MAZDA MX-5 MIATA: THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR
TWO-SEAT CONVERTIBLE SPORTS CAR
Award-winning, segment-saving, world’s best – just a few
phrases to describe the legendary MX-5. All-new for 2006, the
MX-5 won the prestigious Japan Car of the Year and was also
named a Car and Driver “10 Best”. MX-5 also is known as
the car that brought the affordable, fun-to-drive, two-seat
roadster segment back to life in 1989 and has continued to set
sales records since, making it the world’s best-selling two-seat
roadster, and cementing Mazda’s place in the annals of sports
car manufacturers.
As the ultimate ride for sheer driving and ownership pleasure
the 2007 MX-5 Miata adds minor interior features and offers two
new exterior colors. In addition, MX-5 adds a new Power
Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) for 2007 (covered in separate
release). Unchanged is the very essence of the “oneness of horse
and rider” – the development credo of the original Miata – as
elemental and as true as ever.
The heart of the MX-5 remains a highly-responsive MZR-series
2.0-liter, 166-horsepower (at 6,700 rpm) powerplant (163 for A/T
models). The 2007 MX-5 has a light and compact engine, featuring
chain-driven double overhead camshafts, lightweight fly wheel,
variable intake valve timing, electronically controlled port
fuel injection and coil-on-plug ignition. Revving smoothly to
its 7,000 rpm redline, the 2.0-liter engine delivers 140 lb-ft
of torque at 5,000 rpm for driving exhilaration throughout the
rev range.
“The MX-5 stands for pure driving exhilaration, as a daily
driver and as a near race-ready car,” said Tetsu Nakazawa, MX-5
vehicle line manager. “Whether simply driving up the highway to
work or speeding through the turns at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca,
the MX-5 offers loads of sporty driving pleasure and makes an
ordinary drive spectacular.”
RACING DNA
Mazda, of course, has a distinguished history of producing
great sports cars. The first Mazda sports car to win worldwide
recognition and praise was the rotary-powered Cosmo Sport
launched in 1967. The RX-7, which followed in 1978, won the
hearts of sports car enthusiasts and claimed many important race
victories. The original MX-5 Miata, launched in 1989 as a 1990
model, revolutionized the affordable two-seat roadster market.
Two years ago, Mazda’s introduction of the RX-8 redefined the
boundaries of sports car design by offering spectacular
performance and comfortable accommodation for four adults in one
innovative sports car package.
All of Mazda’s considerable expertise and passion for
designing great sports cars was drawn on for the latest
third-generation MX-5.
UNDERPININGS SUITABLE FOR THE TRACK
Too much weight is bad for athletes, and just as bad for
sports cars. Weight hurts acceleration, throttle response,
handling and agility. It negatively affects braking distances
and fuel economy. Mazda engineers worked hard make the MX-5
light-weight – while building a roomy, safe car.
Weight-saving measures include the use of an aluminum hood
and trunk lid and many aluminum suspension and braking
components. There is widespread use of high-strength and ultra
high-strength steel in the unitary construction body, which
boosts body strength while simultaneously cutting weight. The
2.0-liter engine has an aluminum block and head, and the intake
manifold and cam cover are made from lightweight composite
plastic. In the end, MX-5 is very light weight, yet the car is
roomy for tall or large adults, and safe for everyone, thanks to
its strong body and safety features (including standard side
airbags and ABS anti-lock brakes for all versions).
How is this combination possible? By utilizing the ‘gram
strategy’. One of the imperatives for Mazda engineers was making
every gram count by assessing the weight of the vehicle in the
smallest possible increments. Under this ‘gram strategy’
imperative, for example, the design of the rear-view mirror was
simplified, thus trimming 84 grams, or 0.19 lbs. While not a
surmountable difference on its own, by applying this strategy
throughout every nook and cranny of the MX-5’s design, Mazda
engineers were quite effective in building a light, roomier,
stronger and safer sports car.
Front suspension is by double wishbones, as in the best
sports cars and race cars. They provide linear toe, caster, and
camber changes as the wheels travel up and down. Anchor points
are reinforced to provide the desired lateral stiffness and made
from aluminum to reduce weight. No suspension system better
relays feedback so accurately to the driver, nor induces such
all-round stability. The new multilink rear suspension has long
links to help linearity.
Springs are coil all round, and dampers are gas-filled for
more accurate wheel control on difficult and taxing roads.
POWERFUL 2.0-LITER FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE
The sophisticated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine gives strong
performance, has an inspiring exhaust note, and most important
of all, is brilliantly responsive. It reacts to driver commands
with lightning-quick reflexes, and offers progressive power
delivery. Such linearity is the key to all of the MX-5’s driving
controls. The MZR-series engine is shared with the engine used
in MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6, CX-7,
Tribute and B-Series.
The engine is mounted front mid-ship, for ideal handling
balance and nimbleness. It uses an aluminum block and head for
lighter weight and structural rigidity, ultimately improving
performance and refinement. Chain-driven double-overhead
camshafts and 16-valve breathing are used for improved revving
and flexibility. Variable intake valve timing improves low-end
torque and high-end power.
Maximum power is 166 horsepower at 6,700 rpm (163 horsepower
for A/T models). For good tractability and ease-of-driving, at
least 90 percent of peak torque (140 lb-ft) is available from
2,500 rpm to the 6,700 rpm redline. (Fuel cut off is at 7,000
rpm.)
Standard equipment is a close-ratio five-speed manual
transmission, and a six-speed manual gearbox is available, with
gear ratios close-stacked to enhance the joy of sporty driving.
Short, quick shift strokes have been achieved by use of
triple-cone synchros on the first four gears.
“Miata-like” shift quality quickly became the benchmark for
the industry when the first MX-5 launched in 1989. The third
generation MX-5 takes performance feel to an entirely new level
– think, and the car all-but changes gears on its own.
A Sport A/T automatic transmission adds dimension to the
MX-5’s personality. Six ratios are provided to improve
acceleration, driving refinement and freeway comfort. Paddles
mounted behind the steering wheel command upshifts while buttons
positioned on the spokes are used for downshifts. Coordinating
engine torque with the shift sequence, results in smooth,
seamless, and fast gear changes. The Sport A/T-equipped car is a
joy to drive, with gear ratios perfectly matched to the engine’s
horsepower and torque output.
STYLISH TWO-SEATER
The design brief also was clear: To convey fun and modern
styling but retain the iconic feel of the earlier generation
MX-5 Miatas.
MX-5’s design is based on the original, but is new in every
way. The first- and second-generation MX-5 Miata exterior design
is a rounded shape with a wide footprint, large-radius corners
and deep side contours. On the third generation, the Coke-bottle
shaped center section is eliminated. Instead, the designers have
used an entirely new oval shape in which the seating area is now
the widest portion of the car. It makes for a roomier, safer
cockpit and yet still expresses the compact look of a
lightweight sports car.
Side surfacing is rounded yet taut – like the skin over a
muscled body. Door mirrors continue the elliptical theme
established by the original MX-5 Miata.
Head and tail lamps are mounted inboard to reinforce
compactness, central to the car’s design philosophy. The tail
lamps combine the traditional elliptical shape from previous
design generations with new, modern materials. The rounded
grille opening is similar to the original MX-5 Miata, and is
part of the car’s iconic shape. The front bumper is clean and
aerodynamically shaped. Seat-back bars add an eye-catching
detail to the rear view.
Side skirts, tire-area deflectors and the front spoiler are
designed to control airflow under the body and along its sides,
minimizing drag.
The soft top provides a sporty, classic appearance with a
flatter upper surface and a longer rear contour that flows
smoothly into the rear deck. The lowered shape blends smoothly
with surrounding body contours so well that no separate
‘tonneau’ cover is needed.
The Z-fold design makes erecting and folding the roof even
easier. It uses a simple, central latch handle.
New for 2007 is a Power Retractable Hard Top model (covered
in a separate release). This addition to the lineup builds on
the soft-top two-seater’s zest for life by enhancing year-round
comfort and security. Opening and closing cycles last only 12
seconds, making this the fastest power-operated retractable hard
top in the U.S.
In addition, two new exterior colors are available for 2007 –
Stormy Blue Metallic and Highland Green.
ENVIRONMENT TO ENJOY DRIVING
The interior design theme balances comfortable snugness below
shoulder level with openness above, to give the impression of
riding in open air.
The T-shaped instrument panel is consistent with Mazda
design-DNA while the center console accentuates the backbone of
the car. Strong horizontal and vertical theme lines connote
rigidity and sports car capability. The black center stack is as
simple and functional as possible. The arched hood over the
instrument cluster and four circular vents are part of the
MX-5’s cabin identity.
Wind in the hair is one thing, but nobody enjoys cockpit
turbulence and buffeting, especially on long drives. Small
quarter windows block drafts between the windshield pillars and
door mirrors into the cockpit.
An aero board located between the seat back hoops is tall and
perforated to slow down reverse-flow air that rushes into the
cockpit. Mesh construction helps to reduce weight.
The quality of craftsmanship used in the MX-5 is quite unlike
any MX-5 before. From the details of bright-trimmed gauges to
the “piano-black” finish on the dash, the MX-5 feels and looks
like a far more expensive vehicle than it actually is.
MODELS AND ACCESSORIES
The MX-5 Miata was conceived primarily for the US market, and
throughout its 17-year history, America has always been the
biggest market for what has become – easily – the world’s most
popular two-seat convertible. The newly named-for-2007 Special
Value model represents the least expensive way of getting into
an MX-5. As with the next step-up MX-5, it gets a five-speed
manual gearbox, 16-inch aluminum sports wheels, power-assisted
door mirrors, dual exhausts, power windows, cloth upholstery,
AM/FM/CD player with four speakers, dual front airbags and side
airbags. In addition, the MX-5 gets air conditioning and a
leather-covered steering wheel.
The Touring version, in addition, gets fog lamps, cruise
control, Advanced Keyless Entry with retractable key and
steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, and adds the
Convenience Package for 2007.
The six-speed manual gearbox with leather shift knob is
standard on the MX-5 Miata Sport, as are bigger 17-inch alloy
sports wheels. The Grand Touring gets heated leather seats, faux
leather door trim, cloth soft top, and a BOSE ® audio system
with seven speakers.
