The New 4th Generation MX-5 picture and feedback thread.

[richardn]

@saz9961

Note the ugly moulding on the front bumper, on this Japanese spec car. On US market cars, this is occupied by a bumper reflector. I’m sure the after market will take care of it, but hopefully this is not a sign of penny pinching.

That is a blanking plug and fits flush. At the launch in Barcelona I asked the designer if that was here to stay The answer is yes, it would be uneconomic to have 2 sets of tooling for the bumpers. The car looks a lot better in the flesh

[ast]

@wolves mx5

Correct me if I’m wrong but the US market only ever offered the larger 2 litre version didnt it?

Everyone knows that they just LOVE big engined cars over there so its really hard to believe that Mazda would offer just the 1.5 at lauch in the US even given the reduction in weight. In fact I’d be surprised if they did U-turn in their current marketing and offered the US market the smaller engined car at any time. A quick read through the responses to Motor trends article would suggest that the average US customer wouldnt be happy with just the smaller engine. Surely Mazda wouldnt make what would appear to be such a simple marketing blunder.

My guess will be that they will launch with just the one larger engined option in the US and the two in europe.

I certainly hope so as if they dont then Zpat isn’t the only one going to be losing patience!

 

A poll run on miataforum indicates a 50-50  split in preference for the 1.5.

[ast]

@richardn

@saz9961

Note the ugly moulding on the front bumper, on this Japanese spec car. On US market cars, this is occupied by a bumper reflector. I’m sure the after market will take care of it, but hopefully this is not a sign of penny pinching.

That is a blanking plug and fits flush. At the launch in Barcelona I asked the designer if that was here to stay The answer is yes, it would be uneconomic to have 2 sets of tooling for the bumpers. The car looks a lot better in the flesh

 

If thats Mazda’s idea of flush… They would have been better to fit front/rear reflectors rather than leave it unfinished.

 

Car looks awkward from some angles

 

Like a Hyundai

 

 

At previous launches, Mazda unveiled the full colour range, not just one.

[stuartb]

@saz9961

Initially a 130hp 1.5 from mid-2015, then the 2.0 in 2016 http://wot.motortrend.com/1409_2016_mazda_mx_5_miata_more_secrets_revealed.html?sm_id=social_20140915_31670356

 

Isn’t that just more idle speculation?  We’ve heard info from “sources” for ages.  Some say it’s a small turbo, some say it’s a N/A.  The different georgraphical markets have had different powerplants and gearboxes for years, so those “sources” may be talking about a different variant.  I want to see a press release with Mazda’s logo on it before I’m ready to believe it.

[RMurphy195]

Looks like all the heavy bits are between the axles, which is good.

And nice to see it’s a (or appears to be a) manual ragtop. All the automated mechanisms add too much complexity for my liking.

Have they allowed room for a proper spare wheel in the boot I wonder? And can you replace a bulb without fiddling around with bumpers/wheelarch liners etc?

[ast]

@stuartb

@saz9961

Initially a 130hp 1.5 from mid-2015, then the 2.0 in 2016 http://wot.motortrend.com/1409_2016_mazda_mx_5_miata_more_secrets_revealed.html?sm_id=social_20140915_31670356

 

Isn’t that just more idle speculation?  We’ve heard info from “sources” for ages.  Some say it’s a small turbo, some say it’s a N/A.  The different georgraphical markets have had different powerplants and gearboxes for years, so those “sources” may be talking about a different variant.  I want to see a press release with Mazda’s logo on it before I’m ready to believe it.

 

A more powerful replacement for the present 1.8, but in a lighter car.

 

Since 1994, Mazda has stuck to a two-engine lineup in Europe to broaden the appeal of the car. There is no Skyactiv-G engine between 1.5 and 2.0. The 1.5 is logical for an entry model. Its not going to be the 1.3 Skyactiv-G, nor the 2.5 version.

 

Its 100% confirmed the engine is not turbocharged; refer to the various launches in US/Spain/Japan. The white mule with a turbo engine fitted is a Chrysler-Fiat mule with a Fiat multiair engine.

 

Chrysler-Fiat Mule with a clearly visible turbo.

 

 

MX5 ND Skyactiv engine, no turbo, reversed exhaust

 

[Roadster_Robbie]

@saz9961

Chrysler-Fiat Mule with a clearly visible turbo.

