Next-generation Mazda Miata could be lightest version ever , 1,800 LBS
#19
My wife had a 92 Miata and with winter tires it did better than my FWD 626 in snow and ice. We drove home is separate cars during a snowstorm and I parked the 626 and we took the Miata.
#20
Pole Position
There's no way. The Elise is 1900 pounds and made completely of aluminum. It has NO interior to speak of, no creature comforts, and is loud and uncomfortable. Plus it's barely road legal in the US having to file for exemptions.
There's no way they can make a 1700 pound Miata unless they use very exotic materials adding tremendous cost; or completely changing what the Miata is and turning it into an Ariel Atom.
There's no way they can make a 1700 pound Miata unless they use very exotic materials adding tremendous cost; or completely changing what the Miata is and turning it into an Ariel Atom.
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Nice!!!! They could even drop in a nice rotary engine in this puppy. So it be a small and powerful engine 1.3L with over 200 hp. If you add two turbos, it turn out over 250 hp. The weight, the engine and it being FWD. It probably could do 0-60 mph in 5 seconds or less.
Come on Mazda do it!
Plus with that kind of engine and weight... It could be in Lotus Elise territory and if you add a turbo it be in Lotus Exige territory.
Come on Mazda do it!
Plus with that kind of engine and weight... It could be in Lotus Elise territory and if you add a turbo it be in Lotus Exige territory.
#23
I would love to see a sub 2000 lb Miata. But I doubt it'll happen.My 95r was right around the 2k mark, and it was pretty spartan on amenities. No power windows, power steering, power roof, power seats, etc.. all that adds weight, and most modern consumers (enthusiasts excluded) expect these creature comforts. Not to mention federal safety regulations that add weight.
Could it be done with a special model, targeted towards enthusiasts? Maybe. Mazda has a long history of special package Miatas.
More motor? Who cares. My 95 only had ~130 stock, and it was plenty. The cars prowess had nothing to do with power, but just how nimble the overall package was. Keep it in the revs, and you could hold your speed through the twistiest of roads.
Lotus territory? No thanks. The Miata doesn't need to. It's always been a budget sportscar for the true enthusiast. It's low cost of entry has always been part of it's appeal. You could get a truly fun, pure sportscar, for a fraction of the competition.
But Mazda would be remiss to switch over to FWD. It would absolutely ruin it. It would change the whole driving dynamic of the platform, and quite frankly, make it much more pedestrian.
Could it be done with a special model, targeted towards enthusiasts? Maybe. Mazda has a long history of special package Miatas.
More motor? Who cares. My 95 only had ~130 stock, and it was plenty. The cars prowess had nothing to do with power, but just how nimble the overall package was. Keep it in the revs, and you could hold your speed through the twistiest of roads.
Lotus territory? No thanks. The Miata doesn't need to. It's always been a budget sportscar for the true enthusiast. It's low cost of entry has always been part of it's appeal. You could get a truly fun, pure sportscar, for a fraction of the competition.
But Mazda would be remiss to switch over to FWD. It would absolutely ruin it. It would change the whole driving dynamic of the platform, and quite frankly, make it much more pedestrian.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
#27
Lexus Fanatic
nice idea but there is no way in hell they can remove 700 lbs from a car in a single generation .
I will believe it when I see it. I dont buy this . Neither does inside line's source. Its great to see that they are getting aggressive but ........
I will believe it when I see it. I dont buy this . Neither does inside line's source. Its great to see that they are getting aggressive but ........
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Are you serious?...Maybe the first gen did have that stigma( Didn't help that Corky romano drove one), but the Miata/MX-5(whatever) is certainly no feminine vehicle. There are plenty of race tuned first gen Miata's around here that I'm sure would out handle most vehicles.
#29
Speaks French in Russian
Even if they do not hit their goal, I'm happy they are motivated to at least try to cut weight. Something a majority of companies are not doing. If its a minimal weight loss, it is still an improvement and lessons learned will filter to other model lines.