Mazda is collaborating with Alfa Romeo to build the 2014 Mazda Miata. The two automakers are still keeping the details of the planned car in secret. In a joint press release, the two companies promised to build a distinctly styled car. They told us the car will be an iconic brand-specific roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive and the Mazda variants will be powered by proprietary engines, to create a unique personality.
The priority of the automaker is to keep the already popular 2-passenger roadsters small and simple as a 2014 Mazda Miata MX-5 model. As we have already discovered, engineers are working really hard to trim off some excess weight from the current model. The new car will be reduced by about 300 pounds to bring the weight to around 2200 pounds. Styling will likely be influenced by the Takeri and Shinari models, so we are expecting a form of Kodo design language. The car may also be aided by the SkyActiv models, which offer better performance and improved fuel economy.
A critic will have little to complain about the level of design introduced to the Miata 2014. The exterior design starts from the headlights which was given a cosmetic enhancement. It now wears a distinct slant teardrop shape and the lighting technology used is now LED. We also expect the 2014 MX-5 Miata to have bigger fenders, and a curvier front and rear end. There will be some horizontal bars and a Mazda emblem on its grille. With the plan to reduce weight in place, we will not be surprised if Mazda decide to do away with some of its heavy and complicated features, especially the optional retractable folding hardtop found in the current model.
There have been various complaints from buyers that the cabin of the current MX-5 is not comfortable for tall passengers, we expect the renowned automaker to turn its attention on increasing the cabin space of the incoming car so as to make it more comfortable. Meanwhile, we have also heard that there will be some sport seats in the interior of the Miata 2014 and different aluminium insertions.
Our source in the Mazda camp informed us that the 2014 MX-5 Miata will be fitted with a new turbocharged engine. As it turns out, the initial plan of using a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter inline-4 engine has been dropped. The automaker also considered at point the idea of reintroducing the 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that is currently being used, but using it would mean that its objective to build a car with high fuel economy is defeated. So, with many powertrains being written off, the Japanese automaker has now settle for either a 1.3- or 1.5-liter inline-4 with forced induction or a 1.8-liter inline-4 with SkyActiv. Whatever powertrain that comes eventually, we can expect at least 10% fuel economy and 150 HP from the 2014 Mazda Miata MX-5.
The 2014 MX-5 Mazda Miata is expected to debut later this year, and it will be available for sale by early 2013. We have not heard anything about the price, but base on what we have observed from previous MX-5 models, it is a safe assumption that its base price will be around $30,000 in the U.S.
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