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As with any iconic vehicle, talk of change can instill both great hopes for something even better and fear of ruining a good thing, especially in the minds and spirits of its loyalist. The Mazda Miata is no exception. CarScoops provides us with the latest chatter and even a rendering to either tear apart or praise. ~ Atomic


Mazda's long serving MX-5 Miata is what you would call a true, pure drivers car; an affordable rear-drive, front-engined roadster with a fun value dialed to max. It's still one of the bestselling roadsters on the market today and retains a strong, loyal following.

Nevertheless, the Japanese carmaker and Alfa Romeo are co-developing a successor to the MX-5 that stays true to the original formula (the Italian manufacturer will get their own distinctive Spider version). So with that in mind, it was decided to digitally envisage how the next MX-5 could look.

Design:

First of all, I'll make no secret that the design of the original MX-5 never quite appealed in my mind. Sure, it looked like a cute British roadster; yet it was too feminine, barbie-like to seriously consider for my driveway. Successive generations have improve the appeal somewhat, with more gender-neutral styling gracing the current two-seater.

This design study is heavily influenced by Mazda's 'Kodo' design language, with the aim of making it more masculine whilst retaining those classic sports-car proportions.

So starting at the business end; the long, dynamic hood sweeps down into the bumper. Below this is Mazda's new corporate grille flanked by headlights that pay homage to prior generation MX-5's with their smooth, rounded edges. Further down, a heavily flanked lower bumper extension skirts around the sides, helping emphasize the car's planted stance.

Sharp creases dominate the front fenders as they sweep backwards into the doors - mimicking the effect seen on the Mazda Takeri concept. While the first three generations of MX-5 have had rather upright windscreens, this proposal takes on more of an speedster approach with its heavily raked frontal glass.

One area where the MX-5 has disappointed in the past is in the hindquarters - drab is a word that comes to mind. Anything with a strong frontal presence should equally look great from the rear too; while not illustrated here, the taillights sit neatly into the crisp rear fenders, separated by an aggressive duck-tailed trunk lid.

Interior:

Mazda has been advancing well with its interiors in recent years. Compared with what they were pumping out in the late 1990's, most of their lineup now boasts premium switchgear, materials and build quality.

However, there is always room for improvement - the MX5 needs to push the envelope further with striking design and sublime detailing. Think about what's currently found in the Jaguar F-Type, Audi TT and BMW Z4 (but on a budget); such a cabin should make the driver feel special - not the opposite.

Don't expect cabin real estate be vast; but rather incremental improvements to comfortably seat its occupants with improved hip and legroom. For those rain-doused fast get-aways, a quicker folding ragtop mechanism should help stop upper-body moisture and dampness issues.

What Could Power It:

Of course, a Rotary should - what else? However, back on earth, the next MX5 could use a new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter fours in 'Skyactiv-G 2' configuration. Say what? This is an extended development of current Skyactiv premise that brings Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) to the table. Along with improvements in cooling (which is a challenge with HCCI engines), this second-generation setup brings diesel-like efficiency to the petrol engine without having to utilize hybrid technology.

Platform & Handling:

This conceptual study rides on the same base that underpins the Alfa Romeo's upcoming Spider, so you can bet on one hell of a driver's package. Power will still be fed to the rear wheels via six speed manual or six speed automatic transmissions.

Usually car manufacturers like to get a good balance between ride and handling; for the MX-5, this means additional wheelbase length to help with stability whilst maintaining acceptable ride quality. The Skyactiv philosophy will also target weight reduction in the aim of improving nimbleness for an more engaging drive.

While its Alfa Romeo platform-sibling should provide equal amounts of driving fun, direct competition is expected to arrive in Toyota/Scion GT-86 format. However, until those gas torches finally tackle the GT-86's roof, Mazda has a relatively clear playing field (unless MX-5 pricing skyrockets). 

In summary: My design proposition may appear as a departure from MX5's of yesteryear, yet I'd ague that change was needed to captivate a broader audience. What emerges once Mazda rips the covers off its next roadster could be an interesting surprise - that 2015 Chicago Auto Show can't come soon enough.   

Let us know your thoughts and suggestions in the discussion area below.

I think the rendering is gorgeous but will the next Mazda MX-5 Miata resemble something as upscale as what Josh Byrnes created? Trust me, I am not putting down the Miata by any means. I merely am saying that I see the Mazda as a car with a simpler design... Some may even call the MX-5 Miata a cute roadster. I dunno... But I do know this... I love the current car and the sheik design by Josh -- on an Alfa Romeo, perhaps. Hmm... 

That rendering is awesome.  It's got some new Z4 in the overall shape.  I dig it.

Oooooooohhhhh yes. I cannot wait for this car.  :wub:

If the next MX-5 looks anything like that then screw practicality, I will own that car. 

