Mazdaspeed Miata

uh? Am I missing something? even a 400hp Protege is still a 'econobox, Protege'...whereas a Viper is STILL a viper. ;)

If fast is all you want, buy a fuggin rocket-car. :D
 
Darin said:
uh? Am I missing something? even a 400hp Protege is still a 'econobox, Protege'...whereas a Viper is STILL a viper. ;)

If fast is all you want, buy a fuggin rocket-car. :D



Very true, But we can't afford vipers or rocket cars :(
 
well this car isn't the mazdaspeed in other country, i.e. australia. see this article from CANBERRA TIMES -- 10/31/03

M AZDA has announced that a tricked-up SE version of its iconic MX-5 roadster will go on sale in Australia early next year. With 700,000 MX-5s sold world-wide, the sweet little soft-top is the world's best- selling sports car and the new version represents the biggest changes the roadster has seen in five years. The MX-5 SE features significant mechanical improvements including 17-inch alloy wheels and 205/40R17 tyres, a limited- slip differential and a turbo- charged engine tuned for torque to enhance further the car's dynamics. Although final pricing has not yet been finalised, a figure of about $46,000 is expected. The managing director of Mazda Australia, Malcolm Gough, says the addition of the MX-5 SE from early next year adds a new and very exciting dimension to the world's favourite sports car. The SE's enhanced dynamic package, underpinned by a user- friendly torquey engine, will further demonstrate why the MX-5 has earned its icon sports car status. It will offer an unrivalled driving experience and great value. The six-speed manual MX-5 SE, which made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show wearing Roadster Turbo badges, also boasts a body kit, a large exhaust pipe and coloured brake calipers. The body kit includes a new front spoiler incorporating an extra-large air intake and recessed fog lamps, a boot spoiler and rear under spoiler. The MX-5 SE, which will be sold only in Japan, the US and Australia, should arrive at dealers' showrooms in the first quarter of next year. Powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 1.8-litre DOHC engine, it delivers a broad, strong torque band and more engine power, while a retuned main exhaust muffler reduces unwanted noise while producing a more sporty exhaust note. In Japan the turbocharged engine is expected to develop more than 124kW and 200Nm with close to peak torque available from 2500rpm to 5500rpm. Australian power and torque figures will be confirmed closer to launch time; however, with a likely torque boost of more than 20 per cent over the standard car, the 0-100km/h time is expected to fall from 8.4 seconds to about 7.8 seconds. The torque boost and a modified final gear ratio has also significantly improved in-gear acceleration. Standard MX-5 models, which benefit from an upgrade this month that brings new-look 16-inch alloy wheels and a number of interior upgrades, produce 107kW (ECE) at 7000rpm and 168Nm at 5000rpm. These revised six- speed manual and four- speed automatic MX-5s will be priced from $40,530. Other driveline changes introduced with the MX-5 SE include a more efficient radiator, an upgraded clutch, propeller shaft and differential, and harder rubber for the engine and differential mounts. The MX-5's acclaimed four-wheel double wishbone suspension has been retuned for the SE with modified Bilstein shock absorbers and coil springs now 20 per cent stiffer, ensuring great handling and a controlled ride. The MX-5 SE rides 10mm lower than the standard car and has new anti-roll bars fitted, with the front bar increasing by 1mm and the rear by 2mm. Inside, the SE's cabin benefits from the upgrades introduced this month to the rest of the MX-5 range. The centre dash now features an alloy finish, while the alloy look has been added to the air vents, door handles and gearbox surround. All MX-5s feature a larger wind deflector for more comfortable open-top cruising with the deflector also housing two rear speakers boosting the total number of speakers to six. The SE also features drilled aluminium pedals. The seat fabric is new and boasts a striking red seat insert. Red stitching has been added to the shift knob and parking brake lever.


And monetary unit is in AUS$. ENjoy the news.
 
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No. The Australian SE is a different car, modified by a tuning shop in Oz. In that way it's similar to the Mazdaspeed Protege.

The recently unveiled Roadster Turbo, aka Mazdaspeed Miata, is a factory effort.

For those of you who think you can outrun or outhandle a Viper with a Protege, you've never actually competed with one. They're very fast cars.

Keith
 
Saw the Mazdaspeed Miata yesterday at SEMA nice car. The VP's car was nicer. I like the Miata coupe also.

