The
All-New Mazda MX-5
Evolution of
an Icon
NOTE: This information reflects
preliminary specifications and was correct at the time of printing. However, Mazda policy is one of continuous
product development. The right is
reserved to change these details at any time; please check with your local
Mazda media relations contact.
On
February 9th, 1989, Mazda Motor Corporation made history, when it
unveiled the Mazda MX-5/Miata at the Chicago Auto Show. Mazda had reinvented and reinvigorated the
lightweight roadster with a formula that defined affordable, fun cars for
decades.
Sixteen
years later and Mazda’s relentless pursuit of fun has never waned, with the
Hiroshima-based company continuing to develop and evolve the classic concept of
the two-seat roadster. With the global
debut of the all-new, third-generation Mazda MX-5 at the 2005 Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva, Mazda once
again demonstrates that producing
a simple, lightweight sports car is fundamental to the soul of the car
maker—the result is the ultimate roadster and the purest expression yet of
Zoom-Zoom.
Mazda has long produced unique and exciting
sports cars. The first Mazda automobile
to gain worldwide notoriety was the rotary-powered Mazda Cosmo Sport launched
in 1967. The Mazda RX-7, which followed
in 1978, won the hearts of sports car enthusiasts and two years ago, in 2003,
Mazda introduced the Mazda RX-8 and rewrote the sports car rule book. Its
combination of striking design, spectacular rotary performance and comfortable
accommodation for four adults wrapped in a four-door package is truly
innovative.
To
renew the MX-5, Mazda engineers focused on evolving the lightweight sports car
concept as the all-new car must follow in the tracks of a modern motoring icon.
In May 2000, the Guinness Book of World
Records recognized the Mazda MX-5 as the best-selling two-seat convertible
sports car in history, with 531,890 units produced to that date.
Since that affirmation, demand has held strong. More than 700,000 Mazda MX-5s have been sold around the globe.
Not
surprisingly, when creating the all-new Mazda MX-5, program manager Takao
Kijima not only looked ahead to understand how the motoring world’s needs had
changed since the original Mazda MX-5 was launched, he also looked back to pinpoint
and focus on what made this Mazda so special in the eyes and hands of car
enthusiasts the world over. What he
found was an intensity of spirit possessed by very few sports cars.
Rider and Horse as One—“Jinba Ittai”
In
Japanese, the exceptional soul of the Mazda MX-5 is described by the expression
Jinba Ittai. The direct translation of the idiom is “rider
and horse as one.”
“Yabusame,” a longstanding artistic ritual ceremony in
This
oneness of motion between rider and horse was selected as the most apt analogy
depicting the relationship between the driver and a Mazda MX-5. Updated for the 21st century, Jinba Ittai is akin to the bond between
a single-seat formula-car pilot and his racer.
It is also exemplified by a high-performance sport motorcycle rider at
speed. Jinba Ittai is the essence of Zoom-Zoom.
The
rider-and-horse idiom and the effort to create a car universally seen as “lots of fun” served as the focal point around which the original and the all-new Mazda MX-5 were designed
and engineered. While most sports cars
aim for specific performance targets—such as the time required to accelerate to 100 km/h or cornering G provided by the chassis—Mazda engineers established
additional goals to reinvigorate the lightweight sports car. In essence, this became a celebration of the
simple delights of driving an open roadster. The “fun” was designed for anyone and
any location during sport driving and daily life.
Mazda’s
emphasis is on the feel of a responsive machine that compliments any driver.
The Mazda MX-5 stresses ideal dynamic balance achieved with minimal weight and
propelled by a small but spirited engine.
Factors of secondary importance in other cars—such as the way the open
cockpit is bathed in sunshine and seasonal aroma of fresh air—top the Mazda MX-5’s list
of major attributes.
