March 14, 2005

Photo: Mazda. Click image to enlarge

Preview:
2006 Mazda Miata
by Paul Williams

Geneva, Switzerland - When the Mazda Miata was introduced in 1989 (known as the MX-5 in overseas markets) nearly all of its British and European competition had abandoned the "traditional" sports car segment in North America.

That segment meant a car with two seats, convertible top, rear-wheel drive, and built for performance rather than practical transportation.

What seemed a risky venture at the time turned out to be a shrewd move for Mazda. The little Japanese roadster eventually chalked up 700,000 sales worldwide; when it reached 531,890 units in May 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records named it the world's best-selling sports car.

A revised version in 1999 kept the Miata modern, and the recent 2005 Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva was the venue to introduce the all-new third generation.

Look for the 2006 MX-5 Miata to make its Canadian debut in August, with prices similar to the current range of $28,000-$34,000.

Photos: Paul Williams. Click image to enlarge

It will be called the MX-5 Miata for a year or two, but Canadians and Americans can look for the Miata name to disappear after that, unifying the vehicle as an MX-5 worldwide.

That doesn't mean you'll no longer recognize the car; Mazda is not about to radically alter such a successful vehicle. Even though it's longer, wider and a bit more muscular, its appearance, engineering and performance are clearly an evolution of the two previous generations.

The most notable exterior changes are the prominent front and rear fender arches that recall the same style on the flashy RX-8; the elimination of the car's "Coke bottle" contour in favour of a more smoothly tapered nose and tail; the inboard placement of the headlights and taillights; and a particularly appealing revised grille.

The design changes are subtle but significant, as they make the car "less cute" while retaining the fun look.

Photos: Mazda. Click image to enlarge

The MX-5 Miata gains 65 mm in wheelbase, 20 mm in length, 40 mm in width, and 20 mm in height. The longer wheelbase now permits taller occupants the kind of legroom they've wanted since 1989, and the increased width allows for side airbags if specified. The bigger wheel arches are ready for optional 17-inch wheels.

Power is up, too. The new 2.0-litre engine is rated at around 160 hp (final North American specifications have not yet been announced), and balance will be improved by moving the engine 135 mm rearward to create 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution.

A newly developed six-speed manual transmission will be available, along with the standard five-speed manual. An available six-speed automatic transmission can be manually controlled by the shift lever and by steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The body structure is now 47 per cent more rigid, and has a lower centre of gravity that should enhance handling. Overall weight is up only 10 kg.

The Z-fold soft-top is easily raised and lowered with the centrally-located latch handle. Power operation is not available, but the exquisite engineering of this top is such that it completely obviates the need for automatic assist. A hardtop is optional, and flatters the lines of the car.

Although Mazda Canada only sells about 1,200 Miatas here, this is a car with a very strong enthusiast base. It's also the embodiment of the "Zoom-Zoom" philosophy of the Mazda brand.

The 2006 MX-5 Miata is a very satisfactory evolution that will not disappoint existing fans, and should create new ones.

Paul Williams is an Ottawa-based freelance automotive writer and senior writer for CanadianDriver.