Next-Gen MX5 Prototype Spied In California

[MRnewsBot]

Next-Gen Mazda Miata Prototype Spied In California



The Mazda Miata just celebrated its 25th anniversary, and enthusiasts have been chomping at the bit for any and all news regarding the upcoming fourth-gen model. Now, our colleagues at Motor Trend have captured a prototype for the next MX-5 testing in the foothills of Southern California.

see all 14 photos here http://www.automobilemag.com/feature.../photo_00.html

The car was seen driving with a caravan of other Miatas, including a current-generation model and a very early first-gen NA-chassis Mazda Miata (said to be VIN #15). Mazda development engineer and former Sport Compact Car engineering editor Dave Coleman was piloting the prototype, with engineers from Japan driving the other two cars. When approached by our photographers, Coleman offered no info on the car. But then again, we wouldn't expect him to give us all the deets this far from the car's debut, which is expected to happen at next year's Chicago auto show.

Even without knowing Mazda's secret plans, we can still learn plenty from these spy shots. The test mule is dressed in the current-gen car's sheet metal, but appears longer -- especially in the hood and nose. This gives the car a profile reminiscent of a Honda S2000. The current Mazda Miata's body panels appear to have been cut to fit the prototype, which could explain the strange fitment of the fenders. Our shooter, photo intern Robin Trajano, says the hood appeared to sit lower than the front fenders. It also looks like the side mirrors may have been repositioned on the door. Like the last prototype we spotted testing on the 'Ring, this tester features a vinyl top that covers more of the decklid and rear fenders compared to the outgoing Miata.

At the New York auto show, Mazda showed off the next-gen Miata's chassis, which is said to be stronger yet also 14 percent lighter. It was there that we got confirmation of the model's switch to four-lug wheels, which we had seen in previous spy shots. This prototype also sports four lug nuts per wheel instead of the current car's five. (The first two generations of the Mazda Miata had four-lug wheel hubs.)

But the most revealing part of this encounter could be where the prototype was caught. The next-gen Mazda Miata test mule was seen on Glendora Mountain Road (GMR), one of SoCal's best driving roads and a darn good one for vehicle development. Also telling is the fact that Mazda brought along both the first- and last-generation models, which could mean the Miata will indeed return to its pure, minimalist roots.




Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...#ixzz34HxhlMTg

[—atank—]

Very NC-ish, with a few subtleties..............4 lug wheels!! Pic 14 reminds me of a BMW Z4, short rear, long front end.

[SM16RMSM]

It looks like they done some body work to it since the last time @ the Ring. Its got side skirts and the third brake light sits flush with the truck.

[KAL]

Twin exhaust — looks like something Fiat would have on a new Spider.

[Slampen]

It looks like they done some body work to it since the last time @ the Ring. Its got side skirts and the third brake light sits flush with the truck.

I think the ND will look different that what is shown here.
We will see in 2-3 months time.

[mrmustang]

I think the ND will look different that what is shown here.
We will see in 2-3 months time.

What they see is a drivetrain mule using a NC body modified to play games and raise expectations by Mazda NA

[— Phatmiata —]

What they see is a drivetrain mule using a NC body modified to play games and raise expectations by Mazda NA

^^^ THIS ^^^

Guys it is just a NC body on top of the ND Frame, you have to look for the details to see hints of the ND Miata ie; (exhaust tip, 4-lug wheels, extended nose, 3-pod guages in the cockpit next to gauge cluster, convertible top extends below normal lines, fenders look larger)

Look beyond the NC body

[mrmustang]

^^^ THIS ^^^

Guys it is just a NC body on top of the ND Frame, you have to look for the details to see hints of the ND Miata ie; (exhaust tip, 4-lug wheels, extended nose, 3-pod guages in the cockpit next to gauge cluster, convertible top extends below normal lines, fenders look larger)

Look beyond the NC body

You won't see that exhaust in the ND
Nor the engineering gauge pod (I saw something similar on the Ford GT mules)

[Breezy]

If I'm honest, I'm quite scared of these 4-lug wheels. If they are 4x100 and not 4x114.3, we are all doomed for aftermarket options. DOOMED.

DOOMED.

[—atank—]

If I'm honest, I'm quite scared of these 4-lug wheels. If they are 4x100 and not 4x114.3, we are all doomed for aftermarket options. DOOMED.

DOOMED.

^^Agreeded!!!!!!!!

[Breezy]

^^^ hahaha

[roadsternut]

Camouflaged ND

[— fwdtamiya —]

That's a big butt for Japan, the van makes it that much more obvious. Aftermarket needs to make a flush bumper, like, now. I wonder if we'll get that alignment? There's a good bit of camber on those front wheels.

[— vote4pedro —]

reminds me of a Z4 from behind

[Ihatecars]

I have a strong feeling that is the Alpha version. Well, actually some sort of test mule that's somehow wearing a more complete Alpha shell. That would explain then car being in Japan.

The design elements are too drastically changed when compared to earlier versions of the Miata. The lights are round, the license plate placement is wrong, the nose, the door handles on the interior and exterior, and the crash pads on the interior door cars.

This car has a lot of similarities the the Alfa 8C spider. The high rear bumper, the sport were the trunk and the rear bumper meet, the nose, the rounded portion above the tail lights, etc.

Also, when compared to a confirmed teaser photo of the ND:



I feel the differences only become more apparent.

The trunk lids are almost completely different, the bumper doesn't protrude nearly as far in the official teaser as it does in the leak, the sides of the tail lights seem to have a flatness to them in the official teaser, and the fenders look very similar to the NC Miata in the official teaser whereas the fenders seem to flow more with the body in the leak.