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DRIVING: that's what it's ALL ABOUT! A blog and website for automotive driving enthusiasts, featuring my interests as I see them: news and opinion about manufacturers of interest, significant enthusiast cars, and driving them hard and well.
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Freshened Miata MX-5 for 2009
A freshened MX-5 Miata for 2009 was announced this week at the Paris show. This is the same basic car as has been on the market for the past 4 years, with minor improvements and a new nose and tail. A notable improvement is the Recaro seat option - which hopefully will make it to North America (Federal regulations permitting). The rest of the changes fall under the heading of "continuous improvement" in the best Japanese tradition.
However - the Miata still doesn't have a real engine: while the manual transmission version finally receives a forged crankshaft this year (yikes, imagine that!>, the engine still doesn't make any real power. And Mazda's recent excuse as to why the 2.3 Turbo engine (the location of the high-pressure pump for the direct injection system would need to be moved) won't be offered is a really lousy lie. It won't be offered because it would then put the RX-8 in the grave, and they can't have that with the flagship. Especially with yet another new oil burner revised rotary engine coming in a couple of years (does anybody really care?). So the Miata will stay as it is: a great chassis... with a ho-hum engine.
Mazda Press Release follows:
1
The Freshened Mazda MX-5
The facelift MX-5 embodies the purest form of Zoom-Zoom. With evolved sensory
qualities, it continues to deliver the unchanging value of "Jinba-Ittai"despite the
changing world. Marking its 20th anniversary next year, the new MX-5 offers a "lots of
fun" driving experience underpinned by the untiring passion of Mazda’s engineers
since 1989.
Updates at a Glance
Newly evolved look that’s functional and instantly recognizable, as Mazda, and as MX-5
•
Exterior styling with greater dynamism & athleticism, which contributes to superior aerodynamics
•
Strongly emphasized a premium identity in the look and feel of the Roadster Coupe
More enhanced “Fun” to enable the driver to enjoy the full potential of the engine performance
•
500 rpm higher rev limit and the raised engine speed at max power
•
Introduced a forged crankshaft, fully floating pistons and newly designed valve springs
•
Sportier engine sound that responds more crisply to accelerator inputs
•
Surge tank rigidity optimization, new forged crankshaft and ISE , Induction Sound Enhancer (for 6MT)
Smoother shifting feel with brisk and high-quality steering feel
•
With 6MT, the meshing surfaces of the 1st–4th triple-cone synchronizers are now
carbon coated, and the 3rd–4th synchronizer diameter has been increased.
•
Linear & sporty 6AT that’s newly available for Europe incorporates two new control
technologies, Direct Activematic (DAM) and Active Adaptive Shift (AAS).
•
A lower front roll centre and retuned suspension make the car’s response to steering
inputs more linear and enable the driver to precisely trace desired lines. The yaw and
roll also feel more natural, producing a higher-quality ride
2
Improved quietness
•
Roadster Coupe cockpit road noise with the roof closed is 2.1dB lower than before.
Improvements include urethane filling in the front suspension member and damping
material in the front roof section.
•
Quietness is further promoted in the Roadster Coupe and soft-top version by stiffer
door modules and by newly added reinforcements on the No. 2 crossmember.
Environmental, safety and conformability
•
More convenient features, ie., improved Bose®sound system, 5 step adjustable seat
heater, etc.
•
Average fuel consumption and outside air temperature display is equipped
•
More models featuring DSC as standard equipment
All information in this press copy is based on the specifications of the freshened Mazda MX-5
at the time of writing. Mazda’s product development is ongoing, so certain details of the vehicle
may change. For confirmation, please contact the nearest Mazda public relations
representative.
3
Introduction: Evolution Focused on Pure
Jinba Ittai Enjoyment
At the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Mazda is unveiling the freshened Mazda MX-5 and Mazda
MX-5 Roadster Coupe.* Both versions of the facelifted MX-5 been refined for an even purer
experience of
Jinba Ittai —the unique feeling of oneness between driver and car that has
distinguished the MX-5 since its inception.
Since launching the first-generation MX-5 in 1989, Mazda has stuck to the concept that driving
enjoyment is the key value offered by the MX-5. Through two full redesigns and countless
improvements, we’ve continued to heighten and improve the MX-5’s
Jinba Ittai -focused “lots of
fun” character. We expanded the MX-5’s appeal to an even broader audience in 2006 with the
launch of the MX-5 Roadster Coupe. As demands for safety and environmental compatibility
have grown amid major changes in the automotive environment, we’ve continued to
incorporate new technologies and innovations without compromising the MX-5’s inherent
lightness.
