Mazda MX-5 2022.
Mazda has decided on the future of the MX-5: the sports car will retain the classic layout.
The iconic Mazda MX-5, aka Miata, will not fall victim to crossovers, as it happened to other Mazda passenger cars, and in the new generation will retain its main technical features — rear-wheel drive and internal combustion engine.
The current fourth generation Mazda MX-5 has been produced since 2015 (it premiered in 2014) and Western media, who adore this car, are increasingly wondering what will happen to the sports car next.
The recent news about the cancellation of the next generation Mazda 6 and respectively a large powerful coupe based on it, which many Mazda owners have long dreamed of — will the MX-5 be out of business in the new policy of Mazda, aimed at crossovers and electric cars?
It turns out, no: the same person who told us about the winding up of the project of the new «six» — Joachim Kunz, head of Mazda Europe development — in an interview with the British magazine Autocar said that nothing threatens the future of the MX-5, and that this sports car will remain in the Mazda model lineup literally «forever».
The present Mazda MX-5 is offered as a roadster or a targa (designated with letters RF) with petrol atmospheric engines Skyactiv-G of 1,5 L (132 hp) and 2,0 L (184 hp).
Transmission — 6-speed «manual» or six-speed mechanical «automatic» (not available in all markets).
Moreover, Kunz made it clear that the next generation MX-5 will retain the key features of its predecessors — compact size, lightweight body and classic layout with an internal combustion engine.
When can we expect the next generation? There is no exact answer: Kunz said that Mazda considers the normal 10-year life cycle of each generation of sports car — therefore, the «fifth» MX-5 can be expected tentatively in 2024 or later.
The new MX-5 will retain its own unique platform, rather than moving to the new Skyactiv Multi Solution Scalable Architecture modular «bogie» with a longitudinal powertrain arrangement, the first carrier of which was the mid-sized CX-60 crossover.
This platform is designed for fairly large cars, and compact models, current and future, have a transverse engine and basic front-wheel drive, which is unacceptable for the MX-5.
Nevertheless, we didn’t take the word «forever» in quotes above for nothing, because according to Mazda’s development plan presented last summer, the Japanese company wants to become completely carbon-neutral by 2050, which means that by then the MX-5 will either become an electric car or switch to a hydrogen combustion engine.
The second option would really be able to carry the original concept of the MX-5 through the ages, but Mazda has not yet announced anything about its developments in this area, although the topic of hydrogen engines in the auto industry today is gaining momentum.
We should add that the current generation of the Mazda MX-5, despite its venerable age, sells well. According to the CarSalesBase resource, last year the Miata sold 10,547 units in the USA. (+20 % compared to 2020) — it is the best index in its class and among sports cars — that is even Porsche 911 sold worse in the USA in 2021 — 10 042 pcs.
In Europe, the Mazda MX-5 also feels good: 6,861 units were sold last year. (+20%). In the segment of sports cars, only Porsche 911 (15,705 units) and BMW Z4 (7,571 units) sold better here.
In Russia, the Mazda MX-5 is currently not officially represented.
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