Mazda MX-5
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The Mazda MX-5 (also known as Miata in North America and Roadster in Japan) is a sports car built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan, since 1989. Its introduction revived the roadster segment and as such it was a significant development in the motoring industry, with other companies promptly introducing roadsters to their model ranges, like the MG F and the second-generation Toyota MR2. As of 2006, the MX-5 was one of the world's best-selling sports cars, with over 750,000 cars sold in total.
The MX-5 was envisioned by its designers as a small roadster with a minimum of unnecessary weight and complexity, a direct descendant of the small British roadsters of the 1960s such as the Triumph Spitfire, Austin-Healey 3000, MG Midget, and especially the Lotus Elan, but using modern technology.
As a result, the MX-5 was designed with a traditional FR (front-engine, rear-wheel-drive) layout and 4-wheel independent double wishbone suspension. It comes with a longitudinally mounted four cylinder engine coupled to a manual transmission (an automatic transmission is available as an option).
The body is a conventional, but very light, unibody shell. The MX-5 also incorporates a unique trusswork called the Powerplant Frame (PPF) which connects the engine to the differential, minimizing flex and creating a tight, responsive feel. Many MX-5s feature limited slip differentials and antilock brakes. Traction control is an option available on some models.
With an approximate 50:50 front/rear weight balance, the car has very neutral handling, which makes it easy to drive for the beginner, and fun for the advanced driver. Inducing oversteer is easy and very controllable, thus making the MX-5 a popular choice for amateur and stock racing, including, in the USA, the Sports Car Club of America's Solo2 autocross and Spec Miata race series.
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There have been three generations of the MX-5, consisting of major stylistic and mechanical upgrades. The first generation, designated NA, sold over 400,000 units. It was produced from 1989 to 1997, initially with a 1.6-liter straight-4 engine, and from 1994 with a 1.8-liter engine. The NA can be recognized by its distinctive pop-up headlights. The second generation NB was introduced in 1999 with a slight increase in engine power; it can be recognized by the fixed headlights. The third generation NC was introduced in 2005 with a 2.0-liter engine; it can be recognized by the fender bulges over the wheel wells.
Beginning with the third generation, Mazda consolidated worldwide marketing using the MX-5 name, though enthusiasts in the USA still refer to it as Miata, a name that means "reward" in Old High German.<ref name=reward>http://www.miata.net/misc/reward.html.</ref>
The MX-5 has won over 150 awards in its history,<ref>Mazda promotional literature.</ref> including making Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list seven times; Wheels Magazine 's Car of the Year for 1989 and 2005; Sports Car International's "best sports car of the 1990s" and "ten best sports cars of all time"; 2005-2006 Car of the Year Japan; and 2005 Australian Car of the Year.
[edit] From idea to production
In 1976, Bob Hall, a journalist at Motor Trends magazine who was an expert in Japanese cars and fluent in the language, met Kenichi Yamamoto, head of Research and Development at Mazda. Yamamoto asked Hall what kind of car Mazda should make in the future:
- "I babbled [...] how the [...] simple, bugs-in-the-teeth, wind-in-the-hair, classically-British sports car doesn't exist anymore. I told Mr. Yamamoto that somebody should build one [...] inexpensive roadster." <ref name=bob-hall>Details on the history of Bob Hall's influence on the design, development and manufacture of the MX-5.</ref>
In 1981, Bob Hall moved to a product planning position with Mazda US and again met Kenichi Yamamoto, now chairman of Mazda Motors, who remembered their conversation about a roadster and gave Hall the go-ahead to research the idea further. Hall and his US colleagues proposed an FR layout (front-engine, rear-wheel drive) in line with the British roadster ancestry, but his Japanese counterparts favored the more common FF layout (front-engined, front-wheel drive) or the MR layout (mid-engined, rear-wheel drive).
The solution that the management of Mazda came up with was to start an internal competition between the two design studios of Mazda, in California, USA and Tokyo, Japan. California entered the FR layout whilst Tokyo entered both the FF and the MR layouts.