When upgrading to the Grand Touring with Premium Package, the
vehicle gets Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System. The
top-range 3 rd Generation Limited adds exclusive Velocity Red
paint with Red or Black leather upholstery, chrome grille,
windshield trim, headlamp bezels, fog lamps bezels and door
handles, chrome rings around the gauges and vents, silver
instrument panel finisher, stainless steel scuff plates and
unique-design 17-inch wheels with bright finish, among other
unique features.
A Portable media (auxiliary) jack is standard on all trims.
All 2007 Mazdas come with a roadside assistance program. With
a call to a toll-free number, owners can access roadside
assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout the United
States and Canada. In addition, a comprehensive
three-year/36,000-mile warranty covers every part on the vehicle
except those subject to normal wear. Also, all 2007 models
receive a five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and a
five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American
Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer
service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada
and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are
managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and
in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
2006 Mazda MX-5
Roadster Coupe
1.
The Success Story
2-3
The Legend
Lives On
2.
Why a Second Version?
4-5
365 Days a
Year of Fun
3.
Design
6-9
Its Own Unique
Character
4.
Power Retractable Hard Top
10-11
Folding into a
Smaller Space
5.
Body & Chassis
12-13
Not a Gram too
Much
6.
Powertrain
14-15
Two Four-cylinder
Engines & Rear-wheel Drive
7.
Safety & Equipment
16-18
On-road Safety and
Comfort
The Success Story –
The Legend Lives On
The Mazda MX-5 Miata Roadster Coupe
Click on the Pic to See a video of this
awesome new roadster in action!
1.
• Over 770,000 MX-5s
produced worldwide to date
• Entered in the
Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful roadster
in history
• All-new
third-generation MX-5 premiered at the Geneva Motor Show 2005
Although 17 years old, the
Mazda MX-5 is already an absolute classic. An object of
cult-like adoration, it has enjoyed unbroken popularity since
launch in 1989. At the Geneva Motor Show last year, Mazda
introduced the third generation of the Mazda MX-5 that followed
in the footsteps of two predecessors, whose success surprised
even the most optimistic forecasters. Since 2000, Mazda MX-5 has
been in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most
successful open, two-seater vehicle ever. Since that date, the
publisher has kept adjusting the sales figures upward with each
new edition of the book. At the end of June 2006, the number
stood at 774,372 units produced worldwide and demand for the
current version of the cult roadster remains high in Europe,
North America and Japan. The number of prizes and awards Mazda’s
roadster has won around the world is equally as impressive –
over 150 to date.
The Mazda MX-5 concept –
with a north-south engine placement, 50:50 weight distribution,
classic two-seater design with long bonnet and short rear end,
along with a manually retractable soft top – is just as alluring
now as it was in 1989. The third-generation MX-5 is even more
fun to drive, with improved Jinba Ittai handling attributes.
Yabusame is the name of a Japanese ritual, in which a warrior
shoots an arrow into a target while riding a horse. Only when
horse and rider are in perfect harmony can the arrow hit the
bull’s-eye. Mazda MX-5 delivers a similar symbiosis between
driver and machine, an exhilarating oneness with the roadster
that precludes the need for a V6 engine and 200 PS of power.
Why a Second Version? –
365 Days a Year of Fun
2.
• Strong demand for an
MX-5 with a power retractable hard top
• Lightweight sports car
concept remains undiluted
• Low weight gain and
boot space remains the same
During the last few years,
several coupes have been launched in Europe with electric
retractable roofs. This trend has led to an increase in demand
among potential Mazda customers for an MX-5 version with a
retractable hard top. Many of these people have never owned an
MX-5 but find the idea of open- top roadster fun, combined with
the added comfort a hard top offers, very attractive.
Mazda MX-5 Programme
Manager Takao Kijima is convinced “that we will expand the
worldwide fan base of the MX-5 with the new model.” Kijima knows
that for hardcore MX-5 fans the only “true” roadster will always
be the original version with a soft top. For these people, the
MX-5 is a design object only with top open. “Even so, there are
many potential customers who, while wanting the exhilaration of
open-top driving, have hesitated to become owners because of
concerns about security and comfort. We realized that with an
easy to use hard top, a great design and the same agile chassis,
we could bring these customers into the MX-5 fold.”
One overriding goal
determined the entire development programme of the Mazda MX-5
Roadster Coupe: the concept of the lightweight roadster was in
no way, shape or form to be diluted. Engineers worked hard to
keep the weight of the coupe version as low as possible – it
weighs only 37 kg more than the soft top model. At the same
time, the design of the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe should remain
as close as possible to that of the soft top model. Its
silhouette – with a low, flowing shoulder line and, unlike
nearly all other coupes/convertibles, a short rear overhang –
gives the MX-5 Roadster Coupe the same lightweight, sporty road
presence as the soft top. “And the nice thing is,” added Kijima,
“the car looks great with the top up.”
A Global First – a Power
Retractable Hard Top that Needs no Boot Space
Another goal of development
was achieved by the package team. The hard top doesn’t fold back
into the boot, but into a space just behind the seats, leaving
boot volume unchanged versus the soft top model. Mazda is the
first carmaker in the world to achieve this amazing feat of
spatial economy.
Another bonus for MX-5
Roadster Coupe customers will be its affordable price of
purchase compared to many other coupe/convertible line ups. The
increase in price compared to the soft top version is
appropriate, considering that coupe target customers
traditionally put more emphasis on build quality and seek a more
premium image.
Design –
Its Own Unique Character
3.
• Design based on the
third-generation MX-5
• Hard top design is
compact, stylish and sophisticated
• More prominently
contoured rear fenders and a slightly higher rear deck
The briefing for Mazda
designers left no doubt: “Remain true to the basic design
principals of the third-generation MX-5, while creating a new
roadster coupe with its own, exciting identity.”
The third-generation MX-5
further enhanced the design of Mazda’s roadster icon. For the
new Roadster Coupe, this same silhouette with a low, flowing
shoulder line, was retain- ed. The same goes for the car’s
overall proportions, with slight changes undertaken at the rear
of the car. It is precisely here that many coupes with power
retractable roofs gain in size, resulting in a massive-seeming
rear overhang.
None of this can be seen in
the athletic look of the new MX-5 Roadster Coupe. Its overall
proportions are as harmonious as the shape of its hard top. This
was achieved with a design that emphasizes the MX-5 Roadster
Coupe’s open-top character first and foremost. In other words,
starting point for the design was the Mazda MX-5 soft top, and
not a redesigned coupe. The windshield, the entire front end,
the small quarter windows, the beltline and other elements of
Roadster Coupe’s front and side panels are carried over from the
soft top model.
Only at the back of the new
MX-5 Roadster Coupe, where the power retractable hard top is
stowed, were slight, but subtle changes necessary in the area of
the rear fenders and the rear deck. The front edge of the rear
deck lid, for instance, is 40 mm higher than the soft top at
this location. In order to realize a flowing, harmonious form at
the back, designers raised the trailing edge of the boot lid by
about 20 mm. The result: the rear end of the MX-5 Roadster Coupe
falls softly, rather than abruptly here. Nonetheless, the
overall design seems more tapered and solid-looking compared to
the soft top model.
Visual Balance Achieved
by More Prominent Wheel Arches
The higher rear end does
not diminish MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s low, sports car road stance,
because designers employed more prominently contoured rear wheel
arches as a kind of visual balance. These contribute to the
impression of power and make the Roadster Coupe seem to crouch
on the road.
In fact, all of the
Roadster Coupe’s panel articulation is highly sophisticated –
there are no body lines that are not without purpose. A good
example is the ridge of the rear deck lid. Running from fender
to fender, this ridge merges on either side with ridges at the
tops of the door panels – a visual trick that prevents the rear
deck cover from seeming unusually long.
Innovative Plastic
Composite Material used for the Hard Top
Using plastic material for
the lightweight hard top gave designers a lot of freedom in
creating just the right shape. Its glass window with a printed
heating element could be made a bit larger than that of the soft
top MX-5 to ensure a good rear view. When the top is closed, the
MX-5 Roadster Coupe is only 10 mm higher than the soft top
model; while width, length, wheelbase and track remain
identical.
Another goal of development
was to make the hard top as compact and stylish as possible. Its
tautly curved shape makes the passenger compartment seem
compact. Only the need to stow the hard top behind the seats,
and not in the boot, prevented a flatter, more wedged-shaped
design here. 16 To prevent the roof from seeming too upright,
relatively slim B-pillar designs were employed. Added to this is
a contoured edge on both sides of the roof, which optically
unifies its front and middle sections.
High-Mount Brake Light
with a White instead of Red Lens
A new design accent is
created by the MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s high-mount brake light. It
is placed further forward than that of the soft top model, is
thinner and uses a white lens instead of a red one. The rear
combination lights and rear bumper are absolutely identical with
those of the soft top version.
The new Mazda MX-5 Roadster
Coupe will be offered with seven exterior colours, including two
all-new colours – Stormy Blue Mica and Highland Green Mica
(depending on market). These new colours deliver exciting
contrasts in different light conditions.
Two Buttons on the
Centre Stack Operate the Hard Top
Changes to the interior
include the addition of a pair of buttons to open and close the
retractable hard top, each located on either side of the
hazard-warning button in the upper section of the dashboard
centre stack. There is also an indicator lamp that illuminates
to warn the driver if, for instance, the roof does not
completely lock into place upon closing.
There are also subtle
changes made to the area behind and between the seats. The two
storage recesses behind the seats are dropped from the Roadster
Coupe – valuable inches that were put to good use stowing the
retractable roof. Remaining small-storage compartments can be
found in the large centre console box. The semi-bucket sport
seats, with seatback pockets included, are carryover from the
soft top model.
The new Roadster Coupe will
be offered with three trim levels (depending on market). Besides
black fabric upholstery, there are two leather trim packages –
black and saddle-tan (light brown).
Power Retractable Hard Top –
Folding into a Smaller Space
4.
• The hard top
opens/closes in only 12 seconds
• Central lock mechanism
like the soft top
• Wind noise and sound
levels further reduced
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s
power retractable hard top is a miracle of packaging ingenuity.
It retracts into such a compact space that, with the top down,
the 150-litre boot volume of the soft top remains untouched. And
it couldn’t be easier to use. Like the soft top MX-5, the driver
must first release the centre lock located in the middle of the
front roof section. After this is initiated, the driver holds
down the open button and the hard top disappears in just 12
seconds (the quickest on the market today). This manoeuvre has
to be done while the car is standing still.
The retractable hard top
was developed by Mazda with Webasto Japan and consists of three
moving sections and the rear deck cover, which is also a moving
element.