With the latest MX-5 facelift, we set out to combine an enhanced
Jinba Ittai feeling with
revisions that would further cement the MX-5’s reputation as the most enjoyable lightweight
two-seat sports car in the world. With the design, we retained the well-known friendly facial
expression while incorporating elements of Mazda’s latest design themes for a dynamic,
athletic look that embodies the MX-5’s function and purpose as a sports car. With the Roadster
Coupe, we strongly emphasized a premium identity in the look and feel of the body and cabin.
With regard to dynamic performance, we enhanced characteristics that appeal to the
emotions yet cannot be expressed in terms of catalogue specifications. For example, we
optimized the engine potential for greater enjoyment, created a sportier engine sound that
responds more crisply to accelerator inputs, and realized a brisk, high-quality steering feel that
gives a more linear response to movements of the steering wheel. And at the same time, we
enhanced the MX-5 in terms of comfort, convenience, fuel economy, and safety.
MX-5 Programme Manager Takao Kijima says: “Although the kind of driving experience that
people find enjoyable in a lightweight sports car never really changes, maintaining it in a
vehicle that must also meet the continually changing demands of society is a daily challenge
for Mazda engineers, and a particularly vital mission with the MX-5. Speaking as the engineer
in charge of MX-5 development, I’m convinced that the MX-5 is—and will remain—more
enjoyable than any competing car. I’m delighted that the new MX-5 and the newly evolved
Jinba Ittai
fun that it offers will soon be thrilling customers who already embrace the MX-5
philosophy, and those who are about to encounter the MX-5 for the first time.”
4
*The version with a retractable hard top has various names according to market. In Europe, it’s
called the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe. In North America, it’s called the Mazda MX-5 Power
Retractable Hard Top. And in Japan, it’s called the Mazda Roadster Power Retractable Hard
Top.
Heritage
Worldwide Acclaim and More than 850,000 Units of Production
The MX-5 has enjoyed worldwide popularity since its first-generation debut in 1989. Indeed, it
is recognized by
Guinness World Records as the world’s highest-selling two-seat convertible
sports car in history. Since the launch of the third-generation model, the MX-5 has won more
than 175 accolades including the 2005–2006 Japan Car of the Year award;
Wheels
magazine’s 2005 Car of the Year award;
Top Gear magazine’s Roadster of the Year 2005
award; a place in
Car and Driver magazine’s 2006 Ten Best Cars list; and selection by
Consumer Reports
as the best 2008 car in the “fun to drive” category. Aggregate MX-5
production stood at 852,682 units at the end of July 2008, which looks set to be recognized
again by
Guinness World Records as the highest-ever production volume for a two-seat
convertible sports car.
MX-5’s “Lots of Fun” Character
The “lots of fun” character conceived by Mazda for the MX-5 encompasses several kinds of
fun: the fun of driving it, the fun of seeing its great styling, the fun of personalizing it, the fun of
using it to get together with friends, and the fun of owning and using the MX-5 on a day-to-day
basis. And underpinning this “lots of fun” character is the feeling that Mazda calls
Jinba Ittai .
An Uncompromising Focus on Lightness
In the third-generation MX-5’s development, Mazda engineers pursued the ‘gram’ strategy (a
programme of weight minimization on a component-by-component basis), used cutting-edge
technologies to make the body light and rigid, and adopted materials that were stronger and
lighter than those used in the second-generation MX-5. As a result, they were able to limit the
overall weight increase to just 10 kg (22 lb) and enhance performance at the same time. With
the latest facelift, the development team adopted new mechanicals and equipment throughout
the MX-5 but again kept the overall weight increase to an absolute minimum. The MX-5’s ideal
50:50 front/rear weight distribution and the reduced yaw-inertia moment achieved by Mazda
with the third-generation MX-5 are totally uncompromised.
