Gotta love the MX-5

[PricklyPete]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/mazda-sets-lightweight-target-of-2-200-pounds-for-next-gen-mx-5/

Haven't read up much on the engine they are promoting...but I like Mazda's target on this thing. While some might associate it with being a Chick car, the car is seriously fun to drive...and the fact that they will be making a vehicle that is within a hair's weight of the same car 20 years ago...just magnificent. Not to mention I probably will be able to fit in this one (like I do the NC..being 6'5" has some disadvantages) and it will have substantially more power than the original. This will be true Zoom-Zoom.

 

[speedy2]

Sounds like another good candidate for an LSx swap!

 

[vi edit]

Wow. 50MPG too...

Topless
RWD
Fun to weight ratio
And excellent gas milage

Sounds like a winning combo.

 

[StageLeft]

Wow. 50MPG too...

Topless
RWD
Fun to weight ratio
And excellent gas milage

Sounds like a winning combo.

Always wondered why the Miata got worse mileage than a F350 towing a 5th wheel. I really did. Now I know, it was just lazy engineering, since they are able to do something about it to such a degree now.

 

[PricklyPete]

Always wondered why the Miata got worse mileage than a F350 towing a 5th wheel. I really did. Now I know, it was just lazy engineering, since they are able to do something about it to such a degree now.

I think the NC gets 32MPG on the highway...doesn't seem that bad to me. The 50mpg will be great as long as the engine remains enjoyable and reliable.

 

[Silex]

Yeah, Mazda, good luck with that 2200lb weight limit with all the safety regulations that must be met. It's a good goal though. And I bet this SKY-G motor makes under 100hp. Great they are trying to keep weight down, but it needs more power as well.

 

[punjabiplaya]

the new mazda2 is 2300 lbs, so 2200 doesn't sound unreasonable

 

[Throckmorton]

the new mazda2 is 2300 lbs, so 2200 doesn't sound unreasonable

It sounds unreasonable for a RWD convertible sports car.

But maybe they'll figure it out.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

It sounds unreasonable for a RWD convertible sports car.

But maybe they'll figure it out.

I hope so...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/243763/mazda_mx5_superlight_concept.html

it’s pure driving pleasure turned up to 11

 

[StageLeft]

If they only have to shed 100 lbs from 2300 it seems a reasonable task.

 

[angry hampster]

Always wondered why the Miata got worse mileage than a F350 towing a 5th wheel. I really did. Now I know, it was just lazy engineering, since they are able to do something about it to such a degree now.

~22 city and ~30 highway?


Very short gearing. These things are made for sprinting through cities.

 

[Imp]

Not buying one soon, but considering this or a CR-Z in the next few years. Better mileage might push me back towards the Miata. Just hope they don't make it any wider than the NC.

 

[Throckmorton]

My NA only got about 27mpg mixed. The problem is the short top gear. They could easily have made them with the same sporty short gearing, with a nice tall overdrive for highway mileage. But they didn't, because most people are too stupid to downshift and instead would complain about "lack of passing power".

 

[yhelothar]

Always wondered why the Miata got worse mileage than a F350 towing a 5th wheel. I really did. Now I know, it was just lazy engineering, since they are able to do something about it to such a degree now.

I'd go with that. It just boggles my mind how a 2200lb car with a 1.6L 4 banger could only get 22/30. And 30 hwy is cruising at 65mph, any more and you'll dwindle down to 28mpg or so.
I'm sure short gearing has a lot to do with it, but it's still ridiculous.

 

[Mermaidman]

Can Mazda keep the cost down? Or will it turn the Miata into a premium car of . . . . lets say $30K and higher?

And how will this news affect the already-limpid sales of the current model?

 

[Bignate603]

If they can touch 50 mpg I'm buying one. If they keep the price near $22k it will be the cheapest, most fuel efficient fun car that will be on the roads.

 

[punjabiplaya]

If they can touch 50 mpg I'm buying one. If they keep the price near $22k it will be the cheapest, most fuel efficient fun car that will be on the roads.

That would be one of the best driver's car. I'd buy two. One for driving, one as a project car for mods/auto-x/etc...

 

[Bignate603]

That would be one of the best driver's car. I'd buy two. One for driving, one as a project car for mods/auto-x/etc...

It will be the poor man's lotus.

 

[mwmorph]

Yeah, Mazda, good luck with that 2200lb weight limit with all the safety regulations that must be met. It's a good goal though. And I bet this SKY-G motor makes under 100hp. Great they are trying to keep weight down, but it needs more power as well.

The 2000-2005 Toyotoa MR2 Was 2150lbs growing to 2200 at end of life due to more chassis bracing. The Elise is 1980lbs curb weight. The Miata should be fine.

I'd go with that. It just boggles my mind how a 2200lb car with a 1.6L 4 banger could only get 22/30. And 30 hwy is cruising at 65mph, any more and you'll dwindle down to 28mpg or so.
I'm sure short gearing has a lot to do with it, but it's still ridiculous.

All these sporty cars did it, the MR2 Spyder cruided at 70mph at ~3500rpm in 5th gear.

 

[zerocool84]

The 2000-2005 Toyotoa MR2 Was 2150lbs growing to 2200 at end of life due to more chassis bracing. The Elise is 1980lbs curb weight. The Miata should be fine.

MR2 didn't have to deal with the ever harsher safety regulations that newer cars have to deal with. They keep getting worse and worse and the Elise is a purpose built car. The Miata is NOT a purpose built car. If they don't sell enough Miata's to average people they'll have to kill it so they can't make it too hardcore like those two cars. I really hope they don't make hardcore cus then it'll die cus hardcore small cars like that don't sell well any more. Cars have to appeal to a wider audience now-a-days.

 

[DivideBYZero]

MR2 didn't have to deal with the ever harsher safety regulations that newer cars have to deal with. They keep getting worse and worse and the Elise is a purpose built car. The Miata is NOT a purpose built car. If they don't sell enough Miata's to average people they'll have to kill it so they can't make it too hardcore like those two cars. I really hope they don't make hardcore cus then it'll die cus hardcore small cars like that don't sell well any more. Cars have to appeal to a wider audience now-a-days.

Yes it is.

 

[43st]

I'd go with that. It just boggles my mind how a 2200lb car with a 1.6L 4 banger could only get 22/30. And 30 hwy is cruising at 65mph, any more and you'll dwindle down to 28mpg or so.
I'm sure short gearing has a lot to do with it, but it's still ridiculous.

The car wasn't made for fuel economy. The car was designed to be driven.. and it get's remarkable mileage considering this.

My Mx-5 fuelly. Not really comparable to a Ford truck, and I'm not subtle about driving it either.

A 50 MPG MX-5 and I'll be first in line at the dock to pick one up.

 

[StageLeft]

It IS still ridiculous. A much heavier, more powerful sedan with a much greater air signature can get mileage like that. I suspect more than just gearing, I bet with a really long last gear it will still do worse on the highway than one would think from a tiny car with a modest engine.

 

[CRXican]

It's about driving fun, not gas mileage. Who cares?

If you don't have one you don't know.

 

[StageLeft]

It's about driving fun, not gas mileage. Who cares?

If you don't have one you don't know.

Lots of people?