A total of four electric
roof motors – two on each side of the vehicle – facilitate the
metamorphosis of the car from coupe to open-top roadster and
back again. Before opening or closing the hard top, the windows
(if in the up position) are automatically lowered by
approximately 100 mm to make sure there is enough room for the
roof to fold back unimpeded.
In its efforts to keep
additional weight for the hard top version as low as possible,
Mazda used two different kinds of materials, sheet moulding
compound (SMC) for the outer panels and glass fibre-reinforced
polypropylene (GFPP) for the inner panels of the retractable
roof.
SMC material is a
fibre/plastic composite material with high rigidity and heat
resistance and, to the joy of the designers, is easily formable
into shapes that would never be possible with steel or
aluminium. And SMC’s smooth surface structure gives an excellent
paint finish, which contributes to high levels of build quality
and craftsmanship. GFPP combines the virtues of low weight and
high strength. This material allowed the inner panels to have a
dimpled surface, which looks so good it doesn’t need to be
painted. For these reasons, Mazda engineers could do without a
moulded roof liner – the combination of SMC and GFPP makes the
MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s hard top just 20 mm thick as a result.
The Power Retractable
Hard Top Weighs just 18 kg more than the Soft Top
These materials also ensure
that the hard top structure is light and compact. The roof
itself (not including rear deck cover) weighs only 18 kg more
than the soft top of the Mazda MX-5. And not only that, owners
of the MX-5 Roadster Coupe can also transport a case of 12,
1.5-litre bottles upright in the boot, even with the top down.
Wind management has also
been perfected with the new MX-5 Roadster Coupe. Naturally,
Mazda roadster fans have the most fun with their car when a warm
summer breeze blows through their hair. This would not be the
case with cabin turbulence blowing on their neck in the process.
To avoid this with the MX-5 Roadster Coupe, whose rear deck is
nearly 40 mm taller at its front edge, designers added an air
guide made of polypropylene to the standard aero board behind
the seats. This air guide runs the entire width of the aero
board and forces air flowing forward from the back of the
vehicle upwards.
Designers improved drive
comfort even further by lowering cabin noise levels on the
motorway. At a speed of 120 km/h with the top up, the measured
noise level was reduced by 8 dB for the MX-5 Roadster Coupe.
Body & Chassis –
Not a Gram too Much
5.
• Weight increase is
only 37 kg
• Additional body shell
reinforcements compensate for larger body openings
• Slight modifications
to suspension tuning
The soft top version of the
Mazda MX-5 owes its unusually agile and linear handling
characteristics to a strict gram strategy applied during the
development of the third- generation version. One of the main
goals in developing the new Roadster Coupe version was to keep
the unavoidable gain in weight as low as possible. Only by
delivering this, could MX-5’s famous Jinba Ittai driving
dynamics be assured for the hard top version as well.
The Roadster Coupe version
is just 37 kg heavier than the soft top model. Of this weight,
30.2 kg were needed for the roof itself, the rear deck cover and
other small related parts; 3 kg for the steel (rather than
aluminium) boot lid, 1.6 kg for the complex wiring harness
switches, 0.3 kg for additional material at the aero board and
for trim configuration modifications and 1.4 kg for the
additional body reinforce- ments and sound insulation features.
Because the Roadster
Coupe’s body opening for stowing the hard top is 45 mm wider and
82 mm longer than that of the soft top model’s, local
reinforcements had to be employed to compensate for a slight
loss in body stiffness. These include:
• A 1.8 mm thick
reinforcing bracket at both corners of the rear deck opening,
• Increasing the thickness
of the front surface of the rear deck from 0.7 mm of the soft
top model to 1.8 mm for the Roadster Coupe model,
• Strengthening the sides
of the rear deck opening by inclusion of a closed-section
structure that extends through the front surface of the rear
deck.
These local reinforcements
make body shell stiffness of the MX-5 Roadster Coupe comparable
to the soft top model. Here as well, developers kept the weight
gain as low as possible, limited to 820 grams.
While body shell stiffness
of the soft top model is nearly the same whether the top is open
or closed, with the MX-5 Roadster Coupe, body shell stiffness is
slightly higher with the top up than when it is down. To
compensate for this slight difference, developers attempted to
keep the difference in perceived handling feel as minimal as
possible.
Larger Front Stabilizers
and Optimized rear Springs and Dampers Settings
Because there is slightly
more weight at the back of the Roadster Coupe when the hard top
is stowed behind the seats, engineers optimally tuned the rear
springs and dampers. At the same time, a larger front stabilizer
is introduced (increased in diameter from 21 to 22.2 mm) along
with new settings for the front dampers.
These features give the
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe handling characteristics that provide
further refinements compared to the agile and nimble handling
characteristics of the soft top. This slight difference is
ideally suited to the new model and meets the premium quality
demands of its target customer.
Powertrain –
Two Four-cylinder Engines &
Rear-wheel Drive
6.
• 1.8 and 2.0-litre MZR
petrols with 126 and 160 PS
• Manual five and
six-speed transmissions with sporty shifting characteristics
• Stiff powerplant frame
similar to Mazda RX-8 for high rigidity
The new Mazda MX-5 Roadster
Coupe will be launched with the same two lively four-cylinder
engines as the soft top model (depending on market). Both are
from the MZR family of engines, have four valves per cylinder
and a displacement of 1.8 and 2.0 litres respectively. Both
engines are installed front midship, placing them closer to the
vehicle’s centre of gravity than an east-west mounted engine,
for outstanding handling characteristics.
The MZR 2.0-litre produces
maximum power of 118 kW/ 160 PS at 6,700 rpm and maximum torque
of 188 Nm at 5,000 rpm. At least 90 percent of this is
consistently available at engine speeds of between 2,500 and
6,700 rpm, making the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe fun to drive,
even at low engine speeds. The MZR 1.8-litre base engine
produces a maximum of 93 kW/126 PS at 6,500 rpm and maximum
torque of 167 Nm at 4,500 rpm. Thanks to aerodynamic refinement
of the roadster coupe body style, the top speed is now 215 km/h
(+ 5 km/h).
Both engines meet Euro
Stage IV emission standards and deliver good acoustic qualities
as well. A deep timbre of 500 Hz supports cultivated cruising at
mid-engine speeds. Above 5,000 rpm, the engine sound swells to a
sporty pitch.
The new MX-5 Roadster Coupe
comes with either a five or six-speed manual transmission
(depending on engine), both of which are easy to shift with just
a flick of the wrist. With precise, short shift travel and low
levels of shift effort, these transmissions are perfect
complements to the MX-5 Roadster Coupe driving experience.
Like both early generations
of the Mazda MX-5, the newest model has an aluminium powerplant
frame in the transmission tunnel. This Z-shaped member functions
like a strong backbone that connects the transmission and the
rear differential. It can be traced back to similar structures
in the sports car Mazda RX-7 and the current rotary engine
sports car, Mazda RX-8, which is produced on the same assembly
line in Japan as the Mazda MX-5 soft top and the MX-5 Roadster
Coupe.
Safety & Equipment –
On-road Safety and Comfort
7.
• Side airbags to protect
head and thorax
• Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) standard on all models (depending on market)
• iPod®*-compatible audio
system newly introduced with Roadster Coupe
*iPod is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.
The third-generation Mazda
MX-5, both soft top and Roadster Coupe models, are the first Mazda
roadsters to have side airbags as standard (depending on market).
These are installed in the outer section of the seatbacks and
protect the head and thorax. They consist of two chambers. Each
chamber is activated at the same time by a common gas generator and
a single inflator. This single inflation process delivers a decisive
time advantage over conven- tional dual-stage airbag systems, in
which both chambers are filled with gas one after the other.
Furthermore, the upper and slightly larger chamber (that protects
the head) inflates firmer and for a longer time, than the lower
chamber. In this way, Mazda achieves a similar effect to vehicles
with a permanent hard top equipped with curtain airbags.
Other passive safety features
include ISOFIX anchors for securing a child safety seat in the
passenger seat, and the front passenger seat airbag can be
deactivated with the ignition key. Both the steering wheel column
and the brake pedals are designed to reduce the risk of lower body
injury to the driver in case of a serious front impact, and both
seats have three-point seat belts with pretensioners and load-
limiters.
In the extremely unlikely event
that the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe could ever roll over, protection
is provided to the passengers by bracing bars integrated into the
A-pillars made of ultra-high-strength steel (1,500 Mpa), a massive
windshield frame and reinforcements behind the seats. Also, large
body shell cross members protect passengers in case of side impact.
58 percent of the body shell is
made of either ultra-high- strength or high-strength steel, both of
which are three times stronger than normal types of steel and
allowed for an ideal combination of thin, lightweight material that
is extremely strong. The bonnet is made of aluminium and has been
optimized for pedestrian protection. Its inner bonnet panel is made
of a shock-cone structure that effectively absorbs impact energy
applied to the outside of the bonnet from above.
MZR 2.0-litre Versions come
Standard with Limited-Slip Differential
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s
active safety package includes ABS with electronic brake-force
distribution (EBD) and DSC with traction control system (TCS). The
2.0-litre version also comes with a super LSD (limited-slip
differen- tial) with especially soft functionality.
Standard equipment includes
16-inch wheels with 205/50 tyres, steering wheel height adjustment,
aero board, retractable key, heated rear window, remote central
locking, electric power windows and a Mazda audio system.
17-inch Aluminium
Alloys also Available
Also available (depending on
market) are features like manual air conditioning, climate control,
17-inch aluminium alloy wheels, leather interior with seat heating,
metallic paint, Xenon headlights with headlight cleaning system,
automatic headlight levelling and fog lights. Also available is the
keyless entry and start system “LogIn” and an anti-theft alarm
system (depending on market).
An optional BOSE sound system
with seven speakers and CD-changer is available as well. It employs
electronic frequency control and signal adjustment technology to
deliver high levels of musical enjoyment even driving with the top
down.
Premium Technology –
iPod®*-Compatible Audio System
With the Mazda MX-5 Roadster
Coupe, an audio system adaptor is introduced for iPod compatibility,
a premiere for Mazda in Europe. The system is able to play, for
instance, MP3 music files from Apple’s iPod digital music player
using the normal audio controls of the car or the steering wheel
(latter, depending on market). You can fast-forward, rewind, repeat,
and even use the Random Selection function. For installing and
charging the iPod, there is a special jack on the passenger side in
the glove compartment.
