Mazda Miata
From Freepedia
| Mazda MX-5/Miata | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Mazda |
| Class: | sports car |
| Production: | 1989 – present |
| Body Styles: | FR roadster |
| NA | |
| Image:Mazda Miata 1991 front view with added racing stripe.jpg | |
| Production: | 1989 – 1998 |
| Engines: | 1.6 L B6P (1989-1998) 1.8 L BP (1994-1998) |
| NB | |
| Image:2003 Mazda Miata LS with hardtop.jpg | |
| Production: | 1998 – 2005 |
| Engines: | 1.8 L BP-4W (1998-2000) 1.8 L BP-Z3 (2001+) 1.8 L BPT (Mazdaspeed) |
| NC | |
| Production: | 2006 – |
| Engines: | 2.0 L MZR I4 |
| This article is part of the Mazda automobile series. | |
The Mazda Miata is a popular convertible sports car. It is also known as the Mazda MX-5 in Australia and Europe and the Eunos Roadster in Japan. The car is manufactured in Hiroshima, Japan. It was initially unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on 10 February, 1989. The Miata is the world's best-selling sports car, with over 700,000 cars produced and sold between February 1989 and February 2002.
Contents |
Overview
The Miata was designed to be a basic roadster with a minimum of unnecessary weight and complexity. The first Miata was designed in California, USA and Worthing, England. Its design is inspired by, some say copied from, the Lotus Elan, a 1960s roadster that is widely considered to be one of the best handling sports cars of its day.
The Miata has a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and 4-wheel independent double wishbone suspension. It comes with a 1.6 L, 1.8 L or 2.0 L longitudinally mounted engine coupled to a manual transmission (an automatic transmission is available, though rare).
The body is a conventional, but very light, unibody shell. Miatas also incorporate a unique trusswork called the Powerplant Frame (PPF) which connects the engine to the differential, minimizing flex and creating a tight, responsive feel. Many Miatas feature limited slip differentials and antilock brakes, but none have traction control.
With a 50:50 front/rear weight balance (when measured with an average weight driver and a 2/3 full gas tank), the car has a very neutral handling, which makes it easy to drive for the beginner, and fun for the advanced driver. Inducing oversteer is easy and well controllable. The Miata is popular in amateur and stock racing events, particularly the Sports Car Club of America's Solo-II autocross series.
Since production began, over 700,000 Miatas have been made, leading the Guinness Book of Records to name it the world's best-selling sports car on February 13, 2002.
Generation 1 (NA)
The original MX-5 Miata (now called the NA model) was introduced in 1989 as a 1990 model car. It was produced for almost two calendar years, and was incredibly successful worldwide, making the 1990 MX-5 Miata one of the highest-volume sports cars ever made. The original Miata came with a 1.6 L inline four-cylinder engine, producing 90 Kw (120 Bhp). The first special edition Miata came in 1991 with the British Racing Green Limited Edition. There was no special edition per-se for 1992, though the black and yellow colors were new and rare. The 1993 Limited Edition was black with a red leather interior. Without options, the NA weighed 940 kilograms.
In Japan, the car was not badged as a Mazda, as the company was experimenting with the creation of different brands for deluxe models, similar to Nissan's Infiniti and Toyota's Lexus. Instead, the Mazda MX-5 was called the Eunos Roadster in its own market.
Generation 1.5
The MX-5 Miata was freshened for 1994 with the introduction of a more powerful 1.8 L BP engine, dual airbags, a geared, torque-sensing limited slip differential, and other options. The new engine produced 98 Kw (130 Bhp) and the standard model weighed 990 kilograms.
There were a number of trim levels and special editions available. The standard model was sometimes called the "A Package". A "B Package" added some options, while the "C Package" included a tan interior and top and leather seats. A special "R Package" was introduced for racing, and the annual special editions were formalized as "M Editions". These included all of the luxury options from the C package as well as special paint and, sometimes, special wheels. This generation was phased out in the 1997 model year, with the final 1500 Mark-1 Miatas produced being the "STO" versions.
Generation 2 (NB)
In 1998, Mazda released the updated model year 1999 MX-5 Miata. This model is known as the NB (referring to the model number printed on the VIN plate) or Mark 2. With its introduction, the earlier MX-5 Miata became known as the NA or Mark 1. The NB features a more-powerful engine and more modern styling cues borrowed from the aggressive RX-7. The BP-4W engine remained at 1.8 L but received several minor updates. The engine compression ratio was raised from 9.0:1 to 9.5:1 by adding slightly domed pistons. The intake cam was changed to a solid lifter design with a stronger cam. The intake runners in the head were straightened and the intake manifold was mounted higher up. The new intake manifold received a set of flappers that could uncover a resonance chamber - this was needed fix a dead spot in the torque curve that the new head created. Power output of the new engine is quoted at 105Kw (140Bhp). Gen 2 heads are mechanically compatible with earlier 1.8 years and are desirable for the increased flow they bring to performance applications. Although almost all parts of the car were different, the most notable changes were the headlights: The first model's retractable headlights had been exchanged for fixed ones. In Japan, the Eunos was dropped, as it was considered a commercial failure, but the successful Roadster was incorporated into the Mazda brand. With the minimum of options, the NB weighed 1000 kilograms.