That is sex on wheers.

The Alfa/Mazda collab on this is very exciting. I wonder if there will be an Abarf!

This rendering is basically a stab in the dark, no?

Latest Alfa Spider render:

(http://www.carpassion.it/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/brfa.jpg)

Yes, please.  :wub:

Quote from: Laconian on February 10, 2014, 07:36:14 PM
This rendering is basically a stab in the dark, no?

Given Mazda's current design language, I bet it's pretty close.

That looks too large. Seeing that Mazda has said they're returning to the roots on the ND and making it more like the NA and weight less. That thing has the 19" rims from my RX-8 on it.

There's sort of a Dodge Dart vibe in that front end, but I do hope the design is more of a radical departure from the current model than the previous two have been. I think too few people remember that it's a sports car instead of a cute car.

Wow that rendering looks fantastic!!!

25 Years of Miata - Jay Leno's Garage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1qgtCt1jG0#ws)

This seems as good a place to put it as any.

That rendering tells us nothing, but it looks nice

Dear Mazda: forget any pending designs, hire that man, and build a car that looks like that rendering.

Actually that grille in the picture is too big and that idiotic black bar in it could go away.

Quote from: Laconian on February 10, 2014, 07:36:14 PM
This rendering is basically a stab in the dark, no?

Mazda rendering looks like a Z4 chop.  In other news, the Alfa rendering just might have jumped to the top of the list over "another E85 Z4" as the car that might replace my Z4.  We'll see what happens when it actually comes out and if it ever comes to the US. 

Quote from: Raza  on February 11, 2014, 10:14:31 PM
Mazda rendering looks like a Z4 chop.  In other news, the Alfa rendering just might have jumped to the top of the list over "another E85 Z4" as the car that might replace my Z4.  We'll see what happens when it actually comes out and if it ever comes to the US.

That Alfa rendering is clearly a Solstice....

These renderings are worthless.  It's just the brain child of some guy on the internet, not necessarily what it'll look like at all.

Also, Alfa hasn't built a car that reportedly drives well in quite awhile :lol:  While the 8C and 4C look great, the fact that Alfa is involved in the development at all of the new Miata isn't comforting.

Every review of the 4C I've read says the car is brilliant.

Quote from: MX793 on February 12, 2014, 05:42:44 AM
Every review of the 4C I've read says the car is brilliant.

Came in last in EVO's car of the year discussions.  Steering and powertrain are both supposed to be awful.

Quote from: MrH on February 12, 2014, 05:44:14 AM
Came in last in EVO's car of the year discussions.  Steering and powertrain are both supposed to be awful.

That's like coming last in the Olympics.  You're still better than 99% of people who are trying to do the same thing that you are.

Quote from: Raza  on February 12, 2014, 07:28:41 AM
That's like coming last in the Olympics.  You're still better than 99% of people who are trying to do the same thing that you are.

When you can afford a car of that price level, why would you purchase the worst car out there?

Btw, JCW Mini was much better than it.  Someone else did a review and placed the 4C will behind the Cayman too.  It just looks pretty, that's about it.

Quote from: MrH on February 12, 2014, 08:26:03 AM
When you can afford a car of that price level, why would you purchase the worst car out there?

Btw, JCW Mini was much better than it.  Someone else did a review and placed the 4C will behind the Cayman too.  It just looks pretty, that's about it.

Interesting.  I haven't read any reviews of it (or seen the new Top Gear where they review it), so I just don't know.  But, as I've experienced, even if a car doesn't with the comparisons, it could very well strike the right chord with you when you drive it. 

Quote from: MrH on February 12, 2014, 05:39:50 AM
These renderings are worthless.  It's just the brain child of some guy on the internet, not necessarily what it'll look like at all.

Also, Alfa hasn't built a car that reportedly drives well in quite awhile :lol:  While the 8C and 4C look great, the fact that Alfa is involved in the development at all of the new Miata isn't comforting.

My understanding was they're using the MX-5 chassis and making their own body and engine. Therefore taking a good, reliable Miata and making it and unreliable and built for Euro snobs.

Quote from: Onslaught on February 12, 2014, 10:35:00 AM
My understanding was they're using the MX-5 chassis and making their own body and engine. Therefore taking a good, reliable Miata and making it and unreliable and built for Euro snobs refining it and making it actually good looking.

Fixed it for you  :evildude:

I actually can only think of two alfa's I ever thought looked good. All the others are ugly overrated junk. And I hate their emblem. But "looking good" won't do you any good when your car is in the shop and depreciating fast.

Quote from: Onslaught on February 12, 2014, 10:41:32 AM
I actually can only think of two alfa's I ever thought looked good. All the others are ugly overrated junk. And I hate their emblem. But "looking good" won't do you any good when your car is in the shop and depreciating fast.