5
Design
A Newly Evolved Look that’s Functional and Instantly Recognizable
Design and craftsmanship, which are encompassed, respectively, by the “styling” and
“touching” categories in the fishbone chart, are particularly crucial to a sports car since they’re
the main source of the car’s “fun to own” and “fun to use” characteristics. They must
complement and underpin the car’s functionality. With the latest MX-5 facelift, the development
team incorporated elements of Mazda’s newest design themes while carefully carrying
forward the simple and instantly recognizable personality that Mazda established with the
first-generation MX-5. The updated exterior styling reflects an evolution toward greater
dynamism and athleticism, and it contributes to superior aerodynamic performance. The
updated interior design realizes significantly enhanced quality and a more functional,
driver-friendly sports-car cockpit.
Exterior Design: A Fusion of New Mazda Elements and an Unmistakable MX-5 Look
The front grille has been enlarged and changed from an oval shape to the five-point grille that
forms part of the well-known Mazda family face. Combined with tautly styled headlights and
flowing fog-lamp bezels, the new grille creates a refined and athletic expression. To preserve
the character that has always been a hallmark of the MX-5, the five points of the grille are
slightly rounded. Also, the new shape of the front bumper, with corners that extend downwards,
enhances the dynamic look and improves the aerodynamics.
Viewed from the side, newly designed side sills form a character line that flows to the rear
bumper in a way that emphasizes speed and stability. The reshaped side sills deflect air away
from the rear wheels, and thereby contribute to superior aerodynamic performance.
The rear bumper has a new design that makes the rear look wider, sportier, and more
integrated into the body. The rear combination lamps inherit the traditional MX-5 elliptical motif,
and protrude further outboard for greater aerodynamic efficiency.
The Roadster Coupe’s more Upscale Identity
The MX-5 Roadster Coupe, which features a groundbreaking powered roof system, also
incorporates several design changes that further emphasize its more upscale identity and
distinguish it from the soft-top version.
•
Front grille: Whereas the soft-top version has a fin-type grille, the Roadster Coupe has a
mesh grille that is framed by a chrome ring.
6
•
Headlamp inner bezels: The headlamp inner bezels are painted silver on the soft-top
version, but have a chrome finish on the Roadster Coupe.
•
Fog-lamp inner bezels: The fog lamp inner bezels are black on the soft-top version, but
are painted silver on the Roadster Coupe.
•
Outer door handles: The outer door handles are body-coloured on the soft-top version,
but have a chrome finish on the Roadster Coupe.
•
High-mounted stop lamp: The high-mounted stop lamp has a red lens on the soft-top
version, but a clear lens on the Roadster Coupe.
New Wheel Designs
The MX-5 is available with 16-inch and 17-inch aluminium wheels. The 16-inch wheels have
five sets of twin spokes for a lightweight look. The 17-inch wheels have 10 twisted spokes for a
stronger impression of power and dynamism.
Interior Design: Higher Than Ever Quality and Driver-Friendliness
The interior design delivers the MX-5’s traditional combination of comfortable snugness below
shoulder level and openness above shoulder level. It also reflects customer feedback in the
form of enhanced quality and driver-friendly features.
The decorative surfaces on the instrument panel have been changed from glossy piano black
to dark silver, which has a subtler, higher-quality look befitting a sports car. The meters have
new graphics for higher legibility. The climate-control dials on the centre stack have each been
given a silver-coloured ring for a higher-quality look. A protrusion has been eliminated from the
outer surface of each door pocket to create more leg space. And the door and centre-console
armrests have each been given a soft pad for a better feel.
Recaro seats designed exclusively for the MX-5 are available in certain regions. They are
upholstered in leather and perforated Alcantara® for a sporty look, and they combine excellent
support with easy ingress and egress.
Colour Variations
The MX-5 for Europe has a lineup of seven body colours including two new choices: Aluminium
Metallic (a mix of sportiness and refinement) and Metropolitan Grey Mica. The soft top is black.
Non-Recaro seats in the MX-5 for Europe are upholstered with black fabric or with black or
Dune Beige (not available in Europe) leather depending on grade. The leather and perforated
Alcantara® on the Recaro seats have a black-based two-tone colour scheme. The full lineup of
body colours is as follows:
7
Aluminium Metallic (new)
Metropolitan Grey Mica (new)
Sunflower Yellow (new; not available in Europe)
Copper Red Mica
Stormy Blue Mica
True Red
Brilliant Black
Marble White (soft-top version only)
*Alcantara® is a Registered Trademark owned by Alcantara S.p.A
Dynamic Performance
Evolved
Jinba Ittai for Enhanced Fun-To-Drive
The
Jinba Ittai feeling on which Mazda has always focused with the MX-5 defines the kind of
spontaneous car-and-driver interaction that anyone can experience whether they’re driving the
MX-5 in town, on twisty roads, or on an open highway. With the latest facelift, Mazda engineers
evolved the attributes in the “driving”, “cornering”, “braking”, and “listening” categories in the
fishbone chart to realize performance that lets drivers enjoy the feeling of oneness with the car
to an even greater degree.