And what looks like the most complicated coolant header tank arrangement known to man [/:)]

3 caps on one tank [:/] looks like the turbo has it’s own individually pressurised system. And then there appears to be an expansion tank fed from the other pressure cap like you’d find in a semi- sealed cooling system like the NA & NB have… Looking at the ND engine photo, that looks to have a semi sealed cooling system (pressure cap on the engine with an overflow pipe) so the Fiat/Chrysler/Alfa/Abarth must be a right mash up of cooling systems!

[wolves_mx5]

@saz9961

@wolves mx5

Correct me if I’m wrong but the US market only ever offered the larger 2 litre version didnt it?

Everyone knows that they just LOVE big engined cars over there so its really hard to believe that Mazda would offer just the 1.5 at lauch in the US even given the reduction in weight. In fact I’d be surprised if they did U-turn in their current marketing and offered the US market the smaller engined car at any time. A quick read through the responses to Motor trends article would suggest that the average US customer wouldnt be happy with just the smaller engine. Surely Mazda wouldnt make what would appear to be such a simple marketing blunder.

My guess will be that they will launch with just the one larger engined option in the US and the two in europe.

I certainly hope so as if they dont then Zpat isn’t the only one going to be losing patience!

 

A poll run on miataforum indicates a 50-50  split in preference for the 1.5.

 

Hadn’t looked at the Miata site since the ND came out so wasnt aware of thet poll. I did though follow there discussions on the ND a lot prior to launch. There was a reoccuring theme that they wanted more power not less. Have to say I’m a little surprised that its 50:50.

However I dont think anyone would question that in the US they love big engined sports cars. In fact big engines in general. Whilst current MX5 owners may be prepared to accept the smaller engine you have to question whether that would attract a significant number of new customers into an MX5? It would be risky strategy in my book. Surely to go for the larger engine right at the start when interest in the new car is highest would be more logical particularly over there?

As Saz said unless we see a Mazda press release with more detail its probably just Motoring press speculation

[Johnners]

Further concern over the final design.  This from the very brilliant Sniff Petrol

 

http://sniffpetrol.com/

[benny_c]

@Johnners

Further concern over the final design.  This from the very brilliant Sniff Petrol

 

http://sniffpetrol.com/ 

New MX-5 is “far too small”.

 

 

[wolves_mx5]

Great day yesterday at the 20th/25th Anniversary. Kind of surprised that Mazda didnt wheel out the ND for its loyal customers though.

[Mac5]

Paris Motor Show 2014

[martin]

This also from Paris by STHT editor Sharon…

and confirmed by Mazda UP PR today we get a 1.5 and a 2.0…

 

[pjr]

Even more disappointed they did not come to the rally at Gaydon 

[Llyr24]

From Paris

http://youtu.be/j21PfTkqbNE

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/mazda-mx-5-miata-makes-european-debut-at-paris-2014-87216.html#agal_82

[zpat]

Unfortunate that the 2.0 litre model will have 17 inch wheels - I just love those 16 inch ones - perfectly big enough and lighter.

[benny_c]

ZPat, where did you get the info from?

 

When I talked to a Mazda Dealership not even they have news. However they said some of their other new releases have been delayed (Mazda 3, I think) so they would not be surprised if the release of the new MX-5 slips back too . Even when it has been officially released, the dealership said a customer still might have to wait a while for a car to arrive. Just because the car has been released doesn’t mean 1,000 are instantly available for sale. Also we reckoned the first few cars will only be a certain spec, for example 1.5 engine with soft-top. You may have to wait yet another year for a bigger engined Roadster Coupe version. What I took away from my chat with the Mazda Dealership is if you want a mark 4 ND 2.0 Sport Tech Roadster Coupe , it could be 3 years away.

[stuartb]

There’s a journalist’s video from the Paris Motor Show which talks about the engine and wheel sizes.

 

[Llyr24]

Nice collection of stories:

 

http://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mx-5-miata

 

http://blog.caranddriver.com/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-2016-mazda-mx-5-miata/

 

http://blog.caranddriver.com/2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-first-drive-report-sort-of/

[Llyr24]

@stuartb

There’s a journalist’s video from the Paris Motor Show which talks about the engine and wheel sizes.

 

Yes - it is this - I posted above.

http://youtu.be/j21PfTkqbNE