The first round of judging the competing designs for the MX-5 was held in April 1984. At this stage, designs were presented solely on paper. The mid-engined car appeared the most impressive, although it was known at the time that such a layout would struggle to meet the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) requirements of the project. It was only at the second round of the competition in August 1984, when full-scale clay models were presented, that the California FR design, codenamed "Duo 101", won the competition and was selected as the basis for Mazda's new light-weight sports car.
The Duo 101, so named as either a soft-top or hard-top could be used, incorporated many key stylistic cues inspired by the Lotus Elan , a 1960s roadster widely considered as one of the best-handling sports cars of its day. International Automotive Design (IAD) in Worthing, England was commissioned to develop a running prototype. It was built with a fiberglass body, a 1.4-liter engine from a Mazda Familia and components from a variety of early Mazda models. The prototype was completed in August 1985.
After some minor changes in the design, the project received final approval on January 18 1986 and the car was now codenamed P729. The task of constructing five engineering mules (more developed prototypes) was again allocated to IAD, which also conducted the first front and rear crash tests on the P729. As the project was moved to Japan for final engineering and production details, and a definitive model name was found, the MX-5 was ready to be introduced to the world as a true light-weight sports car, weighing just 940 kg (2070 lb).
[edit] First Generation (NA)
The MX-5 was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on February 10 1989, with a price tag of US $13,800 (US $22,650 in 2006 adjusted for inflation<ref name=inflation>Official U.S. inflation calculator.</ref>). The MX-5, with production code NA, would be available for delivery to buyers on July 1989 as a 1990 model. An optional hardtop was made available at the same time, in reinforced engineering plastic.
In Japan, the car was not badged as a Mazda, as the company was experimenting with the creation of different marques for deluxe models, similar to Nissan's Infiniti and Toyota's Lexus. Instead, the Mazda MX-5 was sold as the Eunos Roadster in that market.
The body shell of the NA was all-steel with a light-weight aluminium hood. Overall dimensions were 3970 mm (156.3 in) in length, 1675 mm (65.9 in) in width, and 1235 mm (48.6 in) in height. Drag coefficient was indicated as 0.38, reasonably aerodynamic. Suspension was an independent double wishbone on all four wheels, with an anti-roll bar at the front. Four wheel-disc brakes, ventilated at the front, were behind alloy wheels with 185/60HR14 radial tires.
The original MX-5 came with a 1.6-litre double overhead cam inline four-cylinder engine, producing 90 kW (120 hp) and 100 ft·lbf (136 N·m) of torque. The engine employs an L-Jetronic fuel injection system and a camshaft angle sensor instead of a distributor. This engine, codename B6, had been previously used in the 323 series, including the 323 GTX, a turbocharged, all-wheel drive vehicle, and retained the reinforcements and under-piston oil sprays favored for aftermarket forced induction.
Standard transmission was 5-speed manual. Japan and the USA got an optional automatic transmission which proved unpopular; these markets also received an optional viscous limited slip rear differential.
The NA could reach 96 km/h (60 mph) in 9.4 seconds and had a top speed of 190 km/h (119 mph).
For the 1994 model year, the first-generation MX-5 was freshened with the introduction of the more powerful 1.8-litre BP engine, dual airbags and a geared, torque-sensing limited slip differential in some markets. The chassis was substantially braced to meet new side-impact standards, most obviously by adding a bar between the seatbelt towers inside the car, but also to the front and rear subframes. No exterior changes were made, though. This is called the NA Generation 1.5.
The new engine produced 98 kW (130 hp), then increased by 1 kW (3 hp) for 1995. The base weight increased to 990 kg (2180 lb). Performance was improved slightly, the additional power being partly offset by the extra weight. In some markets such as Europe, the 1.6 engine continued to be available as a lower-cost option, but was detuned to 66 kW (88 hp). This lower-powered model did not receive all the additional chassis bracing of the new 1.8. Japanese and US cars were fitted with an optional Torsen LSD, which was far more durable than the previous viscous differential.