"Jinba Ittai" or "Rider and horse
as one" in Western terms - is the essence of the MX-5. Jinba
Ittai drove all of the development team's decisions,
yielding a car so nimble and fun to drive that the driver
and car achieve true unity. This unified rider and horse
concept allowed us to create a new MX-5 that's true to the
spirit of the original, exceptionally lightweight, and lots
of fun to drive.
-Mazda MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima
February 9, 1989 , marks a highly significant moment in
sports car history: this is the day that Mazda presented the
original MX-5/Miata at the Chicago Auto Show. By updating
the classic formula that had defined fun yet affordable two
seat sports cars for decades, Mazda reinvented the concept
of a lightweight roadster.
First-generation
MX-5
Sixteen years later, Mazda's focus on driving fun has
only intensified. The classic roadster continues to evolve
in the Hiroshima-based company's care and the MX-5 is still
the only two-seater dedicated to the idea of rider and horse
as one. Proving that the MX-5 is a fundamental expression of
Mazda's soul, an all-new third-generation edition was
unveiled at the 2005 Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva
, Switzerland . Rethinking and re-engineering the MX-5 has
provided Mazda the ideal opportunity to create the
purest-ever expression of Zoom-Zoom motoring.
Key changes for the third-generation MX-5:
A
body structure that uses new materials and technologies to
trim weight, improve crashworthiness, and increase rigidity
Fresh,
contemporary interior and exterior designs that celebrate the
iconic status accorded the original MX-5
Slightly
larger exterior dimensions aimed at providing adequate room
for tall occupants, improved comfort, and enhanced safety
Linear
and lively engines
Improved
steering, suspension, and braking systems
Fine
craftsmanship that yields a high quality appearance and many
delightful features available for the first time in an MX-5
Mazda has long produced unique and exciting sports cars. The
first Mazda automobile to win world-wide notoriety was the
rotary-powered Cosmo Sport launched in 1967. The RX-7, which
followed in 1978, won the hearts of sports car enthusiasts and more
than its share of racing laurels. Two years ago, Mazda's
introduction of the RX-8 revolutionized classic sports car
definitions by offering exciting design, spectacular performance,
and comfortable accommodation for four adults in one innovative
package.
The classic lightweight sports car is near and dear to Mazda
partly for cultural reasons. The Japanese derive great pleasure from
simplicity, elegance, and compactness. Traditional Noh performing
arts are expressed in simple gestures. Ceremonial tea masters
demonstrate fine aesthetics in very limited spaces. So the concept
of a functionally elegant sports car with compact dimensions is well
understood and fondly admired at Mazda.
In May 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the
Mazda MX-5 as the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in
history, with 531,890 units produced to that date. In April 2005,
the Guinness Book of World Records updated the number of units
produced to 700,000.
Evolution of an Icon
To renew the MX-5 for its third generation, Mazda engineers
focused on evolving the lightweight sports car concept while
acknowledging that this new generation must follow the tracks of a
modern motoring icon. MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima not only
looked ahead to understand how the motoring world's needs have
changed since the original MX-5 was launched, he also looked back to
pinpoint what made this Mazda so special in the eyes and hands of
car enthusiasts the world over. What he found was an intensity of
spirit possessed by very few sports cars.
Recalling the circumstances at Mazda that brought the original
MX-5 to life in the 1980s, Kijima notes, “The driving force behind
the success of the MX-5 project was the passion of Toshihiko Hirai,
the engineer who proposed the car and managed its development. Hirai
was convinced that Mazda needed an inimitable product to distinguish
it from other Japanese makers so he drew from Mazda's heritage and
adamantly persuaded other managers that the MX-5 sports car was well
worth their support. When the MX-5 was unveiled after a few years of
Hirai's dedicated effort, it was the first new lightweight open
two-seater in more than a decade.
"Due to the first-generation MX-5's success, key elements
such as the engine, unibody, and packaging carried over to the
second generation. I lead the development of that car and found that
it was not that difficult to nurture a product that customers truly
admired.
Second-generation MX-5
"The task of creating an all new third-generation MX-5 was a
greater challenge because this project consisted of a blend:
previous traditions joined with several innovative updates and
state-of-the-art technologies that had the potential of advancing
the car to new levels of performance and enjoyment.
"To select the appropriate technologies for the
third-generation MX-5, I began by studying exactly how the original
car came into being. Naturally, that led me to Mr. Hirai who is
retired from teaching at a Japanese university. He and I
collaborated on an SAE paper covering the development of the
original MX-5 which focused on how Jinba Ittai—the
synergy of rider and horse moving as one - was achieved through
Kansei Engineering."
Research into Kansei Engineering began at the Hiroshima
University ergonomics laboratory about 30 years ago. In contrast to
building automobiles engineered to meet certain specific performance
goals, the Kansei approach challenges the engineer's sensitivity and
creativity. Emotional values such as 'fun' and 'beauty' are a higher
priority than the traditional engineering indices. All the senses
are involved. Kijima continues, "Instead of zero-to-60-mph
acceleration statistics, Kansei Engineering helps us understand how
the car feels through the driver's sense of touch, how it sounds at
speed, how it looks with the top folded, and what pleasant scents
can be enjoyed during a spring drive. For all intents, Kansei
Engineering is the software we used to perfect the MX-5's hardware.
"We selected the Japanese artistic ritual JInba Ittai
as the illustrative symbol of JInba Ittai. In this ritual,
an archer mounted on a horse gallops past a target and shoots an
arrow. To hit the target's bull's eye, the archer and horse must
move as one. A natural two-way communication is essential and the
horse and rider alliance must also exhibit a high degree of synergy.
Updated to the 21st century, JInba Ittai is similar to the
bond between a single-seat formula-car driver and his racer or the
relationship between a high-performance sport motorcycle and its
rider at speed.
"JInba Ittai stands for the cozy driver-car
relationship targeted for the first-generation MX-5. Instead of
aiming for sheer speed, the goal was establishing fun-to-drive
attributes as the top priority.
"Our paper pointed out that, with Kansei Engineering, the
focus is not on direct measures such as performance and quality
achievements but rather the intangible virtues such as pleasure,
beauty, and emotional attachment. In the end, Kansei Engineering is
a navigational tool that leads development engineers to study every
aspect of design, mechanical function, and dynamic response in order
to achieve the highest possible degree of driving satisfaction.
"To integrate Kansei values into the original MX-5, Hirai
created a fishbone chart with head of the fish labeled JInba
Ittai and each rib extending from the spine of the fish labeled
with key Kansei elements such as integrated feel, linear and direct
feel, and so on. Notes depicting specific elements necessary to
realize the Kansei attributes were positioned next to the respective
rib.
"By working closely with Mr. Hirai on the SAE paper, I
gained a deep appreciation of the original MX-5's developmental
process. This understanding became the starting point for my
third-generation effort.
"I decided that preserving the JInba Ittai and
fun-to-drive character of the first- and second-generation cars was
of utmost importance in the development of the new MX-5. One of the
first steps with my team was the creation of a fish-bone chart that
would clarify developmental goals and spell out the means by which
those goals should be realized. Each team member stated in writing
how they would realize the JInba Ittai concept within their
respective development areas. To formalize their commitments, each
team member's statement became part of a concept catalogue and
copies of the final catalogue were issued to everyone participating
in MX-5's development.
"One aspect of support I didn't have to worry much about was
the backing of Mazda's top management. While sports cars are a lower
priority than mainstream models at many companies, such is not the
case at Mazda. Top management understands and embraces our sports
car philosophy and considers driving fun the very core of Mazda's
Zoom-Zoom strategy. As a result, management and the MX-5 development
team worked together as one.
"Throughout this effort, those nurturing the new MX-5
regarded their car as something more than a machine. Thanks to its
fun-loving character, it's capable of bringing happiness and
enrichment to its owners. In contrast to today's consumer culture
where convenience and efficiency outrank simple pleasures, MX-5 is a
warm companion that exhibits a genuine enthusiasm for motoring. I'm
very confident that the MX-5 we've engineered is the ultimate
lightweight sports car and solid proof that Mazda is serious about
building and selling products that are great fun to own and
drive.”
Lots of Fun Concept
Throughout the 16 years of its existence, the MX-5 has always
been defined in terms of the fun it delivers. This distinctive
character is called 'lots of fun' by Mazda because the pleasure
delivered includes but goes beyond driving enjoyment. In addition to
providing the driver a sense of command over a spirited machine, the
MX-5 offers the driver and passenger a sense of being in intimate
touch with their surroundings. Other dimensions are the pride
conveyed by the MX-5's attractive design, the enjoyment of
customizing its appearance and function to suit personal tastes, and
the joy of meeting friends in a car that's so universally admired.
Fun is truly a multi-dimensional MX-5 quality.
Recognizing this special characteristic, the core product concept
of the new MX-5 is "a car in which JInba Ittai
dynamics and lots of fun are carried forward and evolved for another
generation."
Evolution of Jinba Ittai
Although Kijima was the chassis specialist for the first
generation and program manager for the second generation, a lot of
soul searching by team members was necessary because few others had
participated in the development of the first- or second-generation
MX-5 models. By driving competitive sports cars and the current MX-5
extensively in wide-ranging conditions, these members soon
identified those attributes that should continue unaltered and other
qualities that warranted updating for life in the 21st century.
Nearly 100 team members created a catalogue expressing their
personal passion for the "rider and horse as one" concept
and the means they intended to use to instill the MX-5 with this
emotion. One example: Chief Designer Yasushi Nakamuta pledged
"to create a design which gives FUN to people every time they
see, touch, and drive the car by combining lightweight sports car
virtues - such as simple beauty and function - with a very direct
feel and a meticulous shape for every part."
Third-generation MX-5
Distinctive packaging was the first attribute selected for
preservation. Maintaining the original car's front-engine,
rear-wheel-drive, open-cockpit, two-seat basic layout was deemed a
better means of achieving driving enjoyment than simply creating a
car with superior performance. Therefore fundamental features from
the first generation - the front-midship engine location, double
wishbone suspension systems, a snug cockpit, and a powerplant frame
linking the transmission to the differential - were passed on to the
third-generation. And given the universal admiration for the MX-5's
exterior design proportions, the essence of that look was also
deemed worthy of preserving.
Since the original and the second-generation MX-5 were created,
sports car buyers have become much more environmentally aware and
more interested in features aimed at protecting their safety. In
order to address those concerns in the third-generation MX-5, the
development team searched for appropriate advanced technology to
improve safety and comfort.