A 500 rpm Higher Rev Limit Maximizes Engine Potential for Greater Enjoyment
The powertrain has been enhanced to enable the driver to enjoy the full potential of the
engine’s performance (a key “fun to drive” aspect of the MX-5). Specifically, the speed at which
the engine delivers maximum power has been raised from 6,700 rpm to 7,000 rpm (2.0-litre
M/T version) and the rev limit has been raised from 7,000 rpm to 7,500 rpm (all 2.0-litre
versions). Without these enhancements, the engine feels smooth and linear right up to the rev
limit, even with the throttle wide open. With them, however, the driver can really experience the
sensation of extracting every single horsepower out of the engine (the enhancements
described here apply to the 2.0-litre grades with a manual transmission). The crucial 500 rpm
increase in the rev limit is enabled by greater precision in the engine, namely: a forged
crankshaft (this ensures the required rigidity at high engine speeds), fully floating pistons and
newly designed valve springs.
8
A Sportier Engine Sound that Responds More Crisply to Accelerator Inputs
The engine sound (a key element in the “listening” category of the MX-5 fishbone chart) is a big
part of the sports car experience. With the latest facelift, Mazda engineers made the great
MX-5 engine sound even better without causing aural discomfort for people outside the car.
Notably, they increased the rigidity of the plastic surge tank in the intake manifold. The
optimized surge tank combines with the new forged crankshaft to realize a clearer engine
sound throughout the rev range. In vehicles with the six-speed manual transmission, the
engineers also adopted a newly developed device called an Induction Sound Enhancer (ISE).
This amplifies the pulses that occur when an accelerator input opens the throttle valve to
increase air flow into the engine, thereby delivering a more exciting sound to the cockpit. The
intake sound created by the ISE feels synchronized with the driver’s accelerator inputs, so the
driver enjoys a crisp, thrilling engine sound even when using the accelerator pedal gently to
adjust the revs for a downshift.
Newly Evolved and Refined Transmissions
With the six-speed manual transmission, the meshing surfaces of the 1st–4th triple-cone
synchronizers are now carbon coated, and the 3rd–4th synchronizer diameter has been
increased. These improvements enable smoother shifts up to the engine’s heightened rev limit
of 7,500 rpm.
A six-speed Activematic automatic transmission that’s newly available with the MX-5 for
Europe incorporates two new control technologies. One is Direct Activematic (DAM), which
allows the driver to quickly change gears using paddles on the steering wheel while still driving
in the “D” range. It was developed to enable quick downshifts for three common situations:
decelerating using engine braking on a downhill road; accelerating after decelerating into a
corner; and overtaking another vehicle. (The driver does not need to select the “M” range
before shifting down.) Since Direct Activematic enables engine braking and acceleration more
quickly and easily, it makes driving easier and more fun. The other new technology is Active
Adaptive Shift (AAS), by means of which the transmission control system evaluates the driving
situation from factors such as the road’s gradient and twistiness and the accelerator and brake
inputs. When the system recognizes enthusiastic driving, it actively promotes upshifts and
downshifts to realize a linear and sporty response that matches the driver’s intentions.
Handling that Further Heightens the
Jinba Ittai Feeling
The MX-5 development team also heightened the
Jinba Ittai feeling by comprehensively
refining attributes in the category that’s called “cornering” on the fishbone chart. A key
refinement was made to the front suspension knuckles. The ball joints’ vertical pivot position
9
was changed to reduce the height of the front roll centre by 26 mm. This decreased fluctuations
in the vertical loading on the outer wheel during cornering manoeuvres. Consequently, roll
movements caused by steering inputs feel more natural and the car’s response to steering
inputs is more linear. In combination with newly tuned suspension components, the revision
improves the
Jinba Ittai steering feel whereby the driver can precisely trace desired lines. It
also realizes a higher-quality ride by making the yaw and roll feel more natural.