There were a number of trim levels and special editions available, determined by local Mazda marketing departments. In the US, the base model was called the "A Package". These listed for a mere $13,995 at launch and were very basic, with no A/C or power steering, manual windows, and steel wheels. A "B Package" added power steering and windows, along with alloy wheels and other options, while the "C Package" included a tan interior and top and leather seats. The "R Package" was for racing, and the annual special editions were formalized as "M Editions" from Generation 1.5. These included all of the luxury options from the "C Package" as well as special paint and, sometimes, special wheels. In the UK, to celebrate Mazda's 24 hours of Le Mans win, Mazda bought out a special edition of the MX-5, with the winner's color scheme (see Mazda 787B) and came equipped with BBR (Brodie Brittain Racing) turbo conversion; the car is one of the most sought after special edition cars of the MX-5s.
The first generation MX-5 was phased out with the 1997 model year (there was no 1998 model year), with the final 1500 NAs produced for the US market being the "STO" ("Special Touring Option") versions.
[edit] Second Generation (NB)
In 1998, Mazda released the second-generation MX-5, production code NB, for the 1999 model year. The NB featured a more powerful engine and external styling cues borrowed from the third generation Mazda RX-7 model. Prices in the United States, the main market for the MX-5, started at US $19,770 (US $24,680 in 2006<ref name=inflation />).
Although many parts of the interior and body were different, the most notable changes were the headlights: the first generation's retractable headlights no longer passed pedestrian safety tests and were replaced by fixed ones. The new car grew slightly in width compared to the earlier model; its dimensions were: length 3945 mm (155.3 in), width 1678 mm (66.0 in), height 1228 mm (48.4 in) and wheelbase 2265 mm (89.2 in). Without options, the NB weighed exactly 1000 kg (2205 lb). The new generation was slightly more aerodynamic than the original, with a Cd figure of 0.36.
The NB continued to employ four-wheel independent suspension, with enlarged anti-roll bars at the front and rear, but the wheels, tires and brakes were significantly upgraded: ABS was offered as an option; alloy wheels were now 14 in or 15 in in diameter and 6 in in width, depending on the trim package; sports models were equipped with the larger wheels and 195/50VR15 tires.
The BP-4W engine remained at 1.8 L but received several minor updates. The engine compression ratio was raised from 9.0:1 to 9.5:1 by adding slightly domed pistons; the intake cam was changed to a solid lifter design with a stronger cam; the intake runners in the head were straightened and the intake manifold was mounted higher up. Mazda's Variable Intake Control System was introduced, which effectively gave a long narrow intake manifold at low rpm for better swirl, changing to a short, free-flowing manifold at high rpm for maximum breathing. Power output of the new engine was quoted at 105 kW (140 hp) with 119 ft·lbf (161 N·m) of torque.
The 1.6 B6 engine remained available in Europe and Japan.
The base-model 1.8 NB could reach 96 km/h (60 mph) in 7.9 s and had a top speed of 197 km/h (123 mph).
In 1999, Mazda celebrated the 10th anniversary of the MX-5 with the 10th Anniversary Model, a limited edition featuring some until-then exclusive features, namely a six-speed transmission and Bilstein shock absorbers; performance figures were slightly different, with faster acceleration but lower top speed than the standard 1.8 NB.
For the 2001 model year, a facelift to the Second-Generation MX-5 was released. There were some minor exterior changes, with a press-release of July 18 2000 announcing the changes as "resulting in an even sportier and more forceful look". Some cockpit elements were changed, with the instrument panel gauges receiving a white face and red numbers. The seats were also upgraded, incorporating more support in the side bolsters and taller headrests. Added for top models were 16-inch wheels with 205/45VR16 low-profile tires and larger brakes at the front and rear. The upgraded tires and suspension allowed the new model to pull 0.88 g in lateral grip in tests by Car and Driver magazine. The body was strengthened, gaining 16% in bending rigidity and 22% in torsional rigidity. With the minimum of options, the 2001 model weighed 1065 kg (2350 lb).
The 1.8 BP-Z3 engine was slightly modified and now featured variable valve timing on the intake camshaft. The intake and exhaust system also received a minor upgrade. These modifications resulted in a power output of 117 kW (155 hp) (Japan and Australia) or 110 kW (146 hp) (US and Europe). In the United States, Mazda erroneously quoted the power figure for the Japanese and Australian model in early catalogues. Car and Driver magazine and numerous owners confirmed the missing power, and Mazda offered to buy back the 2001 cars due to those misleading power claims. Owners who did not take up the buy back offer were offered an apology and free servicing for the warranty period.