New Fish Bone Chart
The long list of attributes that ultimately lead to the JInba
Ittai goal line - oneness between car and driver - were
arranged in six new fish bone categories: driving, braking,
cornering, listening, touching, and styling. Then, to achieve true
synergy between those discrete categories, a cooperative framework
was created to help developmental team members be more aware of the
progress of the entire engineering process.
Four of these cross-disciplinary categories drawn from Kansei
Engineering principles are:
LIGHTNESS - even though the new MX-5 is slightly
larger than its predecessors, keeping it as light as possible
improves every aspect of performance. A gram strategy (discussed in
detail in the next chapter) was critical to the lightweight cause.
Related imperatives are a low center of gravity, 50:50 weight
distribution, and the lowest possible moment of inertia in the yaw
plane.
CONSTISTENCY - the balance and natural
interaction between driving, cornering, braking, and listening
aspects requires a harmonious approach. A special team was created
to study various components - shifter, steering wheel, control
pedals, etc. with the aim of achieving a high degree of balance and
consistency in the car's overall personality. Liveliness and nimble
behavior in every dynamic move were deemed critical to maximizing
driving enjoyment. Handling was selected as the MX-5's focal point
and every other performance aspect was drawn into harmony with that
primary criterion.
PERFORMANCE FEEL - how the car feels in the
hands of a sensitive driver was subdivided under five descriptive
headings - linear, lively, powerful, torqueful, and smooth. This
emphasizes the more subtle tactile relationship between car and
driver over raw indices such as acceleration and cornering-g
figures. Establishing these subheadings helped coordinate the
evaluation and optimization of all the performance attributes.
CRAFTSMANSHIP - in addition to static
attributes, the development engineers also concentrated on new
dynamic aspects of craftsmanship. To this end they conducted
in-depth research into the dynamics of driver behavior, focusing on
the driving position, the layout, operation and feel of the
controls, the harmonic engine sound, the tactile aspects of the
interior design, and outward visibility.
The 2006 Mazda MX-5
JInba Ittai" and "Lots of Fun"
"Jinba Ittai" or "Rider and
horse as one" in Western terms - is the essence of the MX-5.
Jinba Ittai drove all of the development team's
decisions, yielding a car so nimble and fun to drive that
the driver and car achieve true unity. This unified rider
and horse concept allowed us to create a new MX-5 that's
true to the spirit of the original, exceptionally
lightweight, and lots of fun to drive.
-Mazda MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima
February 9, 1989 , marks a highly significant moment in sports
car history: this is the day that Mazda presented the
original MX-5/Miata at the Chicago Auto Show. By updating
the classic formula that had defined fun yet affordable two
seat sports cars for decades, Mazda reinvented the concept
of a lightweight roadster.
First-generation MX-5
Sixteen years later, Mazda's focus on driving fun has only
intensified. The classic roadster continues to evolve in the
Hiroshima-based company's care and the MX-5 is still the
only two-seater dedicated to the idea of rider and horse as
one. Proving that the MX-5 is a fundamental expression of
Mazda's soul, an all-new third-generation edition was
unveiled at the 2005 Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva
, Switzerland . Rethinking and re-engineering the MX-5 has
provided Mazda the ideal opportunity to create the
purest-ever expression of Zoom-Zoom motoring.
Key changes for the third-generation MX-5:
A
body structure that uses new materials and technologies to
trim weight, improve crashworthiness, and increase rigidity
Fresh, contemporary interior and exterior designs that
celebrate the iconic status accorded the original MX-5
Slightly larger exterior dimensions aimed at providing
adequate room for tall occupants, improved comfort, and
enhanced safety
Linear and lively engines
Improved steering, suspension, and braking systems
Fine craftsmanship that yields a high quality appearance and
many delightful features available for the first time in an
MX-5
Mazda has long produced unique and exciting sports cars. The
first Mazda automobile to win world-wide notoriety was the
rotary-powered Cosmo Sport launched in 1967. The RX-7, which
followed in 1978, won the hearts of sports car enthusiasts
and more than its share of racing laurels. Two years ago,
Mazda's introduction of the RX-8 revolutionized classic
sports car definitions by offering exciting design,
spectacular performance, and comfortable accommodation for
four adults in one innovative package.
The classic lightweight sports car is near and dear to Mazda
partly for cultural reasons. The Japanese derive great
pleasure from simplicity, elegance, and compactness.
Traditional Noh performing arts are expressed in simple
gestures. Ceremonial tea masters demonstrate fine aesthetics
in very limited spaces. So the concept of a functionally
elegant sports car with compact dimensions is well
understood and fondly admired at Mazda.
In May 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the
Mazda MX-5 as the best-selling two-seat convertible sports
car in history, with 531,890 units produced to that date. In
April 2005, the Guinness Book of World Records updated the
number of units produced to 700,000.
Evolution of an Icon
To renew the MX-5 for its third generation, Mazda engineers
focused on evolving the lightweight sports car concept while
acknowledging that this new generation must follow the
tracks of a modern motoring icon. MX-5 program manager Takao
Kijima not only looked ahead to understand how the motoring
world's needs have changed since the original MX-5 was
launched, he also looked back to pinpoint what made this
Mazda so special in the eyes and hands of car enthusiasts
the world over. What he found was an intensity of spirit
possessed by very few sports cars.
Recalling the circumstances at Mazda that brought the original
MX-5 to life in the 1980s, Kijima notes, “The driving force
behind the success of the MX-5 project was the passion of
Toshihiko Hirai, the engineer who proposed the car and
managed its development. Hirai was convinced that Mazda
needed an inimitable product to distinguish it from other
Japanese makers so he drew from Mazda's heritage and
adamantly persuaded other managers that the MX-5 sports car
was well worth their support. When the MX-5 was unveiled
after a few years of Hirai's dedicated effort, it was the
first new lightweight open two-seater in more than a decade.
"Due to the first-generation MX-5's success, key elements such
as the engine, unibody, and packaging carried over to the
second generation. I lead the development of that car and
found that it was not that difficult to nurture a product
that customers truly admired.
Second-generation MX-5
"The task of creating an all new third-generation MX-5 was a
greater challenge because this project consisted of a blend:
previous traditions joined with several innovative updates
and state-of-the-art technologies that had the potential of
advancing the car to new levels of performance and
enjoyment.
"To select the appropriate technologies for the
third-generation MX-5, I began by studying exactly how the
original car came into being. Naturally, that led me to Mr.
Hirai who is retired from teaching at a Japanese university.
He and I collaborated on an SAE paper covering the
development of the original MX-5 which focused on how Jinba Ittai—the
synergy of rider and horse moving as one - was achieved
through Kansei Engineering."
Research into Kansei Engineering began at the Hiroshima
University ergonomics laboratory about 30 years ago. In
contrast to building automobiles engineered to meet certain
specific performance goals, the Kansei approach challenges
the engineer's sensitivity and creativity. Emotional values
such as 'fun' and 'beauty' are a higher priority than the
traditional engineering indices. All the senses are
involved. Kijima continues, "Instead of zero-to-60-mph
acceleration statistics, Kansei Engineering helps us
understand how the car feels through the driver's sense of
touch, how it sounds at speed, how it looks with the top
folded, and what pleasant scents can be enjoyed during a
spring drive. For all intents, Kansei Engineering is the
software we used to perfect the MX-5's hardware.
"We selected the Japanese artistic ritual JInba Ittai as
the illustrative symbol of JInba Ittai. In
this ritual, an archer mounted on a horse gallops past a
target and shoots an arrow. To hit the target's bull's eye,
the archer and horse must move as one. A natural two-way
communication is essential and the horse and rider alliance
must also exhibit a high degree of synergy. Updated to the
21st century, JInba
Ittai is similar to the bond between a
single-seat formula-car driver and his racer or the
relationship between a high-performance sport motorcycle and
its rider at speed.
"JInba Ittai
stands for the cozy driver-car relationship targeted for the
first-generation MX-5. Instead of aiming for sheer speed,
the goal was establishing fun-to-drive attributes as the top
priority.
"Our paper pointed out that, with Kansei Engineering, the focus
is not on direct measures such as performance and quality
achievements but rather the intangible virtues such as
pleasure, beauty, and emotional attachment. In the end,
Kansei Engineering is a navigational tool that leads
development engineers to study every aspect of design,
mechanical function, and dynamic response in order to
achieve the highest possible degree of driving satisfaction.
"To integrate Kansei values into the original MX-5, Hirai
created a fishbone chart with head of the fish labeled JInba Ittai and
each rib extending from the spine of the fish labeled with
key Kansei elements such as integrated feel, linear and
direct feel, and so on. Notes depicting specific elements
necessary to realize the Kansei attributes were positioned
next to the respective rib.
"By working closely with Mr. Hirai on the SAE paper, I gained a
deep appreciation of the original MX-5's developmental
process. This understanding became the starting point for my
third-generation effort.
"I decided that preserving the JInba Ittai and
fun-to-drive character of the first- and second-generation
cars was of utmost importance in the development of the new
MX-5. One of the first steps with my team was the creation
of a fish-bone chart that would clarify developmental goals
and spell out the means by which those goals should be
realized. Each team member stated in writing how they would
realize the JInba Ittai
concept within their respective development areas. To
formalize their commitments, each team member's statement
became part of a concept catalogue and copies of the final
catalogue were issued to everyone participating in MX-5's
development.
"One aspect of support I didn't have to worry much about was
the backing of Mazda's top management. While sports cars are
a lower priority than mainstream models at many companies,
such is not the case at Mazda. Top management understands
and embraces our sports car philosophy and considers driving
fun the very core of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom strategy. As a
result, management and the MX-5 development team worked
together as one.
"Throughout this effort, those nurturing the new MX-5 regarded
their car as something more than a machine. Thanks to its
fun-loving character, it's capable of bringing happiness and
enrichment to its owners. In contrast to today's consumer
culture where convenience and efficiency outrank simple
pleasures, MX-5 is a warm companion that exhibits a genuine
enthusiasm for motoring. I'm very confident that the MX-5
we've engineered is the ultimate lightweight sports car and
solid proof that Mazda is serious about building and selling
products that are great fun to own and drive.”
