(continued)
Six versions of the new MX-5 Miata will be offered: the Club Spec, standard
MX-5, Touring, Sport and Grand Touring. For the very first time from launch,
Mazda also will offer 750 Limited special versions of the MX-5.
“The third-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata builds on the formidable qualities of the
previous generation cars, and sets the standard for affordable roadsters for the
21st century,” says Yasunari Otachi, vehicle line manager for MX-5 Miata. “Our
new model range also is the broadest ever, catering from the great value Club
Spec right up to the Limited special version, which specifically celebrates the
arrival of the car that probably, more than any other, sums and celebrates
Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom philosophy.”
Chasis and Suspension
Too much weight is bad for athletes, and just as bad for sports cars. Weight
hurts acceleration, throttle response, handling and agility. It negatively
affects braking distances and fuel economy. Mazda engineers worked hard to
reduce weight wherever possible – while building a roomier, safer car.
Weight-saving measures include the use of an aluminum hood and trunk lid and
many aluminum suspension and braking components. There is widespread use of
high-strength and ultra high-strength steel in the unitary construction body,
which boosts body strength while simultaneously cutting weight. The new
2.0-liter engine has an aluminum block and head, and the intake manifold and cam
cover are made from lightweight composite plastic. In the end, overall weight
has increased by just 27 lbs over the second-generation car – yet the car is
roomier for tall or large adults, and safer for everyone, thanks to its stronger
body and improved safety features (including standard side airbags and ABS
anti-lock brakes for all versions).
How did Mazda achieve a vehicle that is roomier, stronger and safer? By
utilizing the ‘gram strategy’. One of the imperatives for Mazda engineers was
making every gram count by assessing the weight of the vehicle in the smallest
possible increments. Under this ‘gram strategy’ imperative, for example, the
design of the rear-view mirror was simplified, thus trimming 84 grams, or 0.19
lbs. While not a surmountable difference on its own, by applying this strategy
throughout every nook and cranny of the MX-5’s design, Mazda engineers were
quite effective in building a light, roomier, stronger and safer sports car.
By using high-strength and ultra-high strength steel in the construction of the
body-in-white, bending rigidity has been improved by 22-percent and torsional
rigidity by 47-percent. Additionally, the rear of the transmission is rigidly
linked to the front of the differential housing by a Z-shaped frame made of
aluminum. This assures that the driver’s throttle inputs are faithfully and
promptly conveyed to the rear wheels, ensuring the maximum possible oneness
between car and driver.
Front suspension is by double wishbones, as in the best sports cars and race
cars. They provide linear toe, caster, and camber changes as the wheels travel
up and down. Anchor points are reinforced to provide the desired lateral
stiffness and made from aluminum to reduce weight. No suspension system better
relays feedback so accurately to the driver, nor induces such all-round
stability. The new multilink rear suspension has long links to help linearity.
Springs are coil all round, and dampers are gas-filled for more accurate wheel
control on difficult and taxing roads.
The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system is an improved version of the
second-generation MX-5 design, being lighter and more precise. The four-wheel
disc brakes have also been improved. Front discs are ventilated and increased in
diameter by 0.78 inches to 11.4 inches. Rear discs are solid and increased in
diameter by 0.16 inches to 11.0 inches. Response and linearity are both improved
over the past design. Thanks to the new combination of increased braking power,
larger tire sizes, minimal increase in weight, and better suspension geometry,
overall stopping performance is significantly improved.
New Engine and Transmissions
An improved four-cylinder engine, offering better performance, and two new
transmission choices – including an all-new six-speed automatic with steering
wheel-mounted paddle shifters – increase the appeal of the MX-5 Miata.
The sophisticated new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine gives strong performance,
has an inspiring exhaust note, and most important of all, is brilliantly
responsive. It reacts to driver commands with lightning-quick reflexes, and
offers progressive power delivery. Such linearity is the key to all of the MX-5
Miata’s driving controls. The MZR-series engine is shared with the engine used
in MAZDA3, MAZDA5 and MAZDA6.
The engine is mounted front mid-ship, for ideal handling balance and nimbleness.
It is 5.3-inches further back than the second-generation Miata’s. It uses an
aluminum block and head for lighter weight and structural rigidity, ultimately
improving performance and refinement. Chain-driven double-overhead camshafts and
16-valve breathing are used for improved revving and flexibility. Variable
intake valve timing improves low-end torque and high-end power. Response has
been improved by the use of a flywheel lightened by 0.7 lb, a sophisticated
electronically controlled throttle and enormously rigid drive shafts.
Maximum power is 170 horsepower at 6,700 rpm. For good tractability and
ease-of-driving, at least 90 percent of peak torque (140 lb-ft) is available
from 2,500 rpm to the 6,700 rpm redline.
Standard equipment is a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, and a new
six-speed manual gearbox is available, with gear ratios close-stacked to enhance
the joy of sporty driving. Short, quick shift strokes have been achieved by use
of triple-cone synchros on the first four gears. “Miata-like” shift quality
became the benchmark for the industry when the first MX-5 launched in 1989. The
new car takes performance feel to an entirely new level – think, and the car
all-but changes gears on its own.
A new Sport A/T automatic transmission adds a fresh dimension to the MX-5’s
personality. Six ratios (up from four in the previous car) are provided to
improve acceleration, driving refinement and freeway comfort. Paddles mounted
behind the steering wheel command upshifts while buttons positioned on the
spokes are used for downshifts. Coordinating engine torque with the shift
sequence, results in smooth, seamless, and fast gear changes. The Sport
A/T-equipped car is a joy to drive, with gear ratios perfectly matched to the
engine’s horsepower and torque output.
