Mazda Motor Corporation revealed the all-new MX-5 to the world at a press conference
held today at the 75th Geneva International Motor Show (Salon International
de l’Auto in Geneva). Updated, improved, and at long last unleashed,
the all-new, third-generation Mazda MX-5 is the latest and most-advanced
evolution of the world’s best-selling lightweight sports car. Takao
Kijima, program manager for the new vehicle, said, “Our effort with
the all-new 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 MX-5 (known as the Roadster in Japan) debuted at the Chicago Auto
Show in February 1989, and since then Mazda has relentlessly pursued the
fun found in a lightweight, open sports car. The Japanese expression jinba
ittai (meaning the oneness of motion, “rider and horse as one”)
best describes this evolved MX-5’s “fun-to-drive” character.
Development focused on creating a car that would be enjoyable in any driving
situation--whether it is sports driving or just daily use. It was designed
and engineered to achieve a dynamic balance between a powerful engine
and a more lightweight, compact body.
The all-new MX-5 will be launched in global markets in the latter half
of 2005.
All-New Mazda MX-5
Evolution of “Jinba Ittai”- lighter, stiffer
body
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For improved performance, safety, comfort and also to
be more useful, Mazda employed a variety of new equipment
and technologies to find any possible way to minimize weight
and achieve a lighter model. The result: a total increase
for the entire vehicle weight of only about 10kg
compared to the previous generation MX-5. |
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Utilizing advanced materials such as ultra-high-tension
steel, the new MX-5’s unibody delivers an increase
of 22 percent for flexural stiffness and 47 percent for
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. |
Delightful Design - Fun and Modern Styling
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The low, flowing shoulder lines established in the original
roadster are still there. Long associated with being approachable
and fun, the new version was further transformed into a
lightweight sports car of simple functionality and athletic
solidity, both of which remain obvious design DNA attributes.
The fender arches are more pronounced for wider wheeltrack
dimensions, providing a more athletic stance. |
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The interior design themes of the new Mazda MX-5 are
simple functionality and comfortable openness with high-quality
craftsmanship. Four round heating and cooling vents help
establish a straight reference line across the front of
the cockpit. Several areas of the interior consist of a
Piano-black finish that render a modern, high-quality surface.
Five round gauges 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 colors are available. With base models,
tasteful black upholstery and a matte-silver metallic finish
can be selected. High-grade models offer two choices: a
combination of saddle-tan and black leather or black leather
in a monotone treatment. |
Improved safety and comfort
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Although the new MX-5 is an open car boasting the Mazda
Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System,
Mazda sought--and achieved--higher collision safety performance.
Newly developed side airbags protect the torso, and it
is also equipped with a larger-volume head protection airbag. |
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Various types of body statures can comfortably fit in
the cockpit driver’s seat. New waist-level vents
and a mesh-type air deflector mounted behind the seats
improve ventilation inside the cabin for an improved sense
of open-air motoring. |
Perfected Powertrain
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Equipped with a newly developed 2.0-liter MZR engine
in all markets, models with a 1.8-liter engine are available
for the European market. |
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Throughout the engine development, work focused on what
engineer’s call “response”, “expansion
feel” and “pleasant engine sound.” A
lighter flywheel and a stiffer drive shaft contributed
to realizing the responsive, direct feel of the new MX-5.
Also, a 57 percent reduction in intake restriction was
achieved. Pressure loss in the exhaust system was reduced
40 percent to keep the engine torque curve nearly level
at high rpm. Furthermore, the intake manifold and the intake
and exhaust system were tuned, and the engine sound that
resulted is one of the pleasant appeals of the new MX-5. |
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The newly developed 6-speed manual transmission is available
in all markets. Shifting gears is a breeze--seems like
just a flick of the wrist--when using the triple-cone synchronizers
for the first four gears. The gearshift lever can also
manually control five-speed manual and advanced six-speed
automatic transmissions. |
Predictable, lively handling
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Realizing a light-but-stiff unibody that serves as the chassis
foundation, a double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear
suspension system with optimized geometry help extract the best
that 205/45WR-17 radial tires have to offer. Aluminum was used
for some chassis parts to minimize unsprung weight, and attaching
the rear cross member directly to the unibody with no rubber isolation
enhances chassis rigidity while reinforcing the driver’s
feeling of oneness with the car. |
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Unwanted steering and pitch motion of the body during acceleration
and braking are tightly controlled by anti-drive, anti-squat geometry.
Also, a 65 mm (2.56 inches) increase in the wheelbase helps balance
the stable driving. |
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The rack-and-pinion power steering gears yields low friction,
high linearity, and delightfully smooth steering responses. Another
significant change that induces improved handling is a 75 mm (3.0
inches) increase in the front track and a 55 mm (2.1 inches) increase
in the rear track. |
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Class-leading level stopping distances are achieved in the new
MX-5 because front and rear rotors are increased in diameter and
calipers are increased in its stiffness to engineer a precise brake
pedal response with a high degree of linearity. |
Mazda MX-5 Major Specifications
| Dimensions |
Overall length
|
3,995 mm (157 inches) |
| Overall width |
1,720 mm (67.7 inches) |
| Overall height |
1,245 mm (49 inches) |
| Wheelbase |
2,330 mm (91.7 inches) |
| Track (front&rear) |
1,490 mm/1,495 mm (58.7 inches/58.9 inches) |
| Seating Capacity |
2 persons |
| Engines |
Type |
MZR 1.8L Inline 4-cylinder DOHC 16 valve
MZR 2.0L Inline
4-cylinder DOHC 16 valve |
| Max. output (target) |
1.8L: 93kW<126PS>/6,500 rpm
2.0L:
118kW<160PS>/6,700 rpm |
| Max torque (target) |
1.8L: 167N·m<17.0kg-m>/4,500
rpm
2.0L: 188N·m<19.2kg-m>/5,000 rpm |
| Bore x stroke |
1.8L: 83.0 mm (3.3 inches)×83.1
mm (3.3 inches)
2.0L: 87.5 mm(3.4 inches)×83.1 mm
(3.3 inches) |
| Transmission |
Type |
5-speed MT
6-speed MT
6-speed AT |
| Steering |
Type |
Rack and pinion |
| Suspension |
Front/Rear |
Double wishbone/Multi-link |
| Brakes |
Front/Rear |
Ventilated disk/Solid disk |
| Tires & wheels |
Tires
|
16”: 205/50R 16 (front & rear)
17”: 205/45R
17 (front & rear) |
| Wheels |
16”: 16×6 1/2J (front & rear)
17”:
17×7J (front & rear) |
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Please note that figures in the specifications included
in this press information may differ depending on market.
Data may change without notification. |
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A new, exclusive website dedicated to the all-new MX-5
will go online at 9:00 am on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at http://www.mazda.com/product/mx-5/.
Please visit the website for a look at the content, which
will feature enhanced and updated content. |
| *Note: |
The Geneva International Auto Show opens to the press
on March 1st and 2nd and opens to the general public from
March 3rd through March 14th, 2005. |
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