Mazda Thinks the New MX-5 Miata is Too Heavy
Believe it or not, Mazda thinks it can make the already light MX-5 Miata even lighter.
Weighing in at 2,313 pounds in the U.S., the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the lightest cars available, and yet the Japanese automaker wants to make it even lighter. Speaking to Road & Track, lead development engineer for the U.S.-spec Miata, David Coleman, shared that the company’s focus is on making the Miata even lighter. The bad news is, Mazda has no plans on making it more powerful, with Coleman adding that a turbocharger just doesn’t fit with the roadster. Instead, “There’s plenty of room to try to make the car lighter and better that way,” Coleman said.
SEE ALSO: 5 Reasons the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a Great Winter Car
It won’t happen in the immediate future, but it is something Mazda is keen on doing. The automaker hopes to find cost-effective technology to shave off some weight by the time the model gets a facelift.
At the end of the day, Mazda isn’t going to fold to the pressure of numerous automakers switching to turbocharged powerplants to boost performance. The first and foremost goal for the Miata is to be fun to drive and Mazda believes a low-powered engine in a light chassis is the solution.
[Source: Road & Track]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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More grunt, more fun!
Some years back there was a modification available to allow the Miata to run a 302 Ford V-8. If they now can shoe-horn a Focus ST engines or a Ford turbo V-6 it should go like stink!