An Athletic Design that Heightens Aerodynamic Performance
To improve handling stability, quietness, and high-speed fuel economy, the MX-5 development
team drew on Mazda’s expertise in incorporating aerodynamic improvements into styling that’s
faithful to a design theme. The main aerodynamic improvements are as follows:
• air guides that protrude downward from the left and right corners of the front bumper
• a cover over the lower opening in the front bumper (Europe-specification vehicles, except
some specific markets)
• protruding rear combination lamps
• wider front tyre deflectors
As a result of these improvements, both the soft-top version and Roadster Coupe have top
class aerodynamics for their class.
Comfort and Utility
A Quieter Ride in the Roadster Coupe
Given the Roadster Coupe’s more upscale positioning, the development team produced a
quieter ride by reducing wheel resonance and adding damping and sound-insulating materials,
such as urethane filling in the front suspension crossmember and damping material in the front
part of the roof. Thanks to these improvements, road noise in the cockpit on a coarse road
surface with the roof closed is 2.1dB lower than before. Quietness is further promoted in the
Roadster Coupe and soft-top version by stiffer door modules and by newly added
reinforcements on the No. 2 crossmember.
New Equipment for Comfort and Convenience
•
Bose ® sound system (optional): New features such as a six channel equalizer (with
separate channels for the woofers and the door-mounted mid-to-high frequency speakers)
achieve clearer, more dynamic sound reproduction.
10
•
AUX jack: Third-party audio devices can be connected to the car’s audio system. There is
also a 12V power socket.
•
Bluetooth telephone system (optional): Hands-free communication is possible without
even having to physically plug in Bluetooth-capable mobile telephones. The driver can make
and accept calls using voice commands or controls mounted on the steering wheel.
•
Improved seat heaters (optional): Shorter warmup times are complemented by five levels
of adjustability (as opposed to the previous on/off control) for greater comfort.
•
Storage for small items: The divider that forms cupholders in the centre-console can be
removed to create a handy box for small items. There is also a net pocket on each door.
Ecology and Safety
Enhanced Environmental Performance for Greater Enjoyment
Mazda regards efforts to reduce fuel economy and exhaust emissions not only as a vital way to
protect the environment but also as a way to make sports cars more fun to drive.
With the latest MX-5 facelift, Mazda engineers addressed fuel economy by reducing the
rolling resistance of the tyres, reducing engine friction, and revising the transmission gear
ratios. Lower exhaust emissions were achieved through upgraded precious metals in the
catalytic converter. The MX-5’s improved emission performance complies with Japan’s
SU-LEV standard, the European Union’s Stage 4 standard, and the United States’ ULEV2
standard.
To promote eco-driving, the digital display on the instrument panel can show the average
fuel consumption (The display can be toggled between average fuel consumption, a double
tripmeter, and the outside air temperature.)
Rigorous Attention to Safety
Improved active safety on the European MX-5 is realized by expanded availability of a tyre
pressure monitoring system and by more models featuring Dynamic Stability Control as
standard equipment.
The MX-5 facelift will be introduced on the European market in early spring 2009.
11
Major Specifications: Mazda MX-5 for Europe (1)
(1) Data subject to homologation
###
Overall length 4,020 mm
Overall width 1,720 mm
Overall height 1,245 mm
（ RHT 1,255mm ）
Wheelbase 2,330 mm
Tread (front/rear) 1,490 mm/1,495 mm
Dimensions
Seating capacity 2 persons
Type MZR 1.8L I4 DOHC 16-valve
MZR 2.0L I4 DOHC 16-valve
Max. output (target) 1.8L: 93kW (126PS) / 6,500 rpm
2.0L with MT: 118kW (160PS) / 7,000 rpm
2.0L with AT: 118kW (160PS) / 6,700 rpm
Max. torque (target) 1.8L: 167Nm /4,500 rpm
2.0L: 188Nm /5,000 rpm
Engines
Bore x stroke 1.8L: 83.0 mm x 83.1 mm
2.0L: 87.5 mm x 83.1 mm
Transmissions Type 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed Activematic
Steering Type Rack and pinion
Suspension Type (front/rear) Double wishbone/multilink
Brakes Type (front/rear) Ventilated disc/solid disc
Tyres and wheels Tyres 16”: 205/50R 16 (front/rear)
17”: 205/45R 17 (front/rear)
Wheels 16”: 16x6 1/2J (front/rear)
17”: 17x7J (front/rear)
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