Mazda simultaneously revealed the highly anticipated, all new MX-5 (alternatively known as the Miata or Roadster) two-seater convertible in Japan, U.S.A and Spain and with a projected launch to global markets next year. The all new MX-5 adopts the marque's signature SkyActiv technologies and KODO: Soul of Motion' design language.
The motto for the fourth generation MX-5 is 'Innovate in order to preserve', as the development team searched for innovations that go beyond simple evolution.
The Japanese automaker claims both the interior and exterior evoke the exhilaration of open-top driving and the new MX-5 is the most compact of any generation MX-5 so far. The car is also more than 100kg lighter than its predecessor.
The engine is located closer to the vehicle's centre, while the bonnet, boot lid, front fender and bumper reinforcements are made of aluminium.
The new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions have been specially tuned for the MX-5 while the brake system - with enhancements to its primary functions - provides an optimised posture when braking.
The aim for the interior was to create a cockpit design that brings a smile to the face and gets the heart pounding. For example, the body panels wrap around to extend right into the door trim and thereby dissolve the visual boundaries between the vehicle's interior and exterior. When sitting in the cockpit, the driver sees a ridge line that extends from the upper part of the door trim to the top of the front fenders.
The tachometer and small-diameter steering wheel are positioned on the same axis to create perfect symmetry between the round climate control louvers to the right and left of the instrument cluster.
The door trim and the quarter windows are more compact - with the aim to actively control the flow of air that reaches the cockpit. Mazda claims this would provide a pleasant environment with just the right amount of wind blowing in when driving with the top down.
Other enhancements include the automaker's latest generation Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and MZD Connect, Mazda's next generation in-car connectivity system.
