2014 Mazda Miata - First Look
Mazda looks to pare weight from its next Miata roadster.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...4-mazda-miata/

Mazda is getting ready to overhaul the Miata with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a more muscular exterior. A new 1.3-liter engine using Mazda’s fuel-saving SkyActiv technology is going to power this fourth-generation Miata roadster. The engine should be significantly lighter and more efficient than the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that does duty in the Miata range here in the U.S.



This rendering of the 2014 Miata hints that Mazda will keep the overall proportions of the current model. Narrower headlights and a larger grille provide a modest front makeover. A sharp character line extends from the headlights back along the sides of the car, before tapering off near the door handles. It’s a clean shape, one that’s a little less delicate than before but not overwrought with details.

Back to Basics.

This represents a return to form for the simple Miata, which first went on sale more than 20 years ago. The new 2014 Miata should shed a few pounds, thanks to the use of lightweight materials in the chassis—along with that smaller engine. Mazda is making a big deal about SkyActiv, and we were impressed with the technology when fitted to the updated Mazda3 compact.



A high compression ratio, direct injection, and reduced internal friction will help endow the lighter SkyActiv-equipped Mazda3 with better power than one might initially expect, and fuel economy (when compared to the 2.0-liter inline-4) is boosted by approximately 15 percent. For the record, the Mazda3 SkyActiv sedan returns an impressive 40 mpg on the highway (EPA) when equipped with the 6-speed automatic. A 6-speed manual is also available.

Look for the 2014 Mazda Miata to offer the same gearboxes. A manual soft-top should continue, and a power-operated folding hardtop will likely join the range at some point. There is a possibility that Mazda will offer further details about this all-new 2014 Miata at the Geneva Auto Show in March.