2016 Miata

[Tony Alonso]

You make some good points, thanks for the even tempered response.

I use the term failed because of what other manufacturers (including Ford themselves) are doing to new vehicles at the same time period. I only use the Miata as a comparison because of the sheer amount of weight it lost. That's something like a 9% decrease. If the 2015 lost that over the S197... well we can all imagine that world.

If you read a lot of the common complaints in general you'll see weight, size, and now even mileage. If Ford could have trimmed 100 pounds it would have most likely come from a slight downsizing, which would have also helped the other categories. A 2015 that lost even just a few inches in length and 100 pounds in all forms would almost certainly have matched the EPA numbers of the outgoing model (even though we know what's on the sticker isn't official, but it probably is). I could go on but I think you get the point.

If it has been my show, I might have sought a 2" decrease in the wheelbase, but I lay you a bet that would have changed so many things between manufacturing, interior space, the style itself, that the Mustang would have looked a lot different.

Definitely understand your point. For myself as a consumer, however, I probably would have noticed that space shrinkage and been bummed about it! I got spoiled when I moved from my daily driver '03 Mach 1 to a daily driver '07 GT. Of course, I also had to get used to the larger size in terms of driver sightlines too.

I am eager to see if I actually can fit in the new Miata or not. I loved my drive in the original generation - great shifter and handling feel.

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[Aipaloovik]

If it has been my show, I might have sought a 2" decrease in the wheelbase, but I lay you a bet that would have changed so many things between manufacturing, interior space, the style itself, that the Mustang would have looked a lot different.

My understanding, and I can't recall where I read it exactly, is that was fully Ford's initial intention. They wanted a smaller car to better compete in Europe based on their smaller roads. What they found in the research phase was that Europeans didn't want a smaller Mustang, they wanted the Mustang as it is. They didn't want the i4 EcoBoost in a smaller car called a Mustang, they wanted a big V8 muscle car. So Ford left the size as it was and gave up on some of the weight and fuel savings goals.

Not 100% sure where I read it. I believe it may have been an autoblog interview some time ago, but don't hold me to that source. Maybe I dreamed it in an "I must defend the car I love" moment.

A little more on topic, I love the new bodywork on the Miata. I had a 2006 NC that was a true joy to drive. If I could get away without back seats, this would be very tough competition for the Mustang.

 

[Wildcat]

A huge set of high res pics here at Autoblog:

Miata pics

 

[Wildcat]

2200lbs, Mazda, you know just what I like. I hope this comes out soon.

Anyone hear any engine specs?

No specs. They're holding back on those. Most people think a 2.0 Skyactiv motor.

I hope they give it a power bump from the current model. It doesn't need a lot, but if it's less than 180 I'll be disappointed. These cars push 30K with some goodies, and when they get that pricey other options come into play.

 

[likeaboss]

A huge set of high res pics here at Autoblog:

Miata pics

Those are some great pics. The car looks really good but I'm sure at 6'4" I won't fit in it.

 

[OppoLock]

There's a good reason as to why it lost 220+ pounds (only thing we have to go off of is a reported 100kg+ weight reduction). We haven't even confirmed if that's US spec either... anyone remember the Alfa 4C?

ND Miata specs
Length: 154.1" (3915mm) -4.2in
Width: 68.1" (1730mm) +0.4in
Height: 48.62" (1235mm) -0.78in
Wheelbase: 91.1" (2315mm) -0.6

NC Miata specs
Length: 158.3" (4,020mm)
Width: 67.7" (1,720mm)
Height: 49.4" (1,255mm)
Wheelbase: 91.7" (2,329mm)
*specs from Wiki

It lost a good deal in length, with only a small impact on wheelbase. Here's the supposed issue with the S550: that wheelbase is needed in order to have some semblance of practical interior dimensions. The Mustang has always been a relatively practical car in the grand scheme of things. You lop off a solid two feet of wheelbase, axe the back seats, stick a little atmos four-pot and cut the tire sections by nearly 50% while reducing all of the associated running gear like brakes and whatnot, and you'll lose a ton of weight. But you'll also alienate a huge crowd of buyers looking to buy it as their only car.

If I had a DD, the ND Miata would be numero uno on my wishlist to drive. I'm hoping that I can pick one up as a toy in ten years or so.

 

[Wildcat]

Those are some great pics. The car looks really good but I'm sure at 6'4" I won't fit in it.

I think they said the one outside was a non-functioning display only car. I'm glad people took some pics of it because the pictures in natural light help highlight the design better than the dark and artificially lit stage.

Yeah, 6'4" sounds like a tight fit, and the engine is set further back, so I imagine space is at a premium. I'm only a 5'8" guy, so I'm hoping there will be plenty of room for me.

I just would like to know the power numbers. I'd be intrigued if it gets a power bump from the current gen. If they keep it the same or lower it, then I'll pass. Great car, but they're not exactly cheap.

 

[Fenderaddict2]

As reported by Jalopnik, the 3rd gen weighed 2,447 pounds and the new car is somewhere in the realm of 2,200 pounds.



Mazda is claiming they lost over 220 pounds from a 2,400 pound car.



How can anyone see something like this and not think that Ford failed miserably on the 2015 in this regard?

The bones of the S550 did lose weight. But then we got more safety and content than the outgoing car, which let's face it was a bit bare bones and crap.

 

[zen25]

My understanding, and I can't recall where I read it exactly, is that was fully Ford's initial intention. They wanted a smaller car to better compete in Europe based on their smaller roads. What they found in the research phase was that Europeans didn't want a smaller Mustang, they wanted the Mustang as it is. They didn't want the i4 EcoBoost in a smaller car called a Mustang, they wanted a big V8 muscle car. So Ford left the size as it was and gave up on some of the weight and fuel savings goals.

I thought the Europeans are gonna get Focus RS tailor made.

Mustang could not sell in any significant volume outside US.
66K out of around 77K are sold in US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang#cite_note-86
http://www.autonews.com/article/201...ang-repolished-for-2015-with-global-ambitions

Mustang is American car for America.

IRS was great leap, Turbo engines are good, a smaller Mustang should have been another leap.

 

[Swoope]

wow,
love mazdas. worst roll out ever..

beers

 

[DivineStrike]

Now there is no way i would get the FRS over this. Even w/ a mere 180hp it should beat it. 2200 lbs is amazing, that's mr2 spyder territory. Might consider this car in a few years when I want to build a track toy. Considerations so far: Mr2 Spyder, mk1 focus based open wheeled roadster, a Miata based roadster, and now the new miata.

 

[Wildcat]

wow,
love mazdas. worst roll out ever..

beers

It was awful. The U.S. rollout was behind the Spain and Japan rollouts thanks to the lead designer making some long winded speech, and the techno music they were playing when it started sounded like something out of a porno.

Oh, and Duran Duran = gun in mouth. They sounded pretty terrible, and it seems like the cameramen were more interested in showing them than showing the car.

 

[Dirk McGurck]

This is the new S2000 that Honda will never make. I like the look of it, I like the size and weight. Give it at least 200HP and it'll be a great little daily driver. I also want to see the hardtop, but it sounds like it's going to be a couple years before that happens.

 

[fionic]

This is the new S2000 that Honda will never make. I like the look of it, I like the size and weight. Give it at least 200HP and it'll be a great little daily driver. I also want to see the hardtop, but it sounds like it's going to be a couple years before that happens.

will probably never happen from factory :(

At least there will be aftermarket hardtops.

 

[Dirk McGurck]

I more meant hardtop convertible. Buy I would buy a coupe over a roadster any day.

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