What mazda has called a "refresh" is actually a seriously thorough tweaking of the MX-5's mechanics and aesthetics. Outside the rag top, known as the Roadster in Japan where it's just gone on sale, gets a smaller version of the smile we've seen on the Mazda3, new alloy wheels, a stronger character line and three new colors. Inside it gets new gauges, more supportive seats and a new MX-5-specific BOSE system. And underneath the hood, the engine gets a higher redline, the automatic transmission gets a couple of new modes, and manual gearbox just gets more refined and the front end has been lowered. And those changes represent just the tips of many icebergs. One thing we can all be thankful mazda hasn't changed about the MX-5 is its Jinba Ittai. That's Japanese for "rider and horse as one." Who knew? Follow the jump for the exhaustive press release and check out the high-res gallery of Mazda's new Roadster below.
[ Source: Autoblog (Mazda) ]
Showing posts with label Convertibles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Convertibles. Show all posts
Refreshed Mazda MX-5 Roadster goes on sale in Japan
CAR gets way early first drive of Mazda MX-5
CAR magazine has gotten an opportunity to try out the refresh of the MX-5, which has left them impressed enough to say it's "still the best car Mazda makes." There's nothing revelatory coming for 2009, just more consistent refinement of a winning formula. The biggest change is a bit of rhinoplasty that adds more of the family nose to the MX-5's visage. The headlamps have taken on a shape that echoes the car's siblings the 3 and the 6. Grille openings, and the shape of the front airdam, call to mind the RX-8, and new sill extensions stretch between the wheels. The tweaking adds a whiff more aggression to the convertible's look, which some have found effeminate in the past.
Rather than get caught up in the recent massive horsepower war, Mazda's been careful to maintain the MX-5's stellar chassis manners that allow drivers to make the most of the horsepower with the car's penchant for serving up handling enjoyment. There have been refinements to the hardware: the transmission now has shorter throws, and the engine gets a forged crank connected to new pistons, and a new valvetrain also helps orchestrate a power peak 300 rpm higher, now at 7,000, and redline bumps out to 7,500. For those that don't want to shift themselves, there's a six speed automatic, and the front suspension has been revised to improve steering feel and action. The MX-5 has evolved from an MGB throwback to a classic in its own right. Now, if they'd just make a proper fixed-head version. Thanks for the tip, Nguyen Ta!
[ Via: CAR ]
[ Tag: 2009 mazda mx-5, 2009 mazda mx5, 2009 mx-5, 2009 mx5, 2009MazdaMx-5, 2009MazdaMx5, 2009Mx-5, 2009Mx5, mazda miata, mazda mx-5, mazda mx5, mazda roadster, MazdaMiata, MazdaMx-5, MazdaMx5, MazdaRoadster, mx-5, mx5 ]
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hard Top
Just as it appeared that winter was finally drawing to close here in Michigan, one of the definitive summertime cars turned up on our doorstep -- the Mazda MX-5 Miata . Somewhere back in the middle part of the last century, small, lightweight, roadsters flourished with a variety of models available from mostly British manufacturers. Names like MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey and Lotus defined the genre. Unfortunately, a number of factors such as random intermittent windshield wipers, intermittent headlights, intermittent ignition, persistent oil leaks and predisposition for the bodies to convert to iron oxide soured the reputation of these and other car builders. This was followed by the consolidation of the most of the British car industry into British Leyland and then the onset of safety and emissions regulations. By 1980, the classic British sports car had become all but extinct.
Then a strange thing happened. Mazda, always had a reputation as being slightly offbeat (witness its dedication to the Wankel rotary, which exists to this day) introduced a new model dubbed the MX-5 Miata . This compact, rear-drive two-seat roadster bore a strong resemblance to a '60s vintage Lotus Elan. However, unlike the Elan and its compatriots, the Miata started every time you turned the key, didn't leave you drenched when it rained, and didn't leave puddles of oil on your garage floor. In other words, it was a classic British sports car that worked like a modern Japanese car. Read on after the jump to find out how the latest incarnation fares.
[ Via: Autoblog (Mazda) ]
[ Tag: featured, mazda, mazda mx-5, mazda mx-5 hardtop, mazda mx-5 miata, mazda mx-5 roadster ..., MazdaMx-5, MazdaMx-5Hardtop, MazdaMx-5Miata, MazdaMx-5Roadster..., retractable, retractable hardtop, retractablehardtop ]
Mazda MX-5 facelift might not go Nagare
Winding Road sat down with the newest print issue of Autocar and discovered that Mazda dealers are particularly pleased with the soap-bar aesthetic of the current MX-5. More to the point, they're hoping that Mazda designers don't nuke the fridge when the iconic roadster goes under the knife next year.
According to Autocar's sources, the new MX-5 won't benefit from the swooping Nagare theme that's expected to influence all of Mazda's future designs, primarily because dealers are happy with the current car. However, Mazda's designers want to kick up the MX-5's flavor, saying that the car was "never radical enough" for their tastes. Since we've always been split on the styling of the current MX-5, we're hoping both parties can be assuaged with a balance between mild and wild. We'll see, and we're looking forward to the clean sheet makeover the MX-5 gets in 2012.
[ Via: Winding Road ]
[ Tag: 2010, 2010 mazda mx-5, 2010 mazda mx5, 2010MazdaMx-5, 2010MazdaMx5, 2012 mazda mx-5, 2012 mazda mx5, 2012MazdaMx-5, 2012MazdaMx5, mazda, mx-5, mx5 ]
Miata? Impractical? BAH!
