You know what’s up with the 2016 Mazda Miata already. It’s smaller, lighter, and quicker than the outgoing model. No, it still does not have any more horsepower than the outgoing NC. It has fewer, in fact. However, if you think that makes it any less pure of a sports car then I’m sorry, you are not an it-getter. The ND is a throwback to the original Miata, in the truest sense of the word. If you don’t believe us, here are the stats.
Mazda MX-5: 1990 NA / 2016 ND
Length: 155.4 / 154.1 inches
Width: 65.9 / 68.3 inches
Height: 48.2 / 48.8 inches
Wheelbase: 89.2 / 90.9 inches
Curb weight: 2210 / 2309 lb
Engine: 1.6 / 2.0 L
Power: 116hp @ 6500rpm / 155hp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 100 lb-ft @ 5500rpm / 148 lb-ft @ 4600rpm
Now watch this video by Mazda UK to see how that translates onto the track.
After watching the video i have a new respect for the NA Miata, i have owned 2 miatas in my life thus far and enjoyed them both. The fact that the older car has less power and torque but still does well against the newer one is a testament to the legend that the miata has become…Mazda, in my opinion, has stayed true to the people who enjoy DRIVING a car for the pleasure of driving. This has always been my opinion of Mazda, i have been lucky to own a 1986 RX7 Turbo 2, 2 Mazda miatas, A Mazda MX6 GT turbo (626 coupe) and recently a 1971 RX2 sedan (never driven it). I am a nissan guy at heart but i will never hesitate to buy a “hot version” Mazda…they have cars that reward the owner with thrills and smiles…. with out the gimmicks….
Or is it a testament to malaise in the Japanese car industry? Everyones cars are vastly superior to ones released in the early 90s but the Japanese car companies are behind their cars from back then or just simply equal them. Unless it’s a supercar or a $60k+ luxury model.
The new one is SO pretty. I might need one.
Mazda also had a red NA MX-5 on their stand at Goodwood Festival of Speed over the weekend, alongside the red and white NDs. It’s really nice that Mazda keep their heritage in mind and sell their new cars in the context of what they have done before. On, and the 787B, 787, 767, Chevron Mazda, Mad Mikes FD, IMSA FC, and Spa winning FB were there too.
I felt slightly less impressed that when I went to have a sit in the new MX-5, the sales lady was most keen to talk about the infotainment system, lane departure warning control and blind spot alerts – but you can’t have everything.
I was there! Wish I had known you’d be there as well. I was dismayed to see the vast difference in Mazda marketing in the UK vs the US. Here it’s all Zoom Zoom and Driving Matters. There it’s about Raising the Roof and music lifestyle. We get it, it’s a convertible. Let’s talk about driving it! It was my first trip to the UK and driving to Goodwood from London on the B-roads was loads of fun. I can’t imagine how much more so it would be in an ND Miata.