The Design
The design brief also was clear: To convey fun and modern styling but retain the
iconic feel of the earlier generation MX-5 Miatas.
The new car’s styling is based on the original, but is new in every way. The
first- and second-generation MX-5 Miata exterior design is a rounded shape with
a wide footprint, large-radius corners and deep side contours. On the third
generation, the Coke-bottle shaped center section is eliminated. Instead, the
designers have used an entirely new oval shape in which the seating area is now
the widest portion of the car, taking cues from the Ibuki show-car. It makes for
a roomier, safer cockpit and yet still expresses the compact look of a
lightweight sports car.
This third-generation car is 1.8 inches longer, 1.6 inches wider and 0.7 inches
taller. Wheelbase length is increased by 2.5 inches, primarily to give more
cockpit space.
Side surfacing is rounded yet taut – like the skin over a muscled body. Door
mirrors continue the elliptical theme established by the original MX-5 Miata.
Head and tail lamps are mounted inboard to reinforce compactness, central to the
car’s design philosophy. The headlamp design is different from previous MX-5
configurations: the lens cover is shorter in height but steeply slanted to sweep
around the corner of the car. The tail lamps combine the traditional elliptical
shape from previous design generations with new, modern materials. The rounded
grille opening is similar to the original MX-5 Miata, and is part of the car’s
iconic shape. The front bumper is cleaner and more aerodynamically shaped.
Seat-back bars add an eye-catching detail to the rear view.
The revised body shape is excellent for stability. Side skirts, tire-area
deflectors and the front spoiler are designed to control airflow under the body
and along its sides, minimizing drag.
The soft top is reshaped and re-engineered. It provides a sportier, more classic
appearance with a flatter upper surface and a longer rear contour that flows
smoothly into the rear deck. The lowered shape blends smoothly with surrounding
body contours so well that no separate ‘tonneau’ cover is needed.
The new Z-fold design makes erecting and folding the roof even easier. It now
uses a simple, central latch handle rather than the previous model’s two latch
handles.
The optional detachable hard top has a sweeping shape that widens out to the
rear window for a light, modern and aggressive look.
Eight paint colors are offered. Of these, four are new: Galaxy Gray and Copper
Red, which are suitable for a modern sports car image, and True Red and Marble
White for the more traditional roadster look.
The Interior
The interior design theme balances comfortable snugness below shoulder level
with openness above, to give the impression of riding in open air.
The T-shaped instrument panel is consistent with Mazda design-DNA while the
center console accentuates the backbone of the car. Strong horizontal and
vertical theme lines connote rigidity and sports car capability. The black
center stack is as simple and functional as possible. The arched hood over the
instrument cluster and four circular vents are part of the MX-5 Miata’s cabin
identity.
The larger exterior and redesigned cabin means an increase in legroom (by 0.4
inches) and headroom (by 0.3 inches). Fore-and-aft seat adjustment is increased
by 2.0 inches over the previous MX-5. Another improvement is the addition of a
tilt steering wheel adjuster offering 1.3 inches of vertical movement. Stowage
space has also been substantially improved: all models get front door pockets
with bottle holders, a lockable glove compartment, lockable rear center console,
driver and passenger back-panel storage boxes, a rear tray and a driver seat
back pocket.
Wind in the hair is one thing, but nobody enjoys cockpit turbulence and
buffeting, especially on long drives. Small quarter windows block drafts between
the windshield pillars and door mirrors into the cockpit.
A newly designed aero board located between the seat back hoops is taller than
before and perforated to slow down reverse-flow air that rushes into the
cockpit. Mesh construction helps to reduce weight.
The quality of craftsmanship used in the new MX-5 is quite unlike any MX-5
before. From the details of bright-trimmed gauges to the “piano-black” finish on
the dash, the new MX-5 feels and looks like a far more expensive vehicle than it
actually is.
Targeted for the US Market
The MX-5 Miata was conceived primarily for the US market, and throughout its
16-year history, America has always been the biggest market for what has become
– easily – the world’s most popular two-seat convertible. The Club Spec is a new
version, and represents the least expensive way of getting into an MX-5 Miata.
As with the next step-up MX-5, it gets a five-speed manual gearbox, 16-inch
aluminum sports wheels, power-assisted door mirrors, dual exhausts, power
windows, cloth upholstery, AM/FM/CD player with four speakers, dual front
airbags and side airbags. In addition, the MX-5 gets air conditioning and a
leather-covered steering wheel.
The Touring version, in addition, gets fog lamps, cruise control, Advanced
Keyless Entry with retractable key and steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio
controls, among other extra features.
The new six-speed manual gearbox with leather shift knob is standard on the MX-5
Miata Sport, as are bigger 17-inch alloy sports wheels. The Grand Touring gets
leather seats, faux leather door trim, cloth soft top, and a BOSE audio system
with seven speakers. When upgrading to the Grand Touring with Premium Package,
the vehicle gets Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System. The top-range 3 rd
Generation Limited adds exclusive Velocity Red paint with Red or Black leather
upholstery, chrome grille, windshield trim, headlamp bezels, fog lamps bezels
and door handles, chrome rings around the gauges and vents, silver instrument
panel finisher, stainless steel scuff plates and unique-design 17-inch wheels
with bright finish, among other unique features.
<< Mazda MX-5 Miata: Page 1
