New Miata

[Gripenfelter]

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/1.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Exterior_1_1s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Exterior_1_2s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Exterior_1_3s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Exterior_1_4s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Exterior_2_2s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Exterior_3_2s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Exterior_4_2s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Interior_1_1s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Interior_1_2s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Interior_1_3s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Interior_1_4s.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Interior_1_6s.jpg

Sixteen years and 700,000 units ago, Mazda launched its back-to-basics Miata onto a roadster-hungry public. And while the aging two-seater, last redesigned in 1998, still finds favor among legions of driving purists the world over, Mazda felt that it was about time to give the fun little sports car a much-needed makeover.

This third-generation car, which debuts in early March at the Geneva motor show, will draw power from a new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, up from a 1.8-liter engine in the Miata today. The bigger engine will turn out about 20 more horses as well, reaching upward of 160 hp. The torque climbs to about 140 lb-ft.


Shifting duty will fall to one of two six-speed units, either a manual or automatic with a shift-it-yourself-via-paddles option.

Physically the Miata has grown in just about every measurable dimension, with a 2.6-inch longer wheelbase, as well as a 3.0-inch wider front track and 2.1-inch wider rear track. Overall length and height have increased nominally, each by just 0.8 inch, but the Miata is now measurably wider, by 1.6 inches.

That extra width comes courtesy of a departure in styling for the little roadster, which for the first time abandons its characteristic Coke-bottle shape for a more RX-8-like design, complete with flatter flanks and bulbous front fenders. The additional space afforded by this move not only benefits passengers with more hip and shoulder room, but also allows for the addition of side-impact airbags.

Look for a more complete review of the new Miata closer to the car’s on-sale date, which Mazda says will be sometime later this year.

[brandon]

replace the taillights and thats a nice looking car :thumbsup:

[Rockski]

^^ hit the nail on the head there man... make them less flamboyantly farie-ish, and it wouldnt be bad at all.

[raishin]

sweet:D
light weight is the primary advantage for Miata, I hope they wouldn't gain too much of weight, other wise it will feel different.

[QuasarCav]

I love it!

That side shot looks like a smaller Aston Martin.

[three.eighteen.]

ehh, i was kinda hoping it would take more of mazda's new design cues...interior is nice and maybe it will look better in real life

[/////AMG]

Originally posted by brandon
replace the taillights and thats a nice looking car :thumbsup:
:werd: simple as that

[streetarab]

thats it? no more bullshit? cuz that will be a pretty nice car!

[Hollywood]

Where's the "new" miata????

Where's the beef?

:thumbsdow

[hyperwhite]

hmm...wonder if i'll actually be able to fit in this one :D

[Stratus_Power]

those interior plastic looks a bit low quality

[habsfan]

finally no more bs miatas, and this actually looks pretty decent too. now we just need mazdaspeed to work its magic on it :burnout:

[ca2p3r]

everything in the interior except maybe the seats are UGLY :barf:

[benyl]

too bad about the headlights. The rest looks great.

[Xtrema]

They better price is baby under $30K CDN. Because of this:




Pontiac Keeps its Words on Solstice

When General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz confirmed production of the Pontiac Solstice roadster, he promised to keep it priced at "under $20,000." He's delivering on his word. The sleek little two-seater will go for $19,995 when it rolls into showrooms over the summer -- including a $575 destination charge. The announcement didn't get the usual play because of the unusual way it was released. Rather than putting out a press release, Lutz confirmed details in an article he wrote for the automaker's new blog, GMFastLane.com. It's a place where, in the words of one company spokesman, "Bob Lutz and our other senior executives spill their guts." While there will be a variety of options available -- and likely plenty of aftermarket accessories, the base Solstice will deliver a well-equipped package, including 18-inch wheels, a heated glass rear window, and a CD audio system. A new Ecotec 2.5-liter in-line four engine will put out 177 horsepower through a five-speed manual transmission. GM expects to sell about 20,000 of the roadsters annually. -- Paul A. Eisenstein



Yeah, Soltice has the typical ugly kidney grill of Pontiac but @ $26K CDN, it's a steal!

http://www.autoweek.nl/images/480/1000331.jpg
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/480/1000335.jpg

[JordanEG6]

thats a pretty good lookin miata but i gotta agree with brandon, replace the tail lights and itll look awesome. :thumbsup:

[cycosis]

much better looking then the "RX8" nosed miata:thumbsup:

[rockym20]

I'm not that impressed. Given how good the Solstice and Sky look (not to mention the new Mustang convertable), Mazda is going to have a real fight on its hands for that market.

[Hollywood]

Originally posted by rockym20
I'm not that impressed. Given how good the Solstice and Sky look (not to mention the new Mustang convertable), Mazda is going to have a real fight on its hands for that market.

It looks too much like all the other miata's thats the problem. Nothing new, low tech design, un-inspireing.......

Mazda sux lately.

[thich]

i like the look; altho the fenders seemed big :eek:

very reminiscent of the NA miatas

[Ferio_vti]

Originally posted by cycosis
much better looking then the "RX8" nosed miata:thumbsup:

Tho keeping the RX8 hood was a good addition.
I dunno, the front grill could be a bit more agressive. Its lacking in something...

[BlueGoblin]

While it looks pretty good, it just seems, well, uninspired.

I see BMW Z1 + Aston Martin DB7 + old miata + RX8.

Its not a total slam per se, but it doesn't give me the wanna-buy-its...

[three.eighteen.]

i have a feeling they've been wanting to go for the mini DB7 look for a while, i remember reading there were several variations of the miata made overseas (like different trimlines that all had different bodies) one was very DB7esque...and that side profile pic with those colours is definetly trying to imitate

[JordanLotoski]

to me from the side it looks like a mini auston martin
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_geneva/mx5/images/Exterior_4_2s.jpg

[lastprodigy]

^ aston, and yes i agree!