Heritage and Evolution of Jinba-Ittai
For
Takao Kijima and his engineering team, the first step was acknowledging that Jinba Ittai is what made the original
Mazda MX-5 so attractive for sports car enthusiasts and one of Mazda’s greatest
success stories. The second step was
using modern engineering methods developed by Mazda to evolve the iconic Mazda
MX-5 into an all-new, third-generation edition for introduction this year. To convert the subtle imagery of Jinba Ittai into nuts-and-bolts reality with a body shell, a drivetrain, and chassis components, Takao Kijima wielded a tool called Kansei
Engineering.
Like
Jinba Ittai, Kansei is difficult to translate
into Western terms. Thoughtful awareness
and heightened sensitivity are the expressions that come closest to defining
Kansei. It’s the realization that the
fitness of every constituent part underlies the goodness of the whole, that the
aforementioned synergy between driver and car can be honed so that it can be
felt by anyone who experiences the vehicle in motion. Another Kansei canon is
that every aspect of design, mechanical function, and dynamic response
ultimately contribute to driving satisfaction.
So,
with Jinba Ittai as the point of
origin and Kansei Engineering as the navigation tool, Takao Kijima and his
dedicated designers and engineers created an all-new Mazda MX-5 that’s markedly
better than, but not conceptually different from, the original.
At first, the team thoroughly discussed what should be
retained from the first- and second-generation Mazda MX-5
models, and what to evolve for the all-new Mazda MX-5.
The six key categories, seen below in what has
become known at Mazda as the “fishbone chart”, guided the effort towards the desired “oneness”. They are
styling (inside and outside), touching (every aspect concerned with
the tactile sense), listening
(dominated by the engine’s voice but also encompassing wind effects), cornering (handling dynamics), driving (everything from ride quality
to acceleration response), and braking. The starting point of the new
Mazda MX-5 was this ‘Fishbone chart’.
Jinba Ittai Fishbone chart
Five basic requirements were defined by Mazda engineers
to realize the Jinba Ittai concept.
1)
That the
car would be as compact and as light as possible while meeting global safety
requirements.
2)
That the cockpit would comfortably
accommodate two full-stature occupants with no wasted space.
3)
That the
basic layout would continue with the original’s front-midship rear-drive
configuration with the engine positioned ahead of the driver but behind the
front axle for
50:50 weight distribution.
4)
That all four wheels would be attached by
wishbone or multi-link suspension systems to maximize tyre
performance, road grip and dynamic stability.
5)
And that a
power-plant frame would again provide a solid connection between the engine and
rear-mounted differential to sharpen throttle response.
Minimal Weight as a Virtue
There’s a
natural tendency for curb weight to increase when we try to meet growing market demands. Realizing
that this is contrary to the Jinba Ittai goal and that extra weight would have a dramatically negative influence
on driving, cornering, and braking performance, Mazda engineers made every gram
count. (In the English measurement
system used in the
In its final form, the new Mazda MX-5 is more powerful, more capable, more
comfortable, and more useful. It offers
several new features and further improves occupant protection
from collision injury. Yet, thanks to
Kansei Engineering
efforts, curb weight has only increased by approximately
10 kg (22 pounds).
While
saving weight is a top priority for achieving Jinba Ittai, other concerns were the stiffness of
the unibody structure, the height of the car’s centre of gravity, 50:50 weight distribution and the vehicle’s moment of inertia about the vertical
(yaw) axis. (A lower yaw moment of
inertia quickens the vehicle’s responsiveness to the driver’s steering
commands.) Each of these parameters
strongly influenced the new Mazda MX-5’s overall fun-to-drive characteristics.
A
stiff body structure is an essential ingredient in the feeling of oneness
between the driver and the car. Thanks
to shrewd analysis and the application of advanced materials such as ultra-high-tension steel, the new unibody delivers an increase of 22
percent for flexural stiffness and 47 percent for torsional rigidity compared
to the previous-generation Mazda MX-5. And moving the engine rearward by 135 mm (5.3 inches) was a major step towards balancing front-to-rear weight distribution
and reducing the yaw moment of inertia.
