MAZDA Australia says that regardless of a push upmarket for its rising vary of SUV fashions, an identical transfer is unlikely for its passenger and sports activities fashions, together with the treasured MX-5 roadster.
Talking to GoAuto on the introduction of its up to date CX-5 vary final month, Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi stated he was not conscious of any plans in place for an ‘MX-50’ premium variant of the model’s beloved roadster, and that the model’s head workplace in Hiroshima was “not possible” to comply with BMW and Toyota in providing a six-cylinder powered sports activities mannequin.
“Proper now, SUVs fashions are the precedence. That’s the place the market is, but in addition, it’s the place the know-how is correct for all of the components of the world during which Mazda sells vehicles,” stated Mr Bhinidi.
“Chasing CO2 reductions and, to place it merely, assembly buyer expectations – that’s the place the main focus is. Something past that’s simply wishful pondering – as a lot as I’d personally like it.
“And actually, for the MX-5, I feel the reply is ‘completely not’. (A premium variant) would essentially change what the automobile is all about.
“With the present era MX-5 specifically, Mazda labored very exhausting to get again to the unique idea as a lot as doable, and I feel that even when we have been to ask for a premium mannequin, that the reply can be no, as a result of then it simply (wouldn’t be) an MX-5 anymore.”
Regardless of having proven its rotary-powered RX Imaginative and prescient idea (2015) as a possible challenger for the likes of the BMW Z4, Toyota GR Supra and its rear-wheel-drive Kabura idea (2006) as a doable rival to the Nissan 350Z – Mazda has, to this point, performed little to revive its broader sportscar vary.
The RX-Imaginative and prescient prompted plenty of hypothesis about the way forward for Mazda’s rotary program, and certainly the model’s reintroduction of a fully-fledged sportscar line-up.
On the time, it was assumed the RX-Imaginative and prescient would turn out to be the successor to the RX-7 and RX-8 sportscars, replete with a new-generation rotary engine. However with a mid-size rear-wheel-drive sportscar but to return to fruition, and the model’s clear shift of focus to SUV fashions, it appears followers of Mazda’s MX and RX variants must be content material with the ND-series MX-5 already on provide.
The excellent news is {that a} fifth-generation MX-5 is reportedly within the works, with an electrified and supercharged powerplant prone to energy the two-seat mannequin.
Final 12 months, Mazda executives advised UK publication Autocar that it was readying a supercharged model of its spark-controlled compression ignition engine for the MX-5, probably gifting the mannequin with as much as 30 per cent extra torque.
The Skyactiv-X engine will present the next-generation MX-5 with as a lot as 137kW (+2kW) and 240Nm (+35Nm) when in comparison with the prevailing 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G unit, probably seeing the mannequin’s 0-100km/h time drop to beneath six seconds for the primary time. Fortunately, a six-speed guide transmission is tipped to stay commonplace.
Visually, the next-generation MX-5 is tipped to attract on the identical design language featured in different modern Mazdas. Frontal remedies akin to the CX-30 and MX-30 may very well be tailored to go well with the low-riding two-seat sports activities automobile; the angular headlights and upright grille are possible inclusions.
The cabin can also be tipped to obtain a big refresh, including premium tech options together with a digital instrument panel, high-end switchgear and revised infotainment array, Autocar suggests.
Mazda has but to offer any official particulars of its next-generation MX-5 and has given no clues as to the mannequin’s anticipated launch date.
Nevertheless, based mostly on the prolonged life cycles of earlier MX-5s – most of which have remained in marketplace for the perfect a part of a decade –the ‘NE-series’ MX-5 is almost definitely to go on sale in 2024.