/members/BlueMP5Dave/SEMA/ms miata eng.jpg

/members/BlueMP5Dave/SEMA/miata coupe.jpg
MS Miata in background tried to get a shot of the intercooler but it did not come out. It was pretty small but looked to be very efficent.

DG's car

/members/BlueMP5Dave/SEMA/kickass miata hood.jpg
CF hood was amazing

/members/BlueMP5Dave/SEMA/kickass miata.jpg
Sorry lights are so bright
 
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The "VP's car" belongs to DG Motorsports and last I heard it was for sale :) It's the "Blazing Miata", and debuted at SEMA last year. It's got the most beautifully done paint job. http://www.flyinmiata.com/news/DGM.asp

The only change to the spec that I know of is the wheels. I can tell you the Blazing Miata would rip the MS Miata a new one - it's got about 240 whp :)

Keith
 
Keith, any insider updates on the next gen (NC?) Miata?

with the incentive Mazda has right now, and the low loan rate I can get from work, I am very tempted to get a '03 NB, just wondering if the next gen will be worth the wait, or should I just get a new '03 and enjoy
 
No real insider scoop here. I don't think it's going to show before 2006 or so. The Ibuki showcar gives an idea of the general direction of the car (small and light as opposed to big with high power) but don't read too much into the styling or the drivetrain on the concept. I've heard from a good source that there may even be a cheap version with a smaller engine, good news for volume sales.

I can reassure you from talks with folks at Mazda that Mazda knows what makes the Miata popular and does not want to screw it up. They have a much clearer idea of why the Miata has been a success than most owners do :)

Go ahead and get that '03. Enjoy it, and decide when the NC breaks ground if it's the sort of thing you want. At the moment, there just isn't enough information to be able to draw a good conclusion. Doesn't stop the folks on the Miata forum though...

Keith
 
so did anyone take a peek at the MS Miata's headlights?

they look more like a "projector beam" setup than the current ones?
 
The 2001+ cars do have projector beams. One of the press releases from Japan mentioned on Miata.net does mention a black surround instead of the silver. It's unknown if this will be present in the US cars.

Keith
 
looks liek we're getting the "smoked headlamp housings" as well..

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/031105-4.htm

With Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata, we took a renowned sports car and further enhanced its performance with carefully selected modifications, all the while remaining true to Miatas famed spirit,said Robert Davis, senior vice president of marketing and product development for Mazda North American Operations.

Fitted with a turbocharger and air-to-air intercooler, the 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine now makes 178 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm, 25 and 33 percent more respectively than the normally aspirated Miata. The car also features a short-throw, six-speed gearbox and Mazdaspeed sport-tuned and lowered suspension.

To handle the extra power from the turbocharging system, the engine block is modified to accommodate the oil line for the turbo, the cooling system receives an increased radiator core volume, the six-speed manual transmission, clutch and pressure plate, driveshaft and differential all have been optimized, and a Denso tube-fin air-to-air intercooler added.

The already-able Miata chassis gets dropped 7mm in ride height through the use of shorter springs with increased spring rates, Mazdaspeed-tuned Bilstein dampers, larger front and rear stabilizer bars and a front strut tower brace. Mazda engineers tuned the suspension to get the most out of the turbocharged powerplant, handling the brute power sent through the Bosch torque-sensing limited slip differential to the 17-inch Racing Hart aluminum alloy wheels shod with Toyo Proxes R28 205/40R17 80W high-performance tires. All four corners receive silver-painted brake calipers and ABS.

The exterior, colored in either Velocity Red Mica or Titanium Gray Metallic and subtly tattooed with Mazdaspeed and MX-5 badging, sports smoked headlamps and a unique front under-spoiler with recessed fog lamps. From the back are a rear under-spoiler, rear deck spoiler and large exhaust tip with Mazdaspeed logo.

When raised, a black vinyl soft top covers black cloth seats with red centers, red door inserts, and a black leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake with red stitching. Silver instrument panel gauges showcase the Mazdaspeed logo as do the foot pedals, scuff plates, floor mats and body-colored rear view mirror cap. Standard audio is a 225-watt six-speaker Bose sound system with six-disc CD changer and speed-sensing automatic volume control. A black cloth soft top with black leather bucket seats and red stitching are optional with the Grand Touring Packagethe only factory option available.

The Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata is set to go on sale in select North American markets in spring 2004.
 

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