Delightful Design
Seeing
and touching are critical parts of development, so it was crucial that the new
Mazda MX-5 looks and feels like a spirited sports car. This is a discipline of large and small
details—the relationship of the wheels to the overall body shape at the grand
end of the scale, down to the way the shift knob rests in the driver’s hand at
the fine end.
The
original Mazda MX-5 thrived for 16 model years with but one major update. The design of the original 1990 model has been
described as being a classic expression of simple, friendly and fun, for it
carefully celebrated the virtues of compactness and efficiency.
Exterior Design
The
new Mazda MX-5 is clearly the son of its father. Exterior design themes had to include the “fun” factor as well as “modern styling.” To achieve this, the all-new Mazda MX-5 had
to remain approachable and fun, but had to be updated with modern styling cues
to communicate both the simple functionality of a modern lightweight sports car
and the athletic solidity of a true sports car, both of which remain obvious Mazda MX-5
design DNA attributes.
The
most notable departure from the previous exterior shape is the elimination of
the classic “Coke bottle” shape of the contours. The nose and tail are smoothly tapered, as
before, but now the surfaces wrap smoothly between the wheels without
narrowing. The functional benefit of
this change is a wider cockpit with additional hip, shoulder, and elbowroom. In addition, the space needed for side air
bags is available.
The
fender arches of the new Mazda MX-5 are notably more pronounced to accommodate
the substantially wider wheel track dimensions and to provide a more athletic
stance. 17-inch wheels, that are
larger and wider than before, are available to define the corners of the car consistent with Mazda design DNA. The wide shoulder area of the body tapers to a
narrower sill to lend a light-on-its-feet look.
In
profile, the Mazda MX-5 continues the low, flowing
shoulder line established by the original with side surfaces just below the
shoulder creating prominent highlights between the wheels for
a strong and muscular look.
To
accentuate the tapering shapes at each end of the Mazda MX-5, headlights and
taillights are positioned well inboard of the car’s corners. So, in spite of modest increases in wheelbase
(+65 mm / +2.6 inches), length (+20 mm / +0.8 inches), width (+40 mm / +1.6 inches), and height (+20 mm / +0.8 inches), a tight, compact visual image is maintained. (Note: figures based on European model.)
The
high-quality folding soft top is a Z-fold design with one centrally-located
latch handle. In the lowered position,
it fits flush and smooth. The top can be raised or lowered without undue effort
or stretching. A new detachable hard top
is also available (depending on market). Thanks
to a canted rear quarter pillar
and a sweeping rear window, the MX-5 detachable hard top has a modern, aggressive character
that will surely extend this car’s appeal in new directions.
Interior Design
The
interior design themes of the new Mazda MX-5 are simple functionality and
comfortable openness with high-quality craftsmanship to delight sports car
enthusiasts.
A
T-shaped general layout joins the horizontal strength of the instrument panel
to the substantial centre backbone tunnel.
Four round heating
and cooling vents help
establish a straight reference line across the front of the cockpit. Piano-black finish provides a modern
high-quality surface for several areas of the interior. Switches, gauges and driving controls are
precisely designed and carefully positioned for optimum functionality. Five individual round gauges with metal-look trim fill the instrument
cluster. Highly legible markings and
needles are provided and polarized glass covers maintain legibility even in
direct sunlight.
Mazda
designers selected eight exterior colours and three distinctive interior-trim packages. Base models are equipped with tasteful black
cloth upholstery and a matte-silver metallic finish for the steering wheel,
instrument rims, and door handles.
High-grade models offer two attractive choices: combinations of saddle-tan and black leather
on the seats, instrument panel, and door trim or black leather in a monotone
treatment (depending on market).
Safety and Comfort
Employing Mazda’s new-generation sports car
architecture that is significantly stiffer than before provides the base for
the new Mazda MX-5’s safety
systems. For the first time the Mazda MX-5 offers side airbag
protection. A two-volume side-impact airbag is positioned inside each seat
backrest. A single inflator simultaneously expands the torso portion of the airbag and the larger-volume head-protection airbag. This innovative design is light, compact, and
highly effective at providing collision protection. The new side airbag feature is available in
all markets.
