New Miata @ Geneva
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New Miata @ Geneva
I've seen nothing on pricing or other specs, but here are some pics. Since it is riding on a modified rx8 platform, the weight as well as dimension figures should have gone up and so it probably will be a good bit bigger in size than the outgoing model which was pretty small. I'm still wondering how it'll compare to the Solstice and Sky in terms of weight, size, price and overall performance.
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Re: New Miata @ Geneva
Originally Posted by Gold_Rush
I'm still wondering how it'll compare to the Solstice and Sky in terms of weight, size, price and overall performance.
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From: TX Med Ctr
Re: New Miata @ Geneva
Yikes, I'm not feelin' that.
From some angles it looks like it is out of a cartoon. And that shade of tan in the interior gives me siezures.
Forgot to mention, I like the way the current generation looks externally.
From some angles it looks like it is out of a cartoon. And that shade of tan in the interior gives me siezures.
Forgot to mention, I like the way the current generation looks externally.
Last edited by HAZ-Matt; Feb 22, 2005 at 03:34 PM.
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Re: New Miata @ Geneva
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101860
No mention of price. Very conservative styling and very much like the Ibuki concept we were told was not a preview of the Miata. It looks as if they wanted to update the car without abandoning loyalists. And as listed above, not really any longer than the outgoing model, but a couple inches wider. The interior looks very similar to the second gen car, and still looks on the smaller side. It appears the top forms its own boot.
Solstice should be a larger car overall and has more power (and likely weight), but styling is subjective...a lot will depend on the feel of the cars from the driver's seat. The Miata already has a strong following and reputation as a quality vehicle.
Sixteen years and 700,000 units ago, Mazda launched its back-to-basics Miata onto a roadster-hungry public. And while the aging two-seater, last redesigned in 1998, still finds favor among legions of driving purists the world over, Mazda felt that it was about time to give the fun little sports car a much-needed makeover.
This third-generation car, which debuts in early March at the Geneva motor show, will draw power from a new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, up from a 1.8-liter engine in the Miata today. The bigger engine will turn out about 20 more horses as well, reaching upward of 160 hp. The torque climbs to about 140 lb-ft.
Shifting duty will fall to one of two six-speed units, either a manual or automatic with a shift-it-yourself-via-paddles option.
Physically the Miata has grown in just about every measurable dimension, with a 2.6-inch longer wheelbase, as well as a 3.0-inch wider front track and 2.1-inch wider rear track. Overall length and height have increased nominally, each by just 0.8 inch, but the Miata is now measurably wider, by 1.6 inches.
That extra width comes courtesy of a departure in styling for the little roadster, which for the first time abandons its characteristic Coke-bottle shape for a more RX-8-like design, complete with flatter flanks and bulbous front fenders. The additional space afforded by this move not only benefits passengers with more hip and shoulder room, but also allows for the addition of side-impact airbags.
Look for a more complete review of the new Miata closer to the car’s on-sale date, which Mazda says will be sometime later this year.
This third-generation car, which debuts in early March at the Geneva motor show, will draw power from a new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, up from a 1.8-liter engine in the Miata today. The bigger engine will turn out about 20 more horses as well, reaching upward of 160 hp. The torque climbs to about 140 lb-ft.
Shifting duty will fall to one of two six-speed units, either a manual or automatic with a shift-it-yourself-via-paddles option.
Physically the Miata has grown in just about every measurable dimension, with a 2.6-inch longer wheelbase, as well as a 3.0-inch wider front track and 2.1-inch wider rear track. Overall length and height have increased nominally, each by just 0.8 inch, but the Miata is now measurably wider, by 1.6 inches.
That extra width comes courtesy of a departure in styling for the little roadster, which for the first time abandons its characteristic Coke-bottle shape for a more RX-8-like design, complete with flatter flanks and bulbous front fenders. The additional space afforded by this move not only benefits passengers with more hip and shoulder room, but also allows for the addition of side-impact airbags.
Look for a more complete review of the new Miata closer to the car’s on-sale date, which Mazda says will be sometime later this year.
Solstice should be a larger car overall and has more power (and likely weight), but styling is subjective...a lot will depend on the feel of the cars from the driver's seat. The Miata already has a strong following and reputation as a quality vehicle.
Last edited by jrp4uc; Feb 22, 2005 at 03:33 PM.
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Re: New Miata @ Geneva
That front end reminds me of the last olds aurora . Its not like exact or nething , but thats what I think of when I see it . Its not as dramatic as the generals kappa's , I think the soltice and sky are still gonna sittin pretty . Both are a refreshing change in this market .
Prediction , sky will outsell them both . IMO , its just in a world all its own , and Im meaning that in a good way .
Prediction , sky will outsell them both . IMO , its just in a world all its own , and Im meaning that in a good way .
Re: New Miata @ Geneva
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From: Toronto, ON Canada
Re: New Miata @ Geneva
I like it, and from the side it reminds me of an Aston Martin.
I am very skeptical of the sub-20K price tag, but then I was also skeptical of Solstice reaching the same goal. Time will tell, but I honestly expect it to be at least 22K. And 2700+ lbs.
I am very skeptical of the sub-20K price tag, but then I was also skeptical of Solstice reaching the same goal. Time will tell, but I honestly expect it to be at least 22K. And 2700+ lbs.
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Re: New Miata @ Geneva
I love it,and not just because i'm biased 
It looks more like they've gone back to the first gen styling which is more to my liking,i never warmed up to the '99-current Miatas. I just hope they keep that weight down.
I also love that we've actually finally got REAL 20K roadster competition with the Skystice,the Capri and Del sol never cut it and the MR2 spyder was close,but the GM twins,especially the Poncho looks like it could really go after some MX-5 sales. For now,the nod would have to default to Mazda just for their proven track record,but hopefully GM put some effort into the twins,their touting better 0-60 times does not put alot of faith in me though
(0-60 times for a miata are meaningless,a Honda minivan can out-run me)...But i guess we'll find out in the fall,maybe this could be the start of a Camaro vs Mustang,WRX vs Evo type of thing we can enjoy for years.
It looks more like they've gone back to the first gen styling which is more to my liking,i never warmed up to the '99-current Miatas. I just hope they keep that weight down.I also love that we've actually finally got REAL 20K roadster competition with the Skystice,the Capri and Del sol never cut it and the MR2 spyder was close,but the GM twins,especially the Poncho looks like it could really go after some MX-5 sales. For now,the nod would have to default to Mazda just for their proven track record,but hopefully GM put some effort into the twins,their touting better 0-60 times does not put alot of faith in me though
(0-60 times for a miata are meaningless,a Honda minivan can out-run me)...But i guess we'll find out in the fall,maybe this could be the start of a Camaro vs Mustang,WRX vs Evo type of thing we can enjoy for years.
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Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Re: New Miata @ Geneva
The shape is generally the same, the wheel flares look a bit forced. This should be interesting. The Miata will definitely still be smaller, but may come within 100 pounds or so of the Kappa cars, with the Kappas having a slight HP and Torque advantage....if handling is similar it will simply come down to which car you think looks hotter. I'd personally buy the Sky in a heartbeat....if I could justify owning a roadster along with the SS. 
