Mazda’s global design chief Lauren Van den Acker has previously mentioned that the next MX-5 will be a major leap in terms of styling and dynamics over the current model, and now its chief developer Takao Kijima has revealed that the new model will be smaller and at least 10% lighter.
Speaking with Australia’s Drive, Kijima said Mazda is keen to reduce the emissions and fuel usage of the MX-5, possibly through the introduction of a diesel or petrol-hybrid engine. While a decision has yet to be made on future engine lineups for the MX-5, Kijima said that there is a greater than 50% chance that the next-gen model could find a diesel or petrol-hybrid under its hood.
The main factors affecting this decision lie in preserving the Mazda MX-5's characteristic light weight and nimble handling, which would be severely hampered by heavy battery packs or weighty diesel engines. An alternative could be to downsize the current engines found in the MX-5 and make them more efficient through techniques such as turbocharging or direct injection.
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.
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.
While the new model isn’t expected for several years, the MX-5 recently underwent a mild refresh to keep it competitive in the affordable convertible market.
Reader Comments
Tue Aug 26 2008 7:52 PM
Gus says
The Miata has always been a bit of an underpowered girl's car, so any attempt to make it more fuel efficient could make it completely unpalpable to men anywhere...
Tue Aug 26 2008 7:58 PM
NoNameDenton says
Gus, have you ever driven the MX-5? It is far from underpowered, it is lightweight, so does not need more power, it handles great and is not to bad looking and it is at a great price.
Tue Aug 26 2008 10:00 PM
Gus says
I have driven the MX-5, and on anything but the tightest turns it is severely underpowered. 0-60 is over 8 seconds, and that doesn't cut it for "sports" cars anymore...
Driving one makes you look like you borrowed your girlfriend's car. It's one step up from a VW Beetle in that regard...
Tue Aug 26 2008 10:01 PM
Gus says
See here:
http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?mnk=410&id=228&description=0-62+Lies
Tue Aug 26 2008 11:28 PM
NoNameDenton says
Gus, I worked at a Mazda dealership, every MX-5 owner I know loved it and never complained about it being underpower, so it is fine.
Wed Aug 27 2008 2:12 AM
chris says
yeah as far as the segment is concerned.. it's got a great power to weight ratio... it's got 165 hp at like 1100kg, where as the solstice has 180 hp at 1300kg..
the thing is.. it's only a 2L, where the solstice is a 2.4L.. as far as the MZR engine is concerned, it doesnt get much low end torque the way it's tuned in the MX5.. it's the same engine you find in the base mazda3 and in the ford focus. but even the 3 gives you the option for the 2.3L (which will now be a 2.5L).
If they can make it lighter, use the 2.5L engine, offer a 2L ecoboost, and FOR GOD SAKES make it more agressive looking, then you'll have a great car. as it is, if i were buying in this segment it would be the Redline SKY or bust. I'm not going to take a 2seater roadster with less than 200 BHP/tonne, and i sure as hell wont take one so girly looking.
and gus, i'm going to help you out so you dont have to beat around the bush any more. it's been statistically proven that the Miata/MX5 is the gayest car in america.. beating out the beetle. it's fact. don't make me go look for the article.
Wed Aug 27 2008 5:19 AM
Layne says
Complaining about the Miata being slow is a mute point. The 1st and second gen Miatas take extremely well to boost. Buy yourself a first gen 1.8l Miata, throw on a Flyin' Miata FMII turbo kit, upgrade the clutch to handle the power, and voile, you've got a car that runs 12s all day long. I don't care who you are or how jaded you are, a 12 second 1/4 mile is not slow. Maybe not earth-shatteringly fast, but more than enough for some fun. Or do an LS1 swap and have an 11 second car with no engine mods whatsoever.
Plus, the fact that they're "gay" would make it even more satisfying when you blow away that Mustang or what have you.
Wed Aug 27 2008 5:21 AM
Layne says
Oh ya, and I like the sound of the words "significantly lighter". No other two words could get me so excited about a car. Lightweight=fun and fast.
Wed Aug 27 2008 10:22 AM
Gus says
NoName, I'm sure they loved their cars. I'm sure it's a great car if you are satisfied with that sort of car. The handling IS excellent, my personal taste is for a little more mass and power, that's all.
Thanks, Chris, I wasn't going to say it myself.
Layne, I love lighter, see my review of the Tesla.
And, if the fact that your highly modified feminine car can "blow away" a stock Mustang or what have you makes you "highly satisfied", then more power to you. Bring towels.
Wed Aug 27 2008 10:59 AM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
'gayest" car in America would actually be a Saab. As 50% of the men that buy them are gay (Saab Marketing dept) second beilieve it or not is a Subaru primarilly because they were the first auto manufacturer to advertise in gay media/press, so guess what demographic buys them.
Assuming a car is gay or looks gay is very assumptive and far from factual.
As for the Miata I owned one of the very early ones and had if for eight years and 240,000 miles with numerous track days and auto cross events under its belt. A Mustang would not be able to do any of that as such tasks require brakes and the abiltiy to corner also putting 240,000 hard miles on a Mustang in nigh impossible. My Miata only ever took brake pads and rotors.
Also Mustangs are not sports cars they are muscle cars and muscle dont do braking or corners so we are not exactly talking apples to apples.
Finally, I tend to notice that Mustangs are primarilly driven by strippers and hair dressers so not only is it a Muscle car its also a "chicks" car too!
So would it be safe to say Gus that the reason you drive an automatic Mustang is so that you can check out your perm in the mirror without having to shift gears?
Wed Aug 27 2008 2:12 PM
Jim says
Light, I like, that will make it faster. A coupe, I like that idea also. Mazda, just keep the dimensions the same and don't succumb to the temptation to bloat it up like BMW did the Z
Wed Aug 27 2008 2:14 PM
Gus says
I wish I had a perm, but I don't have enough hair left...
Maybe I drive it because I really want a Camaro, a hairy chest and a medallion... :)
No, I'm not trying to compare the two, the Miata is more reliable and handles much better, but is also much lighter and has hardly any space for anything at all. I regularly (4-5 times a year) drive up the coast with my family (wife and daughter) with all of our luggage and stroller for the weekend in, you guessed it, San Francisco. For that, I guess you could get a trailer for the Miata and park the kid on the trunklid... Like I said, no comparison, just preferences (I'm talking cars, by the way)...
Wed Aug 27 2008 3:03 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Gus- Very funny. As for reason I no longer have the Miata- I got married and had kids!!!!
Wed Oct 8 2008 10:06 AM
ozgurra says
i love this car.
Wed Oct 8 2008 11:10 AM
NoNameDenton says
A 3 or 4 cylinder turbo diesel with about 200 hp and 350 ft lbs of torque and great milage would be awesome
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