Mazda Claims Americans Aspired to Transform the Miata into a 'Harley-Davidson'
Mazda
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A key aspect of the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s lasting charm is that it has remained relatively unchanged on paper for the past 36 years. It continues to be nimble, budget-friendly, enjoyable to drive, and powered by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. It hasn’t transformed into a crossover or expanded its trim levels. However, maintaining the roadster's original essence has been challenging, and Mazda has notably declined requests from the U.S. to increase its size.
“When I began designing this fourth generation, there were pleas from the United States to enlarge the car and boost its power,” said Mazda design chief Masashi Nakayama to Road & Track. “I responded, ‘Do you really want a Harley-Davidson?’”
The notion that “bigger is better” might apply to trucks and SUVs, but Mazda maintains that it doesn't align with the Miata's image. There was no need to reshape the model into a bulkier, modern-day Toyota Camry Solara, as it stands out as one of the top-selling roadsters worldwide. It’s undoubtedly a niche model, but it boasts a remarkably dedicated fan base.
Nakayama succeeded in his vision, and the fourth-generation Miata was launched in 2015, maintaining a similar footprint to the original model introduced in 1989. For comparison, the current Miata measures around 154 inches in length and weighs roughly 2,366 pounds, while the first-generation model, produced until 1997, was 155 inches long and weighed about 2,210 pounds. This represents an almost negligible weight increase, especially considering the current Miata has gained approximately 70 horsepower and 51 lb-ft of torque.
It’s important to note that the 181-hp engine wasn’t available until the 2019 model year; at its debut, the 2.0-liter produced 155 hp.
The Next-Gen Miata
As the current Miata approaches its 10th model year in 2026, it's no surprise that Mazda has begun developing a fifth-generation version. Internally referred to as “NE,” this model will need to adhere to increasingly stringent safety and emissions standards in major global markets. Balancing regulatory demands while managing price and weight will be challenging, but Mazda is optimistic about achieving this. Enthusiasts can take comfort in knowing that the fundamental essence of the Miata is likely to remain intact.
“What defines the MX-5? I would argue the most crucial aspect is its lightweight nature, and the second most important thing is its lightweight. That is essential. Whatever the future MX-5 may be, it must be extremely light,” stated Mazda CTO Ryuichi Umeshita to Road & Track.
The upcoming Miata could surprisingly weigh even less than the current model. Nakayama indicated that the brand is contemplating making the roadster “less than one ton in weight and less than four meters in length,” which corresponds to 2,200 pounds and 157 inches, respectively. The trade-off may be that the next Miata won’t provide a substantial increase in power compared to its predecessor. However, there is a caveat.
To comply with regulations without sacrificing power, the Miata will require a larger-displacement engine. Umeshita announced that the next MX-5 will debut with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, the largest engine ever offered in the roadster. Part of the upcoming SkyActive Z engine family, it will continue to drive the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. It's reassuring to know that Mazda is not prepared to abandon the manual transmission just yet, although it's reasonable to expect that an automatic option will also be available at an additional cost.
Regarding an electric version, that’s not in the cards unless absolutely necessary.
“If all internal combustion engines were banned, we would have no choice. Of course, our engineering team is exploring both options: Battery EV and ICE Miata. But whatever we decide, the ICE model is lighter,” Umeshita concluded.
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Mazda Claims Americans Aspired to Transform the Miata into a 'Harley-Davidson'
Luckily, Mazda has announced that the next-generation Miata will continue to be a lightweight, manual transmission roadster.