Rendered Speculation: Mazda preparing sub-Miata MX-2?

[coolmazda5]

We've seen it happen a million times: a small car is successful, then the automaker ruins it by making it larger and heavier to satisfy what it thinks the average buyer is after. Fortunately, that hasn't been the case with the Mazda MX-5, which retractable hardtop option notwithstanding the Japanese automaker has always been careful not to spoil the core elements of the MX-5. So we'll take reports that Mazda is preparing an even smaller MX-2 with a grain of salt. But a small one.

According to the speculation, a future MX-2 would come in noticeably smaller than the full-size Miata, and therefore require smaller engines. Something between 700cc and 1.6-liter engines are reportedly in store, with a turbo at the top end delivering 160 horsepower. No word on layout, but we'd grudgingly expect a front-drive set-up when the purported MX-2 is unveiled as early as 2012.

Sources: Autoblog, Auto Express
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/rendered-speculation-mazda-preparing-sub-miata-mx-2/

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/237940/mazda_mx2_revealed.html

 

[fishdonotbounce]

Me likey a lot. If it was RWD, that little thing would more than kick ass. Can you imagine Auto-x with that??

 

[HKPRO5]

It looks sick...Id sport that!

 

[Falango]

I wanna see a coupe render of that. It would be freakin hot!!

 

[altspace]

*Cough..........put in a rotary......*Cough.

 

[fishdonotbounce]

*cough, no thanks I'd rather have some torque cough*

I keed

 

[stdntDrvr]

that's a good looking little car.

 

[judman13]

I would hump.....err Drive that ALLLLL day long!!!

 

[magnumP5]

Doesn't really look any smaller. If anything I bet we're looking at the next MX-5/Miata design moreso than a MX-2 concept. The styling is right in line with the "new" Mazdas (headlights, front fenders, wheels).

 

[Falango]

Kind of hard to scale it against a Miata since there isn't a Miata beside it to scale it against. Can tell it's got a shorter wheelbase though.