Photo: original image by autoevolution
For Mazda and sportscar fans in general, this is going to be a cruel summer, since we’ll have to wait until September 4 to see the fourth-generation Miata / MX-5 make its world debut. We couldn’t just sit around thinking about what the Japanese carmaker’s Skyactiv ways will do for the sportscar, so we "engineered" a cool rendering.
While we aimed to have the styling from of the new Miata covered, when it comes to the tech side of the story, things become a bit more complicated. Despite the fact that the chassis has always been the heart of an MX-5, the engine is currently the hottest topic.
That’s all Mazda’s fault, since the company released a teaser clip for the 2016 Miata earlier this month. The footage came with a soundtrack that had “forced induction” written all over it.
With the speculation fire started, we have to mention that Mazda is rumored to be working on a 2.5-liter turbocharger mill for the upcoming hot hatch Mazdaspeed (MPS in Europe) incarnation of the new Mazda3.
Still, there are many barriers that stand between the Miata and a turbocharged engine. First of all, the sheer idea of a turbocharged Mazda engine brings a lot of challenges these days. That’s because Mazda has focused all its efforts on moving around forced induction with its new-generation Skyactiv-G engines. For instance, the current... sky-high compression ratio of 14:1 is way too much for a turbocharged unit.
Secondly, while the Mazdaspeed3 is allowed to go nuts in any hot hatch manner it desires, the Miata must stay true to its sportscar spirit. This means the turbo’s power delivery must be as linear as possible.
Returning to the 2016 Miata / MX-5 chassis, we’ll remind you the automaker used this year’s New York Auto Show to showcase the new platform. The Skyactiv principles bring a diet that should see the car loose about 100 kg (220 lbs). Somewhere in there, the cutaway Mazda used for the display also includes a transmission tunnel element that appears to act as a backbone, so we’re expecting some sweet times through the twisties.
As if Mazda’s story didn’t raise our anticipation level enough, we’ll remind you the new Miata will also have a Fiat Group sister car, with Abarth being a likely candidate for the role.
That’s all Mazda’s fault, since the company released a teaser clip for the 2016 Miata earlier this month. The footage came with a soundtrack that had “forced induction” written all over it.
With the speculation fire started, we have to mention that Mazda is rumored to be working on a 2.5-liter turbocharger mill for the upcoming hot hatch Mazdaspeed (MPS in Europe) incarnation of the new Mazda3.
Still, there are many barriers that stand between the Miata and a turbocharged engine. First of all, the sheer idea of a turbocharged Mazda engine brings a lot of challenges these days. That’s because Mazda has focused all its efforts on moving around forced induction with its new-generation Skyactiv-G engines. For instance, the current... sky-high compression ratio of 14:1 is way too much for a turbocharged unit.
Secondly, while the Mazdaspeed3 is allowed to go nuts in any hot hatch manner it desires, the Miata must stay true to its sportscar spirit. This means the turbo’s power delivery must be as linear as possible.
Returning to the 2016 Miata / MX-5 chassis, we’ll remind you the automaker used this year’s New York Auto Show to showcase the new platform. The Skyactiv principles bring a diet that should see the car loose about 100 kg (220 lbs). Somewhere in there, the cutaway Mazda used for the display also includes a transmission tunnel element that appears to act as a backbone, so we’re expecting some sweet times through the twisties.
As if Mazda’s story didn’t raise our anticipation level enough, we’ll remind you the new Miata will also have a Fiat Group sister car, with Abarth being a likely candidate for the role.
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