This! I still am amazed that they were able to do all of that and keep it as light as they did! The fact that is weighs about what an NA does and it has all the creature comforts and safety features of a modern day car is incredible!Quote:
Originally Posted by kung fu jesus
They definitely achieved a lot in regards to keeping it light but still comfortable inside... And as said considering they managed to squeeze what four or six air bags in there too..... Uncanny....
There is some good that comes out of the Fiat, it shares the exact same interior as the ND, but is covered in luxurious Italian leather and finesse.... I reckon the panels would bolt straight up, carbon copies...
I really like the exterior of the ND, and the fact that it is/looks really small and tidy compared to the 124. However, I have been in an Abarth 124 and the interior is amazing indeed in terms of finishing. And those Recaro seats...
Despite the fact that I'm not all that excited about the exterior of the ND, I think the interior is as nice a design as any car out there. It's really top notch without being fussy in any way. I couldn't have asked for a nicer interior design (again, just my opinion).
I like the overall design of both exterior and interior, just don't like the infotainment package, wish it was an option only, to me it looks strange sticking up in the dash. Also waiting on different colors to come out and hopefully some Special / Limited editions with different goodies IE: Special colors and / or interiors like Mazda did with 1995 Laguna Blue and Tan or 93LE, :bow: And a Mazdaspeed with a factory turbo in Blazing Yellow with a black stripe or Candy Apple Red with light Gray seats would be really nice! :slayer:
Retro all the way for me!
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Personally I like it the way it is. Either soft top or RF. Having seen an RF in person is it sleek and aggressive to me. I like it the way that it is. They have pulled of a bit of an 'expensive' design style with the sweeping lines, and the aggressive face. I love every part of it, it is just the perfect modern car to me. IMHO it looks better than some of the newer Ferrari's, Lambo's and even Mercs. The only thing is, is that the designer(s) really just needed to get loose and go f*** it and throw any colour they could think of at it. Something rash, bashful and that makes a statement in the world of colours chosen from a Rock wall, and insired by the roads it will drive on. Grey and bleak.
(On a side note, who the hell designed that hardtop. It really looks repulsive and f***s the flow and design of the ND up.)
That was a bit of a ramble but oh well. :roll:
Hardtops are almost always an after thought to give people choices and appeal to the few people that might otherwise have not been interested without a hardtop option, people expect too much nowadays. They want a comfortable grand tourer that's also sporty with loads of feedback... :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by MX5Wisher
They've designed the RF and Softop exclusively to what people want. I can't see why someone would buy a softwood with the optional hardtop when the RF exists. A huge chunk of Miata owners would love a fastback option, enough that a lot of people have attempted to make their own, they have listened to the community which is impressive, most car makers build what they want, not what the people buying them want.
That, and the side profile of the car looks amazing. Some of us just can't afford a 911 :lol:
I'll say it again though, the ND is the ONLY car on the market right now that I'd buy new
There was the Ibuki concept in the early/mid '00s that demonstrated Mazda considered retro styling for the NC.
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Design has so many subjective and objective constraints that the styling is really sort of the easy/fun part. I think of the NC as a late bloomer. Its not a horrible car, just too much of a departure from the previous two generations that people dismissed it too readily. It also shared the RX8 platform, which was also a departure. The NC Miata is much like the 996 Porsche 911. Purists hated the car and Porsche designed it to share many other parts and components with other cars in their product lineup. It lost some of it's uniqueness, but helped save the company from collapse. As the NC evolved through a few styling updates, and mechanical improvements, I started to appreciate it more. I am especially fond of the NC3s. I "get it" now.
Mazda was torn between distinctly different consumer bases with the Miata after the NC came out. It saw the fans of the older models, mostly younger drivers, and the fans of the newer model (NC) and they were older drivers. How do please both groups when you want to draw the younger drivers to buying the new one without alienating the other? Add in a global financial crisis, slumping sales, segment market competition, and a huge, upcoming generation emerging as dominant consumers, it's a minefield.
Every marque has models that are controversial. The Porsche example, BMW breaking new ground with their "flame surfacing" design language, even Mercedes is altering their language, where all three are typically more evolutionary in their model progression, versus revolutionary. I think if you look at Mazda products as a whole, among the generations, the ND fits the family of products as closely as the NB did for it's time (look at the MX6, 929, RX-7), but the Miata has never set the language for them, it's not their top line car. The NB follows the design of the previous mentioned cars, and the ND is following a similar path, though in short order.
The interior of the ND is really quite good, but it frustrates me that Mazda is so conservative with it in terms of material, colors, and finishes. It BEGS to be bold, but it's quite reserved. It's either for cost, or conservation. They need the ND to be successful for the model to continue. I suspect they may open it up a bit if it is. For now, they are relying on their engine technology and success of other models (CX lineup, Mazda 3 & 6) to carry them through. The Miata is a small segment car that just happens to sell well because of it's formula.
+1
Whilst on the topic of the new engine tech, I recently read somewhere that the next generation (or revision) of their SkyActiv engines were to be built with an 18:1 compression ratio and not use spark plugs :frantic:
If they pull that off then damn, that's a milestone :lol:
I believe they already have pulled it off if I'm not mistaken.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarylSibcy
Regarding the styling of the ND...
I'm more of a Retro guy myself and am drawn to the classic lines of years gone by and although it is a bit contrived, I like it when cars like the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger are designed to draw upon their heritage.
I saw that mock up of the retro inspired ND a while ago and I thought, "What a shame." That said I like the design of the ND as it is. It stands on its own to me.
Seeing the design direction that Mazda is heading with the latest concept cars and it is difficult not to get excited about the next generation of the MX-5. If it looks half as beautiful as the last two Mazda concept cars it will be a hit out of the ball park.
If they put it into a Miata, they would probably tune it to 155 hp :frantic:Quote:
Originally Posted by DarylSibcy
Yes, I read about the ignitionless engines Mazda is developing, it's very interesting!
I think something to consider is that the NA Miata is styled very closely from British roadsters of the 60s. If you consider the Mustang and Camaro as original designs, then their current designs that nod to their origins makes sense (love the new Mustang, BTW). Mazda really had to move forward because a retro design styled from other retro designs is really muddy. They learned some valuable lessons from the NC, so I think the ND is a great correction towards the future.
I think Mazda is tone deaf to the American consumer. Being Japan’s smallest car company that could, you would think they’d listen to 20 years of feedback and install the same 360hp motor in the Miata as they did their Speed3s.
The modern concept of Mazda's horse & rider as one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Agent☣Orange
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3OjPBJpIbCg/hqdefault.jpg
I think Mazda should have installed the 2.5 liter engine. That would have been ideal for power & torque while having control at the limit with a normal aspirated engine.
Then later offered a turbo version.
Both being out of their parts bin.
If I would guess, the reason they did not do that is because of the Fiat 124 version. They did not want to significantly out-shine that model.
But in retrospect, they should have gone it alone and shot for BRZ/Toyota 86 market share to get production volume rather than the Fiasta option.