The
Mazda Miata, or more officially the MX-5, recently returned to the market, with a redesigned and reintroduced vehicle. The Mazda Miata was rolled out for the first time in 1990
and much has
changed over the decades, including the disappearance of the Miata name from the
car's exterior in 2006 as part of its third-generation redesign. The Miata's
2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 167-horsepower, a single horse
improvement over the outgoing model. Its suspension has been revised to improve
handling and the roadster gets new front and rear fascias as well as a few
feature upgrades. The new Miata is highlighted by a sharper-looking new
front end. The interior has been modified to be more accommodating with a more
comfortable center armrest and less intrusive cup holders in the doors. Overall,
the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a convertible sports car that is sleek, capable,
well-engineered, delightful, and fun. For 2010, the SV trim was dropped from the
soft-top, and the Sport trim was dropped from the hardtop. The 2010 model has an
MSRP of $22,810 - $28,250.
Miata Power
Three transmissions are offered, a five-speed
manual, a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic with steering wheel mounted
paddle shifters. The only engine available, a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder,
comes in two power levels, one rated at 167 horsepower with either manual
transmission, or 158 horsepower with the automatic. The horsepower change comes
from a higher redline with the manual: 7,200 rpm, rather than 6,700 rpm with the
automatic. The power increase is negligible, but it gives the driver a little
more "headroom" in each gear before hitting the rev limiter or needing to
upshift. The automatic is programmed to upshift before hitting the rev limiter.
Driving the 2010 Mazda Miata
The rev limit for the 2.0L manual model now
registers at 7,500rpm, with peak output of 160hp (118kW) 188Nm coming at
7,000rpm. The six-speed manual gearbox has also been upgraded with new
carbon-coated synchronizer for improved shift-feel. Mazda says that fuel economy
is up for 2010. The MX-5 has rear-wheel drive with optimal front-rear
weight distribution. Mazda retuned the suspension for 2010 with the goal of
improving road feel. It also revised the engine's intake runner for a sportier
sound. A lower front roll center and retuned suspension make the car's response
to steering inputs more linear and enable the driver to precisely trace desired
lines. The ball joints' vertical pivot position was changed to reduce the height
of the front roll center by 26mm. This decreased fluctuations in the vertical
loading on the outer wheel during cornering maneuvers. In the end, the Miata
handles better and is a much smoother vehicle to drive.
Mazda Miata Design
The MX-5 Miata roadster comes in two basic
configurations: a soft-top or a power retractable hardtop. The 2010 model lineup
can be distinguished by a new front-end design, revised side sills, and a new
rear bumper. The character hump in the hood remains, as does the fender flares. A tweaked mesh grille is also more reminiscent of the Mazdaspeed3 (MPS) than
previous designs, as is the new lower intake. The headlights are more shapely.
The rear bumper is also deeper and wider, with a more prominent crease on the
side. The tailpipes are now flush with the bumper. The Miata is available
with newly designed 16in and 17in aluminum wheels. The 16in wheels have five
sets of twin spokes, while the 17in wheels have 10 twisted spokes. Mazda says
the side sills and taillights are also reshaped, but it's mainly for
aerodynamics and they're not easily distinguishable from the 2008's. New
exterior color options include Aluminum, Metropolitan Grey and Sunflower Yellow.
Inside the MX-5
The cabin of the 2010 Miata has gotten an update,
with only minor stylistic updates such as the dark silver trim, new instrument
panel, and new Recaro seats on select models. The revised Miata also adds
an MP3-capable stereo and an auxiliary audio input jack. The Miata gets a
two-seat configuration which provides plenty of driver space. All trim levels include a driver's seat height adjustment, which improves adjustability.
The door and center armrests are now padded and make for a more comfortable
experience. Heated seats, available in the Grand Touring trim level, now have
five settings. The MX-5 comes with either a manual soft-top or a
power-retractable hardtop. Though the hardtop panels store out of sight behind
the seats, they don't sacrifice trunk space versus the soft-top, which is
unheard of in this type of convertible. Though the trunk isn't large to begin
with, it's volume is more than its main competitors.
Summary
The new generation 2010 Miata gets an update in the
latest safety technology. This includes dual front airbags with passenger
deactivation switch, side impact airbags, tire pressure monitoring and anti-lock
brakes with electronic brake-force distribution; electronic stability and
traction control is optional on the Grand Touring trim. The new model has gotten
both an exterior and interior revamp, as has the car's engine lineup, which now
has a 500rpm higher rev limit. The Miata may be new and improved, but what
hasn't changed is the formula: small, lightweight and affordable.