Generation 2.5
In 2001, a facelift to the NB was released. There were some minor design changes, with the 18 July 2000 press release announcing the new model describing the changes as "resulting in an even sportier and more forceful look". Some cockpit elements were also changed, with instrument panel guages having a white face and red numbers. The seats were upgraded also, incorporating more support in the side areas. A 6-speed transmission became available for the top models, as well as 16 in (406 mm) rims with 205/45 low-profile tyres and larger brakes (10.6 inch diameter at the front and 10.9 inch at the rear). The body was strengthened, gaining 16% in bending rigidity and 22% in tortional rigidity. With the minimum of options the 2001 model weighed 1065 kilograms.
The 1.8 L BP-Z3 engine was slightly modified and now featured variable valve timing on the intake camshaft. The intake and exhaust system also received a minor upgrade. These modifications resulted in power output of 117Kw (155 Bhp) for models delivered in Japan and Australia. The same engine produced 110Kw (146 Bhp) in vehicles sold in the United States and Europe (likely due to more restrictive emission standards). In the United States, Mazda erroneously quoted the power figure for the Japanese and Australian model in early catalogues. Car and Driver magazine and numerous owners confirmed the missing power, and Mazda was forced to buy back a number of 2001 cars due to these misleading power claims. Owners who did not take up the buy back offer were offered an apology and free servicing for the warranty period.
Mazdaspeed MX-5
2004 saw the introduction of the turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5. It featured a light-pressure turbo BPT engine for 178 hp rather than the S-VT BP-Z3. Other features include a special suspension, Racing Hart 17 inch wheels, and special interior trim.
Generation 3 (NC)
Production of the next-generation Mazda MX-5 (NC) began in May, 2005 and went on sale in August, for the 2006 model year. It will use Mazda's 16 Valve, 2.0 L MZR I4 engine, producing 170 hp JIS (128 kW) and 190 Nm (140 ft.lbf). Despite the engine upgrade, impressive engineering allows the car to maintain a perfect 50-50 weight distribution. 5-speed and 6-speed manual transmissions are offered as well as a 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
Despite internet rumors, the 3rd generation shares no structural components with the RX-8. The frame was developed specifically for the new Miata and the new Miata only. Suspension has been changed from a 4 wheel double-wishbone suspension to a smoother front-wishbone rear-multilink setup and technologies like traction control and Dynamic Stability control have been added to increase drivability.
The styling harkens back to the original design while adopting a clean, more muscular profile reminiscent of the Audi TT. Some design elements have been adopted to reinforce the family relationship with the RX-8. Unlike the NA to NB update, which was mostly a nose/tail/interior change, there are substantial differences in almost every body panel, so current accessories will not work with the new design.
A Car and Driver test revealed a 0-60 MPH time of 6.5 seconds for the NC.
Awards
The Miata has been on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list six times: The NA from its introduction in 1990 through 1992; and the NB on its introduction in 1998 as well as 1999 and 2001. The NA was also Wheels Magazine's Car of the Year for 1989.
In the November 2004 edition of Sports Car International magazine, the Miata was chosen as the best sports car of the 1990s. In the March 2005 edition of the same magazine, the six-decade countdown culminated in the "Ten Best Sports Cars of All Time" issue, of which the Miata secured the number 10 spot, bested only by the likes of exotics and otherwise unobtainable icons of automotive history.
Production figures
Production figures from official Mazda records:
- 1988: 12
- 1989: 45266
- 1990: 95640
- 1991: 63434
- 1992: 52712
- 1993: 44743
- 1994: 39623
- 1995: 31886
- 1996: 33610
- 1997: 27037
- 1998: 58682
- 1999: 44851
- 2000: 47496
See also
- Mazda
- Competitors to the Miata include: Toyota MR2, BMW Z3 and MG F
References
- Long, B. MX-5 Miata - The full story of the world's favourite sportscar, Veloce Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-903706-21-1
- Carey, J. (March, 2005). "New Mazda MX-5". Wheels (Australia), p. 48.
External links
- Car and Driver Miata Microsite
- http://www.mx-5.com/
- http://www.miata.net/
- Category at ODP
- Team Miata - Commercial website, but has information on new owner tips, MX-5 history, and techincal details.
Mazda Vehicles Platforms Engines Category | () | |
| Current: | ||
| Cars: | Verisa Demio/Mazda2 Axela/Mazda3 Atenza/Mazda6 Roadster/MX-5/Miata RX-8 | |
| Vans/SUVs: | Bongo/Friendee Premacy/Mazda5 Tribute CX-7 MPV | |
| Trucks: | B-Series/Proceed/Truck E-Series/Bongo T-Series/Titan | |
| Keicars: | Spiano AZ-Offroad Scrum Laputa AZ-Wagon Carol | |
| Historic: | ||
| Export: | GLC 323/Protegé MX-3 MX-6 626 Millenia 929 B-Series Navajo | |
| Japan: | 121 Familia Capella Luce Cosmo Savanna Proceed | |
| RX: | RX-2 RX-3 RX-4 RX-5 Roadpacer RX-7 REPU | |
