The wait for the 2016 Mazda Miata is over.
The fourth-generation roadster was revealed today at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca,
The 2016 MX-5 ditches the smiley front end
of the outgoing generation for a decidedly less friendly-looking Kodofied face.
Overall, the car is wider and lower than the model it replaces, with a hood
that's "impossibly low," according to Mazda design director Derek
Jenkins.
Unlike the current car's relatively flat
hood, the 2016 model's bonnet features more curves, which flow into the fenders
and across the doors until finally angling up over the rear fenders. The front
fenders were pulled back to give the car a more cab-rearward look. The rear end
features a dramatic taper, which helps accentuate the wide fenders and
redesigned taillights.
The new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata brings the
roadster back to its roots, with an even more driver-focused experience. Now paired
with a Skyactiv drivetrain, the new Miata offers a balance of performance and
efficiency. A new chassis is said to be 14 percent lighter than before, yet
stronger and more rigid. In total, the 2016 MX-5 Miata is 220.5 pounds lighter
than its predecessor. The added stiffness of the chassis combined with a
revised suspension improves handling, though we'll have to wait until we can
get behind the wheel of a new Miata to find out how much.