Lots of Fun Concept
Throughout the 16 years of its existence, the MX-5 has always
been defined in terms of the fun it delivers. This
distinctive character is called 'lots of fun' by Mazda
because the pleasure delivered includes but goes beyond
driving enjoyment. In addition to providing the driver a
sense of command over a spirited machine, the MX-5 offers
the driver and passenger a sense of being in intimate touch
with their surroundings. Other dimensions are the pride
conveyed by the MX-5's attractive design, the enjoyment of
customizing its appearance and function to suit personal
tastes, and the joy of meeting friends in a car that's so
universally admired. Fun is truly a multi-dimensional MX-5
quality.
Recognizing this special characteristic, the core product
concept of the new MX-5 is "a car in which JInba Ittai dynamics and lots of fun are carried forward
and evolved for another generation."
Evolution of Jinba Ittai
Although Kijima was the chassis specialist for the first
generation and program manager for the second generation, a
lot of soul searching by team members was necessary because
few others had participated in the development of the first-
or second-generation MX-5 models. By driving competitive
sports cars and the current MX-5 extensively in wide-ranging
conditions, these members soon identified those attributes
that should continue unaltered and other qualities that
warranted updating for life in the 21st century.
Nearly 100 team members created a catalogue expressing their
personal passion for the "rider and horse as one" concept
and the means they intended to use to instill the MX-5 with
this emotion. One example: Chief Designer Yasushi Nakamuta
pledged "to create a design which gives FUN to people every
time they see, touch, and drive the car by combining
lightweight sports car virtues - such as simple beauty and
function - with a very direct feel and a meticulous shape
for every part."
Third-generation MX-5
Distinctive packaging was the first attribute selected for
preservation. Maintaining the original car's front-engine,
rear-wheel-drive, open-cockpit, two-seat basic layout was
deemed a better means of achieving driving enjoyment than
simply creating a car with superior performance. Therefore
fundamental features from the first generation - the front-midship
engine location, double wishbone suspension systems, a snug
cockpit, and a powerplant frame linking the transmission to
the differential - were passed on to the third-generation.
And given the universal admiration for the MX-5's exterior
design proportions, the essence of that look was also deemed
worthy of preserving.
Since the original and the second-generation MX-5 were created,
sports car buyers have become much more environmentally
aware and more interested in features aimed at protecting
their safety. In order to address those concerns in the
third-generation MX-5, the development team searched for
appropriate advanced technology to improve safety and
comfort.
New Fish Bone Chart
The long list of attributes that ultimately lead to the JInba Ittai goal
line - oneness between car and driver - were arranged in six
new fish bone categories: driving, braking, cornering,
listening, touching, and styling. Then, to achieve true
synergy between those discrete categories, a cooperative
framework was created to help developmental team members be
more aware of the progress of the entire engineering
process.
Four of these cross-disciplinary categories drawn from Kansei
Engineering principles are:
LIGHTNESS - even though the new MX-5 is slightly larger than its
predecessors, keeping it as light as possible improves every
aspect of performance. A gram strategy (discussed in detail
in the next chapter) was critical to the lightweight cause.
Related imperatives are a low center of gravity, 50:50
weight distribution, and the lowest possible moment of
inertia in the yaw plane.
CONSTISTENCY - the balance and natural interaction between driving,
cornering, braking, and listening aspects requires a
harmonious approach. A special team was created to study
various components - shifter, steering wheel, control
pedals, etc. with the aim of achieving a high degree of
balance and consistency in the car's overall personality.
Liveliness and nimble behavior in every dynamic move were
deemed critical to maximizing driving enjoyment. Handling
was selected as the MX-5's focal point and every other
performance aspect was drawn into harmony with that primary
criterion.
PERFORMANCE FEEL - how the car feels in the hands of a sensitive driver
was subdivided under five descriptive headings - linear,
lively, powerful, torqueful, and smooth. This emphasizes the
more subtle tactile relationship between car and driver over
raw indices such as acceleration and cornering-g figures.
Establishing these subheadings helped coordinate the
evaluation and optimization of all the performance
attributes.
CRAFTSMANSHIP - in addition to static attributes, the development
engineers also concentrated on new dynamic aspects of
craftsmanship. To this end they conducted in-depth research
into the dynamics of driver behavior, focusing on the
driving position, the layout, operation and feel of the
controls, the harmonic engine sound, the tactile aspects of
the interior design, and outward visibility.
The All-New Mazda MX-5 Debuts at 2005 Geneva Motor Show
Evolution of an Icon
On
February 9th, 1989, Mazda Motor Corporation made history,
when it unveiled the Mazda MX-5/Miata at the Chicago Auto Show.
Mazda had reinvented and reinvigorated the lightweight roadster with
a formula that defined affordable, fun cars for decades.
Sixteen
years later and Mazda’s relentless pursuit of fun has never waned,
with the Hiroshima-based company continuing to develop and evolve
the classic concept of the two-seat roadster. With the global debut
of the all-new, third-generation Mazda MX-5 at the 2005 Salon
International de l'Auto in Geneva, Mazda once again demonstrates
that producing a simple, lightweight sports car is fundamental to
the soul of the car maker—the result is the ultimate roadster and
the purest expression yet of Zoom-Zoom.
Mazda has
long produced unique and exciting sports cars. The first Mazda
automobile to gain worldwide notoriety was the rotary-powered Mazda
Cosmo Sport launched in 1967. The Mazda RX-7, which followed in
1978, won the hearts of sports car enthusiasts and two years ago, in
2003, Mazda introduced the Mazda RX-8 and rewrote the sports car
rule book. Its combination of striking design, spectacular rotary
performance and comfortable accommodation for four adults wrapped in
a four-door package is truly innovative.
To renew
the MX-5, Mazda engineers focused on evolving the lightweight sports
car concept as the all-new car must follow in the tracks of a modern
motoring icon. In May 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records
recognized the Mazda MX-5 as the best-selling two-seat convertible
sports car in history, with 531,890 units produced to that date.
Since that affirmation, demand has held strong. More than 700,000
Mazda MX-5s have been sold around the globe.
Not
surprisingly, when creating the all-new Mazda MX-5, program manager
Takao Kijima not only looked ahead to understand how the motoring
world’s needs had changed since the original Mazda MX-5 was
launched, he also looked back to pinpoint and focus on what made
this Mazda so special in the eyes and hands of car enthusiasts the
world over. What he found was an intensity of spirit possessed by
very few sports cars.
Rider
and Horse as One—"Jinba Ittai"
In
Japanese, the exceptional soul of the Mazda MX-5 is described by the
expression Jinba Ittai. The direct translation of the idiom
is "rider and horse as one."
"Yabusame,"
a longstanding artistic ritual ceremony in Japan, truly embodies the
essence of Jinba Ittai (pronounced gin-buy ee-tie). An archer
mounted on horseback gallops past a target and shoots an arrow. To
achieve a bull’s eye, the archer and horse must move as one. There
must be a natural two-way communication and a high degree of synergy
in their alliance.
This
oneness of motion between rider and horse was selected as the most
apt analogy depicting the relationship between the driver and a
Mazda MX-5. Updated for the 21st century, Jinba Ittai is akin
to the bond between a single-seat formula-car pilot and his racer.
It is also exemplified by a high-performance sport motorcycle rider
at speed. Jinba Ittai is the essence of Zoom-Zoom.
The
rider-and-horse idiom and the effort to create a car universally
seen as "lots of fun" served as the focal point around which the
original and the all-new Mazda MX-5 were designed and engineered.
While most sports cars aim for specific performance targets—such as
the time required to accelerate to 100 km/h or cornering G provided
by the chassis—Mazda engineers established additional goals to
reinvigorate the lightweight sports car. In essence, this became a
celebration of the simple delights of driving an open roadster. The
"fun" was designed for anyone and any location during sport driving
and daily life.
Mazda’s
emphasis is on the feel of a responsive machine that compliments any
driver. The Mazda MX-5 stresses ideal dynamic balance achieved with
minimal weight and propelled by a small but spirited engine. Factors
of secondary importance in other cars—such as the way the open
cockpit is bathed in sunshine and seasonal aroma of fresh air—top
the Mazda MX-5’s list of major attributes.
Heritage and Evolution of Jinba-Ittai
For Takao
Kijima and his engineering team, the first step was acknowledging
that Jinba Ittai is what made the original Mazda MX-5 so
attractive for sports car enthusiasts and one of Mazda’s greatest
success stories. The second step was using modern engineering
methods developed by Mazda to evolve the iconic Mazda MX-5 into an
all-new, third-generation edition for introduction this year. To
convert the subtle imagery of Jinba Ittai into nuts-and-bolts
reality with a body shell, a drivetrain, and chassis components,
Takao Kijima wielded a tool called Kansei Engineering.
Like
Jinba Ittai, Kansei is difficult to translate into Western
terms. Thoughtful awareness and heightened sensitivity are the
expressions that come closest to defining Kansei. It’s the
realization that the fitness of every constituent part underlies the
goodness of the whole, that the aforementioned synergy between
driver and car can be honed so that it can be felt by anyone who
experiences the vehicle in motion. Another Kansei canon is that
every aspect of design, mechanical function, and dynamic response
ultimately contribute to driving satisfaction.
So, with
Jinba Ittai as the point of origin and Kansei Engineering as
the navigation tool, Takao Kijima and his dedicated designers and
engineers created an all-new Mazda MX-5 that’s markedly better than,
but not conceptually different from, the original.
At first,
the team thoroughly discussed what should be retained from the
first- and second-generation Mazda MX-5 models, and what to evolve
for the all-new Mazda MX-5. The six key categories, seen below in
what has become known at Mazda as the "fishbone chart", guided the
effort towards the desired "oneness". They are styling
(inside and outside), touching (every aspect concerned with
the tactile sense), listening (dominated by the engine’s
voice but also encompassing wind effects), cornering
(handling dynamics), driving (everything from ride quality to
acceleration response), and braking. The starting point of
the new Mazda MX-5 was this ‘Fishbone chart’.
Jinba Ittai Fishbone
chart
Five
basic requirements were defined by Mazda engineers to realize the
Jinba Ittai concept.
1. That the
car would be as compact and as light as possible while meeting
global safety requirements.
2. That the
cockpit would comfortably accommodate two full-stature occupants
with no wasted space.
3. That the
basic layout would continue with the original’s front-midship
rear-drive configuration with the engine positioned ahead of the
driver but behind the front axle for 50:50 weight distribution.
4. That all
four wheels would be attached by wishbone or multi-link suspension
systems to maximize tyre performance, road grip and dynamic
stability.
5. And that
a power-plant frame would again provide a solid connection between
the engine and rear-mounted differential to sharpen throttle
response.