To ensure comfort for a wider range of drivers, an adjustable steering wheel and additional movement
for seat adjustment have been added to help drivers with extremely tall or
short statures fit the cockpit perfectly. Storage accommodation is plentiful
for a vehicle of this size. Three
compartments are located on the rear wall (one readily accessible and lockable
with room for 10 CDs, two positioned behind the seat backs). There is a pocket attached to the back of
the left side seat, another one on the
passenger’s side of the tunnel, a bottle holder in the door trim, as well as a covered receptacle for two beverage containers conveniently located
behind the shift lever. The large glove
box can be locked and there’s a small coin box provided for the driver.
Two
features are designed to enhance comfort with the top down. New waist-level vents direct warm and cool air throughout the cockpit to help maintain
comfortable cabin temperature on cold and hot days, making the open-air-driving season longer. A mesh-type
air deflector mounted vertically behind the seats allows some air to enter the
cockpit through its surface, thereby reducing buffeting and top-down
turbulence.
Perfected Powertrains
Engines
A
spirited engine and a wieldy transmission constitute the heart of any sports
car. Two new MZR family
engines—a 2.0-litre for all global markets and an additional 1.8-litre for
Both
engines share a 10.8:1 compression ratio and an 83.1 mm stroke that is slightly
shorter than the length of the piston’s travel in the previous 1.8-litre engine. The bore in the 2.0-litre engine is 87.5 mm versus 83.0 mm for the 1.8-litre
version.
Final
output for each engine will be confirmed as the vehicles go on sale in key
markets. Output for the 1.8-litre
is targeted to be 93 kW/ 126 PS at 6,500 rpm*
with maximum torque of 167 Nm (17.0 kg-m) at 4,500 rpm*. The 2.0-litre European model is targeted to be 118 kW/160 PS
at 6,700 rpm*
with peak torque of an estimated 188 Nm (19.2kg-m) at 5,000
rpm*. Engine output will differ depending on local requirements.
Throughout
the development process, work focused on what Mazda engineers called “response” and “expansion feel.”
A lighter
flywheel, a quick response, an electric throttle and a stiff drive shaft all
helped realize the responsive direct feel of the new Mazda MX-5. The new Mazda MX-5’s engine’s torque curve is held
nearly level at high rpm by major reductions in intake and exhaust
restriction. The result is an engine
champing at the bit as it revs enthusiastically past the point of maximum
torque to the redline, with superior response and direct feel.
Additional
attention was paid to intake and exhaust passages. A 57 percent reduction in intake restriction
was achieved with a large, open intake pipe and smooth layout. On the exhaust side, the pressure loss of the system was reduced by 40 percent thanks to the use of a
high-volume muffler and a dual tail pipe.
In
tuning the Mazda MX-5’s engine sound, a smooth, harmonic note was realized that increases
with throttle opening. Above 5,000 rpm, this becomes
powerfully resonant, consistent with the spirited charge for the 6,700 rpm redline. A
throaty 500 Hz sound through the mid-range reinforces the Mazda MX-5’s feeling
of nimble responsiveness.
Transmissions
Mazda’s newly-developed six-speed manual transmission is available in all markets. Five-speed manual and advanced six-speed automatic, which can be manually controlled by the
shift lever and by steering-wheel-mounted paddles, are also lined up (depending on
market).
Sports
car enthusiasts reap a special pleasure from changing gears by a quick flick of
the wrist. To enhance this aspect of the
Mazda MX-5 character, the shift lever’s movement was engineered for ultra low
effort and a very short stroke.
Triple-cone synchronizers for the first four gears help reduce
engagement forces. In the interests of
efficiency, the 3rd and 4th gear synchros are located on
the counter shaft. The shift rod is
supported by low-friction bushings and lever motion is directed by a guide
plate.
