosting at this time, with many parts being as light as possible.

Paul.

Paul,

From an engineering perspective, I find it very odd that they increased the rev limiter and moved the power band higher compared to the Mazda3/6 version of the engine, but gained no power. It suggests that the street version is 'detuned', presumably for warranty and p/w reasons. If they were going to the cost and trouble of differing ports, valvetrain, etc... to support this, they must have a reason. My personal opinion is that it is detuned for the street with a restriction, probably in the intake system, possibly in the exhaust system, and that the changes were made to support an easier power gain for the ND Cup version.

Additionally, given that all prior Miatas have been Premium fuel, do you think that the street version is the first Regular grade fuel Miata?

If it is, then there should be N/A power gains to be had with stepping up to higher octane and tuning accordingly.
If it is already at Premium, then it further begs an explanation for why there is no additional power with a higher rev range and a higher octane vs the Mazda3/6 version.


I'm convinced that something else is going on here, probably related to the ND Cup car. And I think it bodes well for being able to get a noticeable amount of extra power out of it with a plumbing change and a tune.

Thoughts?

Official pricing:
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata priced from $24,915*

sounds promising:
2016 Mazda Miata Club Edition: I'd Like To Join, Please

MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development - ND Build Begins



.

Full pricing list: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/20/2...ng-production/

Pretty much the same info here, looks like the other site just copied it from Mazda.

MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development

$30k+ for a Miata, just not feeling it

Update on the Cup car status:

MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development