2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata First Review (+VIDEO) - Kelley Blue Book
Although the 2016 MX-5 Miata isn't expected to hit U. S. showrooms until the third quarter of 2015, Mazda flew us to Barcelona, Spain to get some seat time behind the wheel of a few Japanese-spec prototypes. Aside from right-hand-drive and a 1. 5-liter engine in lieu of the U. S. model's 2. 0-liter mill, both cars share identical interiors, underpinnings, and feature content. With that out of the way, here's our early impressions of Mazda's forthcoming flagship roadster. The prevailing development strategy behind the fourth-generation MX-5 came down to trimming excess mass. Combine that with a lower center of gravity and plunging hoodline, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say the MX-5 provides a driving experience akin to an open-wheel racer. On the dynamics front, Mazda engineers left no stone unturned. If our tester's 1. 5-liter 4-cylinder is any indication of what U. S. customers can expect from the new 2. 0-liter engine, we're in for a treat. Because where Miatas of yore lacked usable low-end torque and fell flat on top, Mazda's new Skyactiv-G engines produce 90 percent of maximum torque at 2,000 rpm and continue to develop power in a smooth, linear. Source: www.kbb.com
