The Mazda MX-5 celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, coinciding with the unveiling of a new generation on September 3rd. We've been getting to know this new generation little by little this year, and with less than a month to go, XCar is reviewing the history of the most popular sportscar ever.
The film compresses the Mazda MX-5's 25-year history into 12 minutes. Since its origins, which begin in the distant year of 1976, following through the contact with the 3 generations, and culminating with the customizable and competitive side of the small sportscar. An excellent way to prepare for the arrival of the new generation at the beginning of next month.
The new generation has been discovered little by little, with the unveiling of the chassis in April, at the New York show, and in recent weeks, Mazda has been publishing teasers in anticipation of the presentation of the new MX-5, where we give the know the latest in the image below.
What do we know about the new MX-5?
As was predictable – for those who have followed the latest Mazda releases – the new MX-5 should be another chapter in the Skyactiv saga. A program that, in short, is a holistic approach to car design, that is, it leaves no "stone" untouched, optimizing the car as a whole, from the design of the structure to new, more efficient mechanics, without forgetting more subjective issues , like the feel of the controls while driving that has been so praised at Mazda.
With the MX-5 being one of the unavoidable references in the Skyactive program, whether in strategies to remove weight from the new generations of Mazda models, or even in the detail of shifting gears, it is to be expected that the new MX-5 will be the pinnacle from the program.
The new MX-5 promises to be 100kg lighter than the current one and will use versions adapted to the longitudinal positioning of the otto Skyactive engines that we already know – namely the 1.5 and 2.0 4-cylinder engines. A lower center of gravity is also to be expected, and as the chassis reveals, the maintenance of a classic architecture of a longitudinal front engine placed immediately behind the front axle, rear wheel drive and independent suspension on both axles.
The great unknown revolves around the design of the new model. Some claim it will be a disciple of the Kodo language that characterizes the rest of the Mazda range, as others claim it will evoke the original MX-5. Let's wait until September to confirm all rumors and dispel all doubts.
Another curious fact in the history of this model. For the first time in its history, the MX-5 will provide its skeleton to give rise to another sportscar. It should be an Alfa Romeo, but with so many changes in the Fiat Group, the brother of the MX-5 should end up bearing the Fiat symbol (the Abarth hypothesis still stands), with specific design and mechanics.