New Mazda MX-5 unveiled

'A dramatic leap in Jinba Ittai driving fun' for leaner and meaner fourth-gen MX-5 [Updated with more pics]

Mazda has unveiled the all-new fourth-generation MX-5 at simultaneous events in the US, Spain and Japan. PH was at the latter, flagged as 'Thanks day in Japan' and attended by lots and lots of deeply reverential MX-5 fans dutifully parading past and paying their respects to a car that promises "a dramatic leap in Jinba Ittai driving fun." Probably for the best Harris wasn't present...

Leaner and significantly meaner MX-5

Being in Japan is great for atmosphere and lots of 'konichiwa zoom-zoom spirit', less so for getting hard facts about the car. But here's what we know so far; as well as looking a lot edgier the new MX-5 is significantly smaller and lighter than the one it replaces, Mazda apparently not reading the script that says new cars generally put on weight and size compared with their predecessors. Indeed, Mazda claims to have sliced "more than 100kg" out of the NC version and the new car is 105mm shorter, 20mm lower and has 15mm out of the wheelbase. The only dimension in which it's grown is width, even then by just 10mm.

Curiously there seems to be no confirmation about what's powering it, other than it's a 'Skyactiv-G' petrol engine. Running unusually high compression of 14:1, these Mazda engines have bucked the trend for downsizing and manage competitive CO2 and mpg numbers even in the relatively large 2.0-litre version. Some tech here from Mazda if you want to know more. In 2.0-litre form it develops 165hp in the Mazda 3 and combined with a kerbweight of around 1,150kg would be enough to provide the necessary zoom-zoom spirit but who's to say Mazda won't follow the weight-saving and downsizing mantra further and use the 1.5-litre version. This can reportedly go to 115hp, reprising the output of the original NA MX-5 1.6 of 25 years ago.

Smaller in every dimension apart from width

Whichever version it is we know from the previous unveiling of the running gear that it follows MX-5 tradition by linking engine, gearbox and differential by a 'power beam' for a rigid drivetrain. It's apparently mounted lower and further back than before too, lowering the centre of gravity and, says Mazda, reducing yaw inertia too. Transmission is a six-speed manual, which will please the purists while the steering is electrically assisted. Proof on that will be in the driving.

And the styling? Mazda is talking a lot more about this than the engineering for now, with lots of discussion of its 'Kodo' design language. While remaining true to the traditional MX-5 proportions the new car has a more pronounced rear-set stance and a much sharper, more aggressive look about it than the more cute'n'cuddly outgoing car. There's a hint of BMW Z4 in the proportions and surface detailing, perhaps a little F-Type in the rear lights and, inevitably, a bit more metal above the front wheelarches to provide cushioning for inattentive pedestrians. This doesn't do wonders for the looks but the design team have mitigated its impact and it's a much more dramatic and forward looking change than the play it safe second-gen and retro-themed third-gen.

In conclusion then Mazda seems to have stayed true to the founding MX-5 principles of light weight, normally aspirated power, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox while taking a much more radical step with the styling. It's due on sale next year, we'll be pestering them for a drive as soon as possible.

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anonymous-user

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55 months