Minimal Weight as a Virtue
There’s a
natural tendency for curb weight to increase when we try to meet
growing market demands. Realizing that this is contrary to the
Jinba Ittai goal and that extra weight would have a dramatically
negative influence on driving, cornering, and braking performance,
Mazda engineers made every gram count. (In the English measurement
system used in the U.S. and elsewhere, one pound equals 454 grams.)
Their "gram strategy" assessed weight in the smallest possible
increments and carefully scrutinized weight-trimming opportunities.
Other weight-saving tactics were employed as well. Advanced
technology was applied where practical to achieve a light and rigid
unibody design using materials that offered higher strength and
lighter weight.
In its
final form, the new Mazda MX-5 is more powerful, more capable, more
comfortable, and more useful. It offers several new features and
further improves occupant protection from collision injury. Yet,
thanks to Kansei Engineering efforts, curb weight has only increased
by approximately 10 kg (22 pounds).
While
saving weight is a top priority for achieving Jinba Ittai,
other concerns were the stiffness of the unibody structure, the
height of the car’s centre of gravity, 50:50 weight distribution and
the vehicle’s moment of inertia about the vertical (yaw) axis. (A
lower yaw moment of inertia quickens the vehicle’s responsiveness to
the driver’s steering commands.) Each of these parameters strongly
influenced the new Mazda MX-5’s overall fun-to-drive
characteristics.
A stiff
body structure is an essential ingredient in the feeling of oneness
between the driver and the car. Thanks to shrewd analysis and the
application of advanced materials such as ultra-high-tension steel,
the new unibody delivers an increase of 22 percent for flexural
stiffness and 47 percent for torsional rigidity compared to the
previous-generation Mazda MX-5. And moving the engine rearward by
135 mm (5.3 inches) was a major step towards balancing front-to-rear
weight distribution and reducing the yaw moment of inertia.
Delightful Design
Seeing
and touching are critical parts of development, so it was crucial
that the new Mazda MX-5 looks and feels like a spirited sports car.
This is a discipline of large and small details—the relationship of
the wheels to the overall body shape at the grand end of the scale,
down to the way the shift knob rests in the driver’s hand at the
fine end.
The
original Mazda MX-5 thrived for 16 model years with but one major
update. The design of the original 1990 model has been described as
being a classic expression of simple, friendly and fun, for it
carefully celebrated the virtues of compactness and efficiency.
Exterior Design
The new
Mazda MX-5 is clearly the son of its father. Exterior design themes
had to include the "fun" factor as well as "modern styling." To
achieve this, the all-new Mazda MX-5 had to remain approachable and
fun, but had to be updated with modern styling cues to communicate
both the simple functionality of a modern lightweight sports car and
the athletic solidity of a true sports car, both of which remain
obvious Mazda MX-5 design DNA attributes.
The most
notable departure from the previous exterior shape is the
elimination of the classic "Coke bottle" shape of the contours. The
nose and tail are smoothly tapered, as before, but now the surfaces
wrap smoothly between the wheels without narrowing. The functional
benefit of this change is a wider cockpit with additional hip,
shoulder, and elbowroom. In addition, the space needed for side air
bags is available.
The
fender arches of the new Mazda MX-5 are notably more pronounced to
accommodate the substantially wider wheel track dimensions and to
provide a more athletic stance. 17-inch wheels, that are larger and
wider than before, are available to define the corners of the car
consistent with Mazda design DNA. The wide shoulder area of the body
tapers to a narrower sill to lend a light-on-its-feet look.
In
profile, the Mazda MX-5 continues the low, flowing shoulder line
established by the original with side surfaces just below the
shoulder creating prominent highlights between the wheels for a
strong and muscular look.
To
accentuate the tapering shapes at each end of the Mazda MX-5,
headlights and taillights are positioned well inboard of the car’s
corners. So, in spite of modest increases in wheelbase (+65 mm /
+2.6 inches), length (+20 mm / +0.8 inches), width (+40 mm / +1.6
inches), and height (+20 mm / +0.8 inches), a tight, compact visual
image is maintained. (Note: figures based on European model.)
The
high-quality folding soft top is a Z-fold design with one
centrally-located latch handle. In the lowered position, it fits
flush and smooth. The top can be raised or lowered without undue
effort or stretching. A new detachable hard top is also available
(depending on market). Thanks to a canted rear quarter pillar and a
sweeping rear window, the MX-5 detachable hard top has a modern,
aggressive character that will surely extend this car’s appeal in
new directions.
Interior Design
The
interior design themes of the new Mazda MX-5 are simple
functionality and comfortable openness with high-quality
craftsmanship to delight sports car enthusiasts.
A
T-shaped general layout joins the horizontal strength of the
instrument panel to the substantial centre backbone tunnel. Four
round heating and cooling vents help establish a straight reference
line across the front of the cockpit. Piano-black finish provides a
modern high-quality surface for several areas of the interior.
Switches, gauges and driving controls are precisely designed and
carefully positioned for optimum functionality. Five individual
round gauges with metal-look trim fill the instrument cluster.
Highly legible markings and needles are provided and polarized glass
covers maintain legibility even in direct sunlight.
Mazda
designers selected eight exterior colours and three distinctive
interior-trim packages. Base models are equipped with tasteful black
cloth upholstery and a matte-silver metallic finish for the steering
wheel, instrument rims, and door handles. High-grade models offer
two attractive choices: combinations of saddle-tan and black leather
on the seats, instrument panel, and door trim or black leather in a
monotone treatment (depending on market).
Safety
and Comfort
Employing
Mazda’s new-generation sports car architecture that is significantly
stiffer than before provides the base for the new Mazda MX-5’s
safety systems. For the first time the Mazda MX-5 offers side airbag
protection. A two-volume side-impact airbag is positioned inside
each seat backrest. A single inflator simultaneously expands the
torso portion of the airbag and the larger-volume head-protection
airbag. This innovative design is light, compact, and highly
effective at providing collision protection. The new side airbag
feature is available in all markets.
To ensure
comfort for a wider range of drivers, an adjustable steering wheel
and additional movement for seat adjustment have been added to help
drivers with extremely tall or short statures fit the cockpit
perfectly. Storage accommodation is plentiful for a vehicle of this
size. Three compartments are located on the rear wall (one readily
accessible and lockable with room for 10 CDs, two positioned behind
the seat backs). There is a pocket attached to the back of the left
side seat, another one on the passenger’s side of the tunnel, a
bottle holder in the door trim, as well as a covered receptacle for
two beverage containers conveniently located behind the shift lever.
The large glove box can be locked and there’s a small coin box
provided for the driver.
Two
features are designed to enhance comfort with the top down. New
waist-level vents direct warm and cool air throughout the cockpit to
help maintain comfortable cabin temperature on cold and hot days,
making the open-air-driving season longer. A mesh-type air deflector
mounted vertically behind the seats allows some air to enter the
cockpit through its surface, thereby reducing buffeting and top-down
turbulence.
Perfected Powertrains
Engines
A
spirited engine and a wieldy transmission constitute the heart of
any sports car. Two new MZR family engines—a 2.0-litre for all
global markets and an additional 1.8-litre for Europe—power the
all-new Mazda MX-5. These are light and compact and feature
chain-driven double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder,
variable intake valve timing, electronically controlled port fuel
injection, and coil-on-plug ignition. The block, head, and oil pan
are cast aluminium, while cast iron liners provide a durable
bore surface.
Both
engines share a 10.8:1 compression ratio and an 83.1 mm stroke that
is slightly shorter than the length of the piston’s travel in the
previous 1.8-litre engine. The bore in the 2.0-litre engine is 87.5
mm versus 83.0 mm for the 1.8-litre version.
Final
output for each engine will be confirmed as the vehicles go on sale
in key markets. Output for the 1.8-litre is targeted to be 93 kW/
126 PS at 6,500 rpm* with maximum torque of 167 Nm (17.0
kg-m) at 4,500 rpm*. The
2.0-litre European model is targeted to be 118 kW/160 PS at 6,700
rpm* with peak torque of an estimated 188 Nm (19.2kg-m) at 5,000
rpm*. Engine output will differ depending on local requirements.
Throughout the development process, work focused on what Mazda
engineers called "response" and "expansion feel." A lighter
flywheel, a quick response, an electric throttle and a stiff drive
shaft all helped realize the responsive direct feel of the new Mazda
MX-5. The new Mazda MX-5’s engine’s torque curve is held nearly
level at high rpm by major reductions in intake and exhaust
restriction. The result is an engine champing at the bit as it revs
enthusiastically past the point of maximum torque to the redline,
with superior response and direct feel.
Additional attention was paid to intake and exhaust passages. A 57
percent reduction in intake restriction was achieved with a large,
open intake pipe and smooth layout. On the exhaust side, the
pressure loss of the system was reduced by 40 percent thanks to the
use of a high-volume muffler and a dual tail pipe.
In tuning
the Mazda MX-5’s engine sound, a smooth, harmonic note was realized
that increases with throttle opening. Above 5,000 rpm, this becomes
powerfully resonant, consistent with the spirited charge for the
6,700 rpm redline. A throaty 500 Hz sound through the mid-range
reinforces the Mazda MX-5’s feeling of nimble responsiveness.
Transmissions
Mazda’s
newly-developed six-speed manual transmission is available in all
markets. Five-speed manual and advanced six-speed automatic, which
can be manually controlled by the shift lever and by
steering-wheel-mounted paddles, are also lined up (depending on
market).
Sports
car enthusiasts reap a special pleasure from changing gears by a
quick flick of the wrist. To enhance this aspect of the Mazda MX-5
character, the shift lever’s movement was engineered for ultra low
effort and a very short stroke. Triple-cone synchronizers for the
first four gears help reduce engagement forces. In the interests of
efficiency, the 3rd and 4th gear synchros are
located on the counter shaft. The shift rod is supported by
low-friction bushings and lever motion is directed by a guide plate.
A
Truly Entertaining Chassis
Harmonized Driving Dynamics
Achieving
the tightest possible bond between a driver and a sports car is
feasible only if the vehicle responds in a linear, precise, and
highly predictable manner. Mazda engineers invested deep soul
searching on many field trips to agree upon Mazda MX-5’s character
and to identify how to best achieve this lofty goal through chassis
tuning.
Two key
words for the feeling they pursued were precise and nimble.