I think you're in the extreme minority there. 

Quote from: Raza  on February 12, 2014, 01:22:30 PM
I think you're in the extreme minority there.

I know, but it's the one car brand that car guys love that I just don't get. And I find their cars ugly. And junk.

Jesus, this is why I stay clear of negative people. A few points:

1. How the hell can you determine the rendering is "nice" if it tells you "nothing"?
2. The Mazda render is based on Mazda's current design language, and (to me, anyways) seems completely plausible and realistic, except perhaps the windshield rake.
3. I'm pretty sure modern Alfas are reasonably reliable. Otherwise they would never survive in today's marketplace. Nobody calls Audis unreliable, even though they made the shitbox Fox in the '70s.
4. The Alfa render may be based on a Solstice (I don't think it is), but is completely plausible because, A) To keep costs down, the headlights would need to be slim like the Miata's. Otherwise, Alfa would need its own hood and front fenders to accomodate the ugly clusters found on the 4C and other Alfas. B) The closer we get to production, the more accurate renders will emerge as information leaks. As a positive person, I think we are getting pretty close to the actual cars, and I am excited about that.

Clowns here always bItch about something

Quote from: MrH on February 12, 2014, 05:44:14 AM
Came in last in EVO's car of the year discussions.  Steering and powertrain are both supposed to be awful.

Auto Express claimed the steering was incredible with excellent feedback, but knocked the powertrain (in comparison to the Cayman).  The turbo-4 has noticeable turbo lag and the twin-clutch gearbox isn't as good as PDK.  The steering is unassisted, I'm not sure how you're going to get better steering feedback than that.  Although, being unassisted, there's no system in place to make the steering heavier with speed so it might seem a bit twitchy at higher speeds.

C&D noted that the steering was incredibly precise and offered levels of feedback not seen in ages.  R&T griped a bit about the transmission and turbo lag, but likewise praised the handling and called the driving experience "brilliant" and more involving on the street than a Boxster/Cayman (though they gave Porsche the edge at 10/10ths on a racetrack, the Alfa tends to understeer at the limit).

Autocar also praised the steering, but also noted that the nature of the unassisted steering is that it will walk around a bit on uneven surfaces.  They also noted that the car understeered at the limit and it was difficult to coax it into oversteer.

My guess is the folks at EVO just prefer power steering.

Quote from: Onslaught on February 12, 2014, 01:28:24 PM
I know, but it's the one car brand that car guys love that I just don't get. And I find their cars ugly. And junk.

Just curious...How did you get hooked on Mazda as your automotive "Femme Fatale"?

Quote from: Catman on February 12, 2014, 03:10:46 PM
Clowns here always bItch about something

;)

(http://rookery.s3.amazonaws.com/3414000/3414108_d3e3_1024x2000.jpg)

Quote from: FoMoJo on February 12, 2014, 03:28:15 PM
Just curious...How did you get hooked on Mazda as your automotive "Femme Fatale"?

My father worked on them. And then I worked on them. And we had lots of them in the family and they never gave us any problems at all. As a matter of fact out of all the Fords, Chev's, Toyota's, Dodge's and Mazda's in our family the Mazda's did the best overall. That and The RX-7 and MX-5 are both cars that I like and can actually buy. And then you have the rotary engine.

Quote from: Rockraven on February 12, 2014, 02:48:03 PM
Jesus, this is why I stay clear of negative people. A few points:

1. How the hell can you determine the rendering is "nice" if it tells you "nothing"?
2. The Mazda render is based on Mazda's current design language, and (to me, anyways) seems completely plausible and realistic, except perhaps the windshield rake.
3. I'm pretty sure modern Alfas are reasonably reliable. Otherwise they would never survive in today's marketplace. Nobody calls Audis unreliable, even though they made the shitbox Fox in the '70s.
4. The Alfa render may be based on a Solstice (I don't think it is), but is completely plausible because, A) To keep costs down, the headlights would need to be slim like the Miata's. Otherwise, Alfa would need its own hood and front fenders to accomodate the ugly clusters found on the 4C and other Alfas. B) The closer we get to production, the more accurate renders will emerge as information leaks. As a positive person, I think we are getting pretty close to the actual cars, and I am excited about that.

1. I don't know
2. I agree
3. I'd make the argument that Audis aren't that reliable. Or I'd not trust them much anyway. But they do make some nice interiors.



I actually don't care for renderings. They almost always way off and it's just some guy making shit up just so they have something to say/show.