Why is this man smiling? Because he's probably as amused by what he's doing as we are. Autoblog reader Doc B sent us these photos he took when he came upon the unlikely sight of a Mazda Miata being used to haul a Thanks for the pics, Doc B.
[ Via: Autoblog (Mazda) ]
[ Tag: mazda miata, MazdaMiata, miata as moving van, miata hauling sofa, MiataAsMovingVan, MiataHaulingSofa ]
From the Awesome Files: V6 Miata auto-x weapon
You don't need to spend much time with a Miata to "get" why so many drivers are attracted to them. Perfectly executed and relentlessly entertaining, it's no surprise that Mazda's little roadster is the track-day weapon of choice for a number of people. While countless 4-banger Miatas do their thing on the autocross circuit, one Mark Snell was interested in kicking things up a level so he could run with the big boys in their 'Vettes and similar machinery. His solution? Drop a Mazda 2.5L V6 into his blue roadster's engine bay, then modify and tune it to the point where it's pushing 180 horsepower to the rear wheels. The view underhood is plenty cool -- we especially dig those Suzuki GSX-R1000 throttle bodies he's added. The Miata sounds pretty mean, too. Follow the jump for a video in which Snell gives a tour of his car and discusses the modifications he's made before taking viewers for a quick spin.
[ Via: Driving Sports ]
[ Tag: auto-x,autocross,mark snell,MarkSnell,mazda miata,MazdaMiata,miata,miata v6,MiataV6,v6 miata,V6Miata ]
Cosworth supercharger for NC Mazda Miata almost ready
Until the Mazdaspeed version of the MX-5 makes its debut, those of us looking for forced-induction power from Mazda's NC Miata must turn to the aftermarket. Of all the tuning firms looking to turbo- or supercharge the new MX-5, Cosworth has both the reputation and technological prowess to pull it off sans drama.
According to Eric Hsu, founder of XS Engineering and current Cosworth engineer, despite some set backs, Cosworth will be releasing it's bolt-on supercharger soon. The setup produces approximately 210 hp at the wheels, looks OEM clean and is designed to be legal in all 50 states. But Cosworth isn't stopping there. Hsu says that a Stage 2 version is planned that ups the boost, adds a set of headers and includes some hotter cams. We can't wait to check it out, particularly with the "1G" suspension package offered by Mazdaspeed.[ Via: Beyond the Dyno ]
[ Tag: cosworth, mazda, mazdaspeed, miata, mx-5, nc ]
Rendered Speculation: Mazda6 coupe, convertible
Mazda's 6 is having a tough time finding love in its home market where it goes by the Atenza moniker. 7Tune is reporting that Mazda's going to flip the script and introduce three new variants of the Atenza; a coupe, a convertible, and a high performance version called the Mazdaspeed Atenza for JDM consumption. Mazda looked to the holy-grail BMW 3 series for inspiration, though that car is rear-wheel-drive, and hopes to achieve the same build quality with its Atenza line.
The vehicles in 7Tunes renderings are more conservatively styled than the current 3-Series, though that's hardly a bad thing. We think the renderings are easy on the eyes, with clear RX-8 influences, though all suffer from a basket-handle spoiler tacked on to the trunklid. It's tough to imagine the Mazdaspeed Atenza amounting to anything other than a tasty snack for the monstrous M3, though we're sure the Mazda will comport itself sportily. If any of this conjecture rings true, it's tough to go wrong benchmarking the icon of the segment.
[ Via: 7tune ]
[ Tag: atenza, atenza convertible, atenza coupe, AtenzaConvertible, AtenzaCoupe, jdm mazda, JdmMazda, madza jdm, MadzaJdm, mazda 6, mazda 6 cabriolet, mazda 6 convertible, mazda 6 coupe, Mazda6, Mazda6Cabriolet, Mazda6Convertible, Mazda6Coupe, mazdaspeed, mazdaspeed6, rendering, spy shots, SpyShots ]
2010 Mazda MX-5 is coming with Mazda6 cues
According to an attendee at a recent Mazda dealer meeting, we'll be seeing a refreshed version of the MX-5 late next year as a 2010 model. After catching a brief glimpse of the new MX-5, a forum member at Miata.net posted that the 2010 model will be sporting headlamps and taillights similar to those found on the redesigned Mazda6, and will benefit from a few other improvements including a slight increase in power. While we can't confirm any of this, we've heard similar rumblings in the not-so-distant past, and with the redesigned Mazda3 right around the corner, Mazda might be trying to lend a bit more stylistic cohesion to its lineup before full revamps take place after the turn of the decade.
However, one piece is missing from the Miata puzzle. What about the Mazdaspeed version of the MX-5? It's been assumed that Mazda would release a boosted version of its iconic roadster before the next model debuts. If the facelifted version is indeed bound for the 2010 model year, that could be an indication that a Mazdaspeed MX-5 is on its way. Here's hoping.
[ Via: Miata.net ]
[ Tag: 2010, 2010 mazda mx-5, 2010 mazda mx5, 2010MazdaMx-5, 2010MazdaMx5, mazda, mazda mx-5, mazda mx5, MazdaMx-5, MazdaMx5, mazdaspeed, mazdaspeed mx5, MazdaspeedMx5, miata, mx-5, mx5 ]
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