The goal was for a natural, lively feeling instead of the cold
efficiency of some well-oiled machines. While solid stability is
essential for safe driving, the ideal for the new Mazda MX-5 was to
develop a chassis that is keen to alter speed or direction as
swiftly as the driver changes his mind.
Every
aspect of driver control had to be coordinated with steering,
suspension, brakes, engine, and transmission responses. How the
driver’s seat was configured, the distance to the steering wheel and
shifter, the feeling of the brake pedal, the ability to heel and
toe, all played a significant role in achieving the Jinba Ittai
driving experience. The original MX-5 was quantified and higher
targets of opportunity in all aspects were identified.
Predictable, Lively Handling
Crucial
was developing a light but stiff unibody that serves as the chassis
foundation. A double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear
suspension system with optimized geometry help extract the best the
205/45WR-17 radial tyres have to offer. Aluminium was used for some
chassis parts to minimize unsprung weight. Attaching the rear cross
member directly to the unibody with no rubber isolation enhances
chassis rigidity while reinforcing the feeling of oneness. Careful
tuning of the rack-and-pinion power steering gear yielded low
friction, high linearity, and delightfully smooth steering response.
The net stiffness of the path between the driver’s hands and the
tyre contact patches is increased. Another significant change is a
75 mm (3.0 inches) increase in front track and a 55 mm (2.1 inches)
in rear track, which contribute to improved handling.
The
newly-developed rear suspension is engineered to enhance dynamic
stability by optimizing the positioning of the tyres on the road. To
curb unwanted steering, pitch motion of the body during acceleration
and braking is tightly controlled by the dampers and by anti-dive,
anti-squat geometry. A wheelbase increased by 65 mm (2.6 inches)
also helps balance the stable driving.
Braking
Configuring the braking system for short pedal travel, response
keyed directly to pedal force and a high degree of linearity is also
a means of enhancing the Mazda MX-5’s feeling of oneness. Front
rotors are 20 mm (0.8 inches) larger in diameter for improved
thermal capacity and calipers are 25 percent stiffer. Brake hoses
are less resilient and the power booster is 25.4 mm (1 inch) larger
than before. Thanks to these revisions and improved front-to-rear
balance, stopping distances achieved with the four-wheel
single-piston-caliper disc system are exemplary.
Sixteen
years of success with the original Mazda MX-5 established high
expectations for its successor. Thanks to a deep respect for
Jinba Ittai principles and thoughtful applications of Kansei
Engineering, the all-new Mazda MX-5 is ready to convince sports car
enthusiasts that a new triple-zoom era has begun. The all-new MX-5,
after making its global debut at the 2005 Geneva Auto Show, is
scheduled go on sale in global markets starting in the second half
of calendar year 2005. Zoom-Zoom.
1.8L: 93 kW/126 PS at 6,500 rpm
2.0L: 118 kW/160 PS at 6,700 rpm
Max. torque (target)
1.8L: 167 Nm (17.0 kg m) at 4,500 rpm 2.0L: 188 Nm (19.2 kg m) at 5,000 rpm
Bore x stroke
1.8L: 83.0 mm x 83.1 mm (3.3 inches x 3.3 inches)
2.0L: 87.5 mm x 83.1 mm (3.4 inches x 3.3 inches)
Transmission
Type
5-speed MT
6-speed MT
6-speed AT
Steering
Type
Rack and pinion
Suspension
Front/rear
Double wishbone / Multi-link
Brakes
Front/rear
Ventilated disk / Solid disk
Tires
front & rear
205/50R 16
205/45R 17
Wheels
front & rear
16 x 6 1/2J
17 x 7J
*
Subject to homologation
NOTE:
This information reflects preliminary specifications and was correct
at the time of printing. However, Mazda policy is one of continuous
product development. The right is reserved to change these details
at any time; please check with your local Mazda media relations
contact.
All-New,
Third-Generation Mazda MX-5 Roadster to Debut at 2005 Geneva
Motor Show
Upgraded and improved Mazda6 to share center
stage at annual motor show
Leverkusen, 2nd February 2005.The secret is out:
Mazda Motor Corporation will publicly reveal the much anticipated
third generation MX-5 roadster at the 75th annual Geneva
International Motor Show. The all-new two-seater will be shown for
the first time at a VIP event during the evening of February 28 and
will make its public debut at a press conference at the Geneva Show
on March 1. Detailed information and photos will be made available
at that time.
The all-new Mazda MX-5
roadster is just one of the exciting products Mazda has planned for Geneva with the company showcasing its successful line of
new-generation Zoom-Zoom vehicles, including a significantly
upgraded version of the highly successful Mazda6.
Mazda6 was the
company’s first, new-generation Zoom-Zoom product and was launched
into global markets in the spring of 2002. Since then, it has won over 100 automotive awards and been a key component of
Mazda’s recent global success.
“While we’re
excited to finally get the cover off the new MX-5, I think the
entire line of Mazda’s new-generation Zoom-Zoom products deserves
to be center stage,” said Stephen Odell, senior managing executive
officer in charge of Marketing, Sales and Customer Service. “It is particularly gratifying to showcase
the upgraded Mazda6 in Europe,
where it has been so successful. With the upgrade, we have improved
the product in vital areas such as NVH, performance and overall
visual appeal.”
In all, the range of modifications will make a great car even better. The
exterior design has been upgraded to achieve an even stronger, more
athletic road presence. In addition, body rigidity has been improved
for better handling and stability; the engines (including the
diesel) have been modified and combined with new transmissions to
deliver stronger, more environmentally friendly performance;
interior quality has been upgraded and better sound insulation added
for a quieter ride; the option list has been extended to ensure the
popular Mazda6 continues to be a success in Europe, and beyond.
Production of the upgraded and improved Mazda6 will begin in the
summer of 2005.
Details
of both cars will be announced during the Mazda press conference
scheduled to begin at 13:45
in Hall 5, on Tuesday,
1 March 2005
Mazda Miata And Truck Are Tops In Quality Study
- Mazda Number One in J.D. Power Associates’ IQS - IRVINE,
Calif., May 7, 2003 – Two Mazda vehicles – the Mazda MX-5 Miata two-seat sportscar and compact pickup Truck
– were awarded Highest Initial Quality in their respective
categories in yesterday’s announcement of J.D. Power and
Associates’ Initial Quality Study. The study measures problems per
100 vehicles as reported by vehicle owners over the first 90 days of
ownership.
Also judged well by customers in the Study was the MAZDA6
sport sedan. The all-new car, which has been reporting
month-over-month sales increases since arriving at dealers in
November of last year, and has launched to strong media acclaim,
registered the highest initial quality of any Mazda vehicle in its
launch year. As part of a new generation of Mazdas, the MAZDA6
outscored some of its competitors traditionally known for their
product quality.
“We’re proud that our customers have recognized the quality
that Mazda builds into every one of our vehicles,” said John
Mendel, executive vice president and chief operating officer of
Mazda North American Operations. “Today’s cars and trucks are
the very best the world has ever seen, and the quality gap between
brands will continue to shrink.”
All Mazda vehicles are covered by a comprehensive
four-year/50,000-mile warranty that covers every part on the vehicle
except those subject to normal wear. In addition, all Mazdas are
covered by a five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.
Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and
marketing, customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in
the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more
than 700 dealerships nationwide.
Feb 12, 200310:00
ET
Two
Limited-Production Miatas Blow Into Windy City
- Shinsen and Special Edition Mazda
Miatas Debut at Chicago Auto Show -
CHICAGO, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North
American Operations today unveiled two limited-production
versions of its popular two-door roadster, the Mazda Miata, at
the Chicago Auto Show. The Shinsen Version and Special Edition
Miata pay tribute to the traditional MX-5 Miata but heat
things up with extra-cool accoutrements. The fresh, new
Shinsen Version costs $23,105 and the Special Edition Miata
retails for $26,030. Only 1,500 units of each model are being
produced and both will be available in dealerships in
February.
The
limited-production Special Edition (blue) and Shinsen Version
(gray) Mazda Miatas were debuted today at the Chicago Auto
Show. Only 1,500 units of each vehicle will be produced.
The Shinsen Version, which derives its name from the
Japanese term for "new and fresh," sports new
interior treatments and a special Titanium Gray Metallic
exterior. The Shinsen turns heads with a dramatic dark-blue
cloth top and matching dark-blue cloth bucket seats. A
two-tone color-keyed leather-wrapped shift knob, dark-blue
door inserts, embroidered floor mats, a Convenience Package
(tweeters, power door locks, cruise control, remote keyless
entry) and aluminum interior trim pieces round out the
"fresh" interior.
Sporting the same 1.8-liter DOHC powerplant as the Miata,
the Shinsen Version puts 142 horses to the pavement via a
five-speed manual transmission and sorts it out through a
Tochigi-Fuji limited slip differential.
Equally exciting is the Special Edition Miata. Mazda
started with the Miata LS and added exterior and interior
touches to create a new Special Edition model. Its striking
Strato Blue Mica exterior paint scheme, gray cloth top and
gray leather-trimmed bucket seats turn this sporty roadster
into a hot little number on the street. Custom-embroidered
floor mats underscore the interior while uniquely styled
16-inch alloy wheels with wheel locks and a chrome fuel door
draw looks from the outside.
A six-speed manual transmission, leather-wrapped hand
brake, aluminum scuff plates, Bose(R) in-dash six-disc CD
changer and aluminum pedals and footrest are standard
equipment. Buyers will be presented with a Numbered
Certificate of Authenticity, as well as a Special Edition
Miata gift set that includes a backpack/cooler combo, Special
Edition blanket, two brushed cotton baseball caps and game
set. A variety of options -- from automatic transmissions to
body kit packages -- are available for each model as well.
Like all Mazda models, the Special Edition and Shinsen
Version Miatas come with a four-year roadside assistance
program. With a call to a toll-free number, Miata owners can
access roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
throughout the United States and Canada. For all 2003 Mazda
vehicles, the company will provide a free loaner car in the
event a warrantable condition requires alternative
transportation.
The Shinsen and Special Edition Miatas are covered by a
comprehensive four-year/50,000-mile warranty that covers every
part on the vehicle except those subject to normal wear. In
addition, both vehicles are covered by a
five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.
Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the
sales and marketing, customer parts and services support of
Mazda vehicles in the United States.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700
dealerships nationwide.
CONTACT: Jeremy Barnes of Mazda North American Operations,
+1-949-727-6844, or Chaz Abbott of Mazda Information Bureau,
+1-800-248-0459,
or +1-949-223-2307
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