How reliable is MX5?
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.
Evolution of 'Jinba Ittai'- lighter, stiffer body
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 10 kg compared to the previous generation MX-5.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.