Proven MX-5 formula to carry on: report

A RECENT interview between American publication Road & Track and senior Mazda executives reveals the fifth generation MX-5 will retain its proven formula of lightweight construction, naturally aspirated petrol power, and the availability of a manual transmission.

Speaking with Mazda chief executive officer Masahiro Moro, chief technical officer Ryuichi Umeshita, and design head Masashi Nakayama, the report explained how Mazda’s low-volume sports car is being engineered to meet increasingly tough emissions and safety standards while continuing to deliver affordability and driving pleasure.

“The most important thing is that it is lightweight,” Mazda chief technical officer and engineering veteran Ryuichi Umeshita told Road & Track.

“The second most important thing is that it is lightweight. That is the key – whatever the future MX-5 is, it must be very light.”

In seconding Mr Umeshita’s comments, Mazda design head Masashi Nakayama said pressure to increase the size and weight of the MX-5 has been prevalent since the current generation ND-series MX-5 entered development.

“When I started designing this fourth generation, there was a request from the United States to make the car bigger, and to increase the power of the vehicle,” he said through a translator.

“I said, ‘do you really want a Harley-Davidson?’.

“When we have to select an alternative out of two, there is a simple principle to make the selection.

“We tend to select the ones whose parts are less expensive, lighter and smaller. By doing so, we can prevent a car from being too big.

“When we consider the next-generation MX-5, we are considering making it less than one tonne in weight, and less than four metres in length.”

The quoted figure will make the ‘NE-series’ (the likely progression from the current ND-series) MX-5 lighter again than the current model, meaning it could develop even quicker acceleration without enhancing the driveline.

“The current power-to-weight ratio is enough,” added Mr Umeshita.

“We don’t think we need more power for the car, because we can fully utilise and enjoy the capability and capacity of the engine already … so my answer is that we are not planning to add more power to that car.

“Basically, this is the concept that keeps the car very unique.”

That’s not to say the engine will be directly carried over…

Mazda is reportedly readying one of its new Skyactive Z compression-ignition/lean-burn family engines for the MX-5, the range or petrol engines designed to pass ultra-tough emissions standards around the world, including California’s LEV IV and Europe’s Euro 7.

According to Road & Track, it will do this by running in so-called Lambda:1 conditions, using “ultra-accurate metering to deliver the optimal stoichiometric fuel-air mixture throughout the rev range”.

“If we go to Lambda:1, then naturally power will go down,” admitted Mr Umeshita.

“But in order to avoid that, we have defined the displacement to be 2.5 litres. So, the power is very good, and the fuel economy will be very good.”

Adding 500cc to the MX-5 will certainly give it the added firepower buyers crave, and at the same time ensure it offers effective power delivery regardless of the transmission choice selected.

Mr Umeshita told Road & Track that Mazda is determined to once again offer the MX-5 with a manual transmission, despite pressure to ‘drop’ the option to help the model meet emissions standards.

“Manual transmission has the direct feeling, the sense of Jinba Ittai,” he said, referring to Mazda’s expression for the unity of car and driver as one.

“It is key for the package, at least for the MX-5.”

With good news like that, Mazda MX-5 fans can rest assured the next-generation model will be as close to driving perfection as it gets. Let’s just hope more news of the incoming MX-5 is with us soon.

With Road & Track