2002 saw the launch of the most powerful MX-5 ever produced. The MX-5 SP was developed and sold in Australia and its turbocharged engine produced 157 kW at 6800 RPM. Only 100 of these cars were built.
The 2004 model year saw the introduction of the official turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5, Roadster Turbo in Japan. It featured an IHI turbocharger equipped BPT engine that produced 178 hp (133 kW) at 6000 RPM with a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler. Other features included a special suspension, upgraded transmission and clutch assemblies, upgraded drivetrain components, Racing Hart 17-inch alloy wheels, special interior trim. The 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5 was only available in Velocity Red Mica and Titanium Gray Metallic while the 2005 model was available additionally in Lava Orange Mica and Black Mica. Of the 5,428 Mazdaspeed MX-5s produced during model years 2004 and 2005, 4,000 were produced in 2004 and the 2005 production run was shortened due to a fire at the production facility to only 1,428. A slightly less powerful version of the Mazdaspeed MX-5 was sold in Australia under the MX-5 SE label. It was rated at 165 hp (121 kW) at 6000 RPM.
Also during the 2004 model year, a division of Mazda in Japan produced the Roadster Coupé, with an integral hardtop roof. The body structure was reworked to incorporate the roof for a substantial increase in chassis rigidity and a weight increase of 10 kg (22 lb). Production was limited to 350 units for Japan only.
[edit] Third Generation (NC)
Production of the third-generation MX-5, code NC, began May 17 2005, for delivery in August, for the 2006 model year.
Although the exterior appears very similar to the earlier model, the third generation shares no components with the second generation, except for the side-panel turning-lights on models destined for the European market. The suspension has changed from a 4-wheel double wishbone setup to a front wishbone/rear multilink setup. Technologies like traction control and stability control were added to increase driveability.
The exterior styling resembles the original design while adopting a clean, more muscular profile. Some design elements were adopted to reinforce the family ties with the Mazda RX-8. Unlike the update from NA to NB, which was mostly a nose/tail/interior change, there are substantial differences in every body panel of the NC.
For Australia and the USA, the engine was the new 16-valve, 2.0-litre MZR I4, producing 170 hp (128 kW) and 140 ft·lbf (190 N·m), coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. For Europe, two engines are offered: the same 2.0 MZR, but producing 160 hp (118 kW) and 188 N·m; and a new 1.8 MZR, producing 126 hp (93 kW) and 167 N·m, coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission.
A 6-speed automatic transmission, with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, is optional. A test by Car and Driver magazine revealed a 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) time of 6.5 s for the 2.0 NC.
The NC was launched with a special edition called "3rd Generation Limited" which featured added chrome accents and special wheels. 3500 were built worldwide (300 in the UK, 750 in the USA), delivered in advance of standard models.
On July 2006, Mazda unveiled a coupé convertible version of the NC with a three-piece folding hardtop, named MX-5 Roadster Coupe in Europe, Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top in Japan, and MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top in the USA. Adding 37 kg (82 lb) to the weight of a comparable model with soft top, the hard top takes 11 seconds to raise or lower; in a departure from the competition, it does not take any of the existing trunk space when folded down. The first units were delivered to customers in late August, for a price premium less than the cost of a separate hard top.
[edit] Production numbers
| Year | Production |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 12 (pre-production models) |
| 1989 | 45,266 |
| 1990 | 95,640 |
| 1991 | 63,434 |
| 1992 | 52,712 |
| 1993 | 44,743 |
| 1994 | 39,623 |
| 1995 | 31,886 |
| 1996 | 33,610 |
| 1997 | 27,037 |
| 1998 | 58,682 |
| 1999 | 44,851 |
| 2000 | 47,496 |
| 2001 | 38,870 |
| 2002 | 40,754 |
| 2003 | 30,106 |
| 2004 | 24,232 |
| 2005 | 29,950 |
| Total | 748,904 |
For a breakdown of the production numbers, by color and by option package, see the Miata.net Mazda MX-5 Miata FAQ.
The 250,000th MX-5 rolled out of the factory on November 9 1992; the 500,000th, on February 8 1999; the 750,000th, in March 2004.