A Truly Entertaining Chassis
Harmonized Driving Dynamics
Achieving
the tightest possible bond between a driver and a sports car is feasible only
if the vehicle responds in
a linear, precise, and highly predictable manner. Mazda engineers invested deep soul searching
on many field trips to agree upon Mazda MX-5’s character and to identify how to
best achieve this lofty goal through chassis tuning.
Two
key words for the feeling they pursued were precise and nimble. The goal was
for a natural, lively feeling instead of the cold efficiency of some well-oiled
machines. While solid stability is
essential for safe driving, the ideal for the new Mazda MX-5 was to develop a
chassis that is keen to alter speed or direction as swiftly as the driver
changes his mind.
Every
aspect of driver control had to be coordinated with steering, suspension,
brakes, engine, and transmission responses.
How the driver’s seat was configured, the distance to the steering wheel
and shifter, the feeling of the brake pedal, the ability to heel and toe, all
played a significant role in achieving the Jinba Ittai
driving experience. The original MX-5 was quantified and higher targets
of opportunity in all
aspects were identified.
Predictable, Lively Handling
Crucial
was developing 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 the 205/45WR-17 radial tyres have to offer. Aluminium was used for some chassis parts to minimize unsprung weight. Attaching the rear cross member directly to
the unibody with no rubber isolation enhances chassis rigidity while
reinforcing the feeling of oneness.
Careful tuning of the rack-and-pinion power steering gear yielded low
friction, high linearity, and delightfully smooth steering response. The net stiffness of the path between the
driver’s hands and the tyre contact patches is increased. Another significant
change is a 75 mm
(3.0 inches) increase in front track and a 55 mm (2.1 inches) in rear track, which contribute to improved handling.
The newly-developed rear suspension is engineered to enhance dynamic
stability by optimizing
the positioning of the tyres on the road. To curb unwanted steering, pitch motion of the body during acceleration
and braking is tightly controlled by the dampers and by anti-dive, anti-squat
geometry. A wheelbase increased by 65 mm (2.6 inches) also helps
balance the stable driving.
Braking
Configuring
the braking system for short pedal travel, response keyed directly to pedal
force and a high degree of linearity is also a means
of enhancing the Mazda MX-5’s feeling of oneness. Front rotors are 20 mm (0.8 inches) larger in diameter for improved thermal capacity and
calipers are 25 percent
stiffer. Brake hoses are less resilient and the power booster is 25.4 mm (1
inch) larger than before. Thanks to these revisions and improved
front-to-rear balance, stopping distances achieved with the four-wheel
single-piston-caliper disc system are exemplary.
Sixteen
years of success with the original Mazda MX-5 established high expectations for
its successor. Thanks to a deep respect
for Jinba Ittai principles and
thoughtful applications of Kansei Engineering, the all-new
Mazda MX-5 is ready to convince sports car enthusiasts that a new triple-zoom
era has begun. The all-new MX-5, after
making its global debut at the 2005 Geneva Auto Show, is scheduled go on sale
in global markets starting in the second half of calendar year 2005. Zoom-Zoom.
|
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) |
Front 1,490 mm/Rear 1,495 mm (58.7 inches/58.9 inches) |
|
|
|
Seating capacity |
2 persons |
|
|
|
Engines |
Type |
MZR 1.8L I4 DOHC 16 Valve MZR 2.0L I4 DOHC 16 Valve |
|
|
Max. output (target) |
1.8L: 93 kW/126 PS at 6,500 rpm 2.0L: 118 kW/160 PS at 6,700 rpm |
|
|
|
Max. torque (target) |
1.8L: 167 Nm (17.0 kg
m) at 4,500 rpm 2.0L: 188 Nm (19.2 kg m) at 5,000 rpm |
|
|
|
Bore x stroke |
1.8L: 83.0 mm x 83.1 mm (3.3 inches x
3.3 inches) 2.0L: 87.5 mm x 83.1 mm (3.4 inches x
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
|
front & rear |
205/50R 16 205/45R 17 |
|
|
Wheels |
front & rear |
16 x 6 1/2J 17 x 7J |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Subject to homologation
# # #