Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled its fully redesigned third-generation MX-5 roadster at the Geneva motor show on Tuesday.
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In a pre-launch statement, Takao Kijima, programme manager for the new vehicle, said: “Our effort with the MX-5 was to retain the key roadster attributes that made this car famous–the lightweight feeling, the balanced handling, the overall nimbleness of the product–but make the vehicle more useful for a wider range of customers, offering better value, more comfort, and overall higher levels of interior quality.”
The first-generation MX-5 (known as the Eunos Roadster in Japan and Miata in North America) debuted at the Chicago motor show in February 1989, and has been continuously developed ever since. The second generation arrived in 1997 – Mazda redesigns this model on a European-like eight-year model cycle rather than its usual four.
The new MX-5 will be launched world-wide from the second half of 2005. New equipment and technologies have resulted in an increase of total vehicle weight of only about 10 kg compared to the previous generation car despite added equipment. Using materials such as ultra-high-tension steel, the new unibody has 22% more flex stiffness and 47% more torsional rigidity compared to its predecessor. Moving the engine rearward by 135 mm (5.3 inches) was a major step toward balancing front-to-rear weight distribution and reducing the yaw moment of inertia.
Several parts of the interior have a piano-black finish and the five round dials with metal-look trim have glass covers with a coating to reduce reflections and maintain legibility even in direct sunlight.
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Eight exterior colours are available ex-factory. For base models, black upholstery and a matte-silver metallic interior finish can be selected while high-grade models offer two choices: a combination of saddle-tan and black leather or monotone black leather.
Newly developed side airbags protect the occupants’ torsos and a larger-volume head protection airbag is now specified.
New waist-level vents and a mesh-type air deflector mounted behind the seats improve ventilation inside the cabin.
The new MX-5 will be offered in all markets with a newly developed version of Mazda’s two-litre MZR engine while an improved version of the previous 1.8-litre engine will be offered to fuel economy-conscious buyers in some European markets. The outgoing model is sold there with a choice of 1.6- and 1.8-litre engines.
Throughout the two-litre engine’s development, work focused on what Mazda engineers call “response”, “expansion feel” and “pleasant engine sound.” A lighter flywheel and a stiffer drive shaft contributed to the claimed responsive, direct feel of the new roadster.
A 57% reduction in intake restriction was achieved. Pressure loss in the exhaust system was reduced 40% to keep the engine torque curve nearly level at high rpm. The intake manifold and the intake and exhaust system were tuned, and the engine sound that resulted is said to be “one of the pleasant appeals of the new MX-5”.
A newly developed six-speed manual transmission will be available in all markets. Five-speed manual and new six-speed automatic transmissions will also be offered.
The latest MX-5 has double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension system with 205/45WR-17 tyres have to offer. Aluminium was used for some chassis parts to minimise unsprung weight, and attaching the rear cross member directly to the unibody with no rubber isolation enhances chassis rigidity.
Unwanted steering and pitch motion of the body during acceleration and braking are controlled by anti-drive, anti-squat geometry. Mazda said a 65mm (2.56 inches) increase in the wheelbase helps stability.
Another significant change claimed to improve handling is a 75mm (3.0 inches) increase in the front track and a 55mm (2.1 inches) increase at the rear.
The new roadster boasts claimed class-leading level stopping distances due to increased diameter front and rear disc rotors and stronger callipers.
