Photo: Mazda
The Mazda MX-5 has always been the Diet Coke of the automotive industry, there to let you have fun without actually having to exceed the speed limit. Everything about it is great so long as you don't drag race anybody, because its 2-liter engine hasn't even got the power of a family compact.
It's no secret that Mazda is developing the next generation sportscar with Fiat. The two companies will collaborate on anything from engineering to design, but it's widely believed the engines will be different. We thought that would mean Skyactiv carryovers for the Japanese car, but get this: the new MX-5 will be powered by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated four-pot.
A report from Autocar states this based on supposed insider information. When the Miata goes on sale in 2015, its base form will thus get a retuned version of the same 1.5 SkyActiv engine used by the cheapest Mazda3 models in Europe. We just drove the the sedan with that mill and while it was nippy, it was not sportscar material. We're talking about a dismal 100 PS and (150 Nm) 111 lb-ft of torque. In the family car, this is only enough for 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds.
Weight will, however, be on the MX-5's side. The next-gen is expected to weigh as little as 2,204 lbs (1,000 kg), almost 200 kg less than the Mazda3.
We believe Mazda will give the 1.5 an output of approximately 125 PS in order to match the outgoing 1.8-liter. This will allow their marketing marketing people to claim "the same amount of power with 30% better fuel efficiency"
Given the lack of power, we can only assume the next MX-5 will be a lot cheaper than the 200 hp Toyota GT 86/Subaru BRZ. Mazda will also develop a 2-liter version of the car, but even that might not match the Toyobaru's output.
The MX-5 was originally designed to fight and replace classic Brit 2-seater sportscars like the MG Midget. The first generation weighed 2,150 lb (980 kg) and came with a 1.6-liter making 115 hp. It's now outlived its rivals, but in a market where 200 hp hot hatches are common, what chance does the little Miata have? On paper then, things look bad. But maybe Fiat's 1.4 turbo version will be better.
A report from Autocar states this based on supposed insider information. When the Miata goes on sale in 2015, its base form will thus get a retuned version of the same 1.5 SkyActiv engine used by the cheapest Mazda3 models in Europe. We just drove the the sedan with that mill and while it was nippy, it was not sportscar material. We're talking about a dismal 100 PS and (150 Nm) 111 lb-ft of torque. In the family car, this is only enough for 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds.
Weight will, however, be on the MX-5's side. The next-gen is expected to weigh as little as 2,204 lbs (1,000 kg), almost 200 kg less than the Mazda3.
We believe Mazda will give the 1.5 an output of approximately 125 PS in order to match the outgoing 1.8-liter. This will allow their marketing marketing people to claim "the same amount of power with 30% better fuel efficiency"
Given the lack of power, we can only assume the next MX-5 will be a lot cheaper than the 200 hp Toyota GT 86/Subaru BRZ. Mazda will also develop a 2-liter version of the car, but even that might not match the Toyobaru's output.
The MX-5 was originally designed to fight and replace classic Brit 2-seater sportscars like the MG Midget. The first generation weighed 2,150 lb (980 kg) and came with a 1.6-liter making 115 hp. It's now outlived its rivals, but in a market where 200 hp hot hatches are common, what chance does the little Miata have? On paper then, things look bad. But maybe Fiat's 1.4 turbo version will be better.
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