[edit] In popular culture
The MX-5 has crossed into popular culture, from films to TV to video games to books. On the 2006 film Cars, two secondary characters are called Mia and Tia, the names themselves derived from the word Miata. Other films featuring MX-5s include The Benchwarmers, showing a baseball bat flying through the windshield of a red NB Miata, Go, where a body is stashed in the trunk of a Sunburst Yellow 1992 Miata, Corky Romano, in which the main character drives an orange Miata, Sister, Sister, where the main characters own a red Miata, and Super Troopers, where a Miata is involved in a police chase. In A Scanner Darkly, Winona Ryder, who plays Donna, drives a silver 2nd Generation MX-5. In the anime Love Hina, the car Kentaro Sakata drives is a red second-generation MX-5.
In video games, MX-5s are featured in a number of titles including the Need For Speed Underground series, the Project Gotham Racing series, the Gran Turismo series, Juiced and Forza Motorsport.
On TV, an episode of American sitcom Newsradio had the owner of the radio station give MX-5s to all his employees. Band Blink 182 had a red MX-5 dropped from a crane in the music video for their song "Rock Show". The two main characters in the music video "Windowlicker" by Aphex Twin are crusing in a green NA Miata. Also, a pair of episodes of the sitcom Saved by the Bell, titled "Wicked Stepbrother" parts 1 and 2, revolved around one of the characters getting a Miata. On books, Lawrence Sanders's McNally series has the main character mentioning his 1990 red Miata a few times in each of the stories, and the Guinness Book of Records registered the MX-5 as the world's best-selling sports car in 2002.<ref name=record>Mazda Miata named best-selling sports car by Guinness World Records(TM); Mazda produces 600,000 MX-5 Miata Roadsters, breaks previous record.. Retrieved on 2006-08-05.</ref>
In 2006, the third-generation MX-5 was featured on the popular BBC program Top Gear in a race against a champion greyhound (which was actually worth significantly more than the car). The greyhound ended up winning the race by a large margin, partly due to the lack of grip provided by the muddy track.
[edit] See also
- List of Mazda MX-5 colors and special editions (1990—2007)
- Spec Miata, a class of racing cars in the U.S.
[edit] References
- Long, B. MX-5 Miata - The full story of the world's favourite sports car, Veloce Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-903706-21-1
- Carey, J. (March, 2005). "New Mazda MX-5". Wheels (Australia), p. 48.
[edit] Cited references and notes
<references />
[edit] Sources
- Mazda MX-5 SE Retrieved November 5, 2006.
[edit] External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- Mazda USA official MX-5 site
- Mazda UK official MX-5 site
- Mazda Australia official MX-5 site
- Miata.net - an MX-5 resource and owner community
- Mazda-Speed.com - a Mazdaspeed Miata specific resource and owner community
| Mazda – part owned by the Ford Motor Company, road car timeline, 1990s—present - | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | 1990s | 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Subcompact | Revue/121 | Demio/121 | Demio/2 | Demio/2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Verisa | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact | Familia/323/Protegé | Familia/323/Protegé | Familia/323/Protegé | Axela/3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | Capella/626 | Capella | Capella/626 | Atenza/6 | Atenza/6 | |||||||||||||||
| Cronos/626 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MS-8/Eunos 800/Xedos 9/Millenia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size | Sentia/929 | Sentia | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sports / coupé | MX-6 | MX-6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MX-5/Miata | MX-5/Miata | MX-5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MX-3 | MicroSport | Kabura | ||||||||||||||||||
| RX-7 | RX-7 | RX-8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cosmo | ||||||||||||||||||||
| AZ-1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Premacy | Premacy/Mazda5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MPV | MPV | MPV | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | Navajo | Tribute | CX-5 | |||||||||||||||||
| CX-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CX-9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Trucks: | B-Series/Proceed/Truck (International) (North America) | BT-50 | E-Series/Bongo | T-Series/Titan | |||||||||||||||||||
| Kei cars: | Spiano | AZ-Offroad | Scrum | Laputa | AZ-Wagon | Carol | |||||||||||||||||||
| Historic models: | GLC | Luce | Savanna | Proceed | RX-2 | RX-3 | RX-4 | RX-5 | Roadpacer | REPU | |||||||||||||||||||
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