Quote from: Rockraven on February 12, 2014, 02:48:03 PM
Jesus, this is why I stay clear of negative people. A few points:

1. How the hell can you determine the rendering is "nice" if it tells you "nothing"?
2. The Mazda render is based on Mazda's current design language, and (to me, anyways) seems completely plausible and realistic, except perhaps the windshield rake.
3. I'm pretty sure modern Alfas are reasonably reliable. Otherwise they would never survive in today's marketplace. Nobody calls Audis unreliable, even though they made the shitbox Fox in the '70s.
4. The Alfa render may be based on a Solstice (I don't think it is), but is completely plausible because, A) To keep costs down, the headlights would need to be slim like the Miata's. Otherwise, Alfa would need its own hood and front fenders to accomodate the ugly clusters found on the 4C and other Alfas. B) The closer we get to production, the more accurate renders will emerge as information leaks. As a positive person, I think we are getting pretty close to the actual cars, and I am excited about that.

What?  It never gets close to the actual car unless it's based off some sort of spy shots that give some things away.

Kind of pointless to weigh in on a baseless interpretation of what it'll look like if there's nothing to back it up. :huh:

Quote from: Onslaught on February 12, 2014, 05:02:24 PM
My father worked on them. And then I worked on them. And we had lots of them in the family and they never gave us any problems at all. As a matter of fact out of all the Fords, Chev's, Toyota's, Dodge's and Mazda's in our family the Mazda's did the best overall. That and The RX-7 and MX-5 are both cars that I like and can actually buy. And then you have the rotary engine.

Sounds reasonable.  I thought it might have something to do with their racing history as well...i.e. Le Mans in '91.

Quote from: Onslaught on February 12, 2014, 05:02:24 PM
My father worked on them. And then I worked on them. And we had lots of them in the family and they never gave us any problems at all. As a matter of fact out of all the Fords, Chev's, Toyota's, Dodge's and Mazda's in our family the Mazda's did the best overall. That and The RX-7 and MX-5 are both cars that I like and can actually buy. And then you have the rotary engine.

Yet the rotary engines in the RX-7 were never known for their longevity, in fact they are known for blown apex seals at relatively low mileage.
The rest of the FD was also not all that robust.
That being said they are still my favorite JP cars from the 90s.

Quote from: MrH on February 12, 2014, 05:38:17 PM
What?  It never gets close to the actual car unless it's based off some sort of spy shots that give some things away.

Kind of pointless to weigh in on a baseless interpretation of what it'll look like if there's nothing to back it up. :huh:

Meh, they're beautiful renders. Makes me excited for the real thing. Accurate or not.

Quote from: FoMoJo on February 12, 2014, 06:06:41 PM
Sounds reasonable.  I thought it might have something to do with their racing history as well...i.e. Le Mans in '91.

That too.

We've seen no mules or anything leaked from Mazda or Alfa that hint to any styling language that they'll use on this car. We've seen no mules as to what we can base proportioning of what the car might look like.



It tells us absolutely nothing.....it's a photochop/drawing that looks nice.


And that rendering is clearly a Solstice, same thing from the A-pillar back

Quote from: 2o6 on February 12, 2014, 06:56:39 PM
We've seen no mules or anything leaked from Mazda or Alfa that hint to any styling language that they'll use on this car. We've seen no mules as to what we can base proportioning of what the car might look like.



It tells us absolutely nothing.....it's a photochop/drawing that looks nice.


And that rendering is clearly a Solstice, same thing from the A-pillar back

Animals!

Quote from: SVT32V on February 12, 2014, 06:24:10 PM
Yet the rotary engines in the RX-7 were never known for their longevity, in fact they are known for blown apex seals at relatively low mileage.
The rest of the FD was also not all that robust.
That being said they are still my favorite JP cars from the 90s.

I admit it, it's a totally illogical love I have for them. And I understand 100% why others wouldn't have the same love. I'm not a Mustang guy (I hate a few of them) but I understand why some people like them. I on the other hand have never understood the deal with Alfa's.
But that's ok. If we all liked the same shit then things would be dull.

Mazda makes the most fun to drive cars just about across the board when it comes to mainstream economy cars.  Mazda 2, 3, 5, 6, CX-5, CX-9 are pretty much all class leading in the fun to drive category.  And they make the miata.  It's hard not to like the company as an enthusiast.

Quote from: Onslaught on February 13, 2014, 09:26:13 AM
I admit it, it's a totally illogical love I have for them. And I understand 100% why others wouldn't have the same love. I'm not a Mustang guy (I hate a few of them) but I understand why some people like them. I on the other hand have never understood the deal with Alfa's.
But that's ok. If we all liked the same shit then things would be dull.

All understandable.  Personally, I like Alfas, though I don't, particularly, like this rendering.  Imo, they've made some of the most gorgeous cars, especially   up to the '70s...and then there is their racing history.