Mazda’s ever-popular MX-5 is due for a facelift next year, and designers and dealers alike are at odds over what it will look like. While the NC MX-5 has drawn criticism from some quarters regarding its “soapdish” styling, that hasn’t stopped it from being one of Mazda’s more profitable models. Dealers in particular are especially happy with the MX-5 and the way it looks and don’t want to see a drastic change when the facelift comes in 2009, meaning that Mazda’s radical Nagare or “flow” design philosophy is not wanted. Mazda’s designers apparently feel the complete opposite, saying that the MX-5 is “never radical enough”, however it seems that for the time being the dealers will have their way.
Whether the Nagare design principles ever get applied to the MX-5 roadster remains to be seen, but as a replacement for the NC is due in 2012 we wouldn’t rule that scenario out entirely. What do you think? Is the current MX-5 not challenging enough for your aesthetic tastes, or is it damn near perfect? Let us know in the comments below.
[Source: Autocar, via Winding Road]
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Bugger the looks!
Regardless of its shape the chassis can handle more power, and this is what Mazda should be concerning themselves with. If Mazda want to increase sales of their already successful little roadster, why not exploit the chassis ability with some extra power provided by a Turbo.
That is exactly what the MX-5 needs, not weird styling just for the sake of being different. That small market of quirky and different is already taken up by the Saab marque.
The soapbar look really does annoy the piss outta me!! It’s not classy Mazda its boring! Such a great car but u make it look like somethin my grandpa would buy
Believe it or not this car shows the way for green motoring. Mazda realy is showing the way for all manufacturers as to how to sensibly aproach the next gen of motoring in adding lightness and efficiency. It’ll do 7.0litres per hundred (about what a prius would get in extra urban lugging around its batteries) and…It’ll put a smile on your dial. that because of how it steers,rides & handles & not because your some self flagilating ecomentalist.
Its everthing a car should be.
What I hear you say “Power”
I dont think they need to add a turbo maybe some direct injection techwizardry. Mazda are even working on Stop/Start tech that doesnt use a starter motor simply by using a partly compressed two cylinders to turn over the motor when you press the go pedal. The engineer that thought of that one deserves a couple of smiley face stamps and maybe a scratch and sniff thrown in for good measure.
Besides a turbo could potentially upset the balance with a big slab of torque ariving down low. Much better to have a “gasser that’ll sing all the way to 7thousand.
& if you like happy endings like I do maybe they could finish it with those Direct shift cog swappers.
Conquistador, I currently own an MX-5 and the model I have was also available for a short time in a turbo version called the SP, you may have heard of it.
I’ve spent plenty of time with an SP MX-5 and it doesnt take anything away from the core values of Takao Kijima the project manager for the MX-5 since its conception way back in the late 80’s.
A Turbo on the NC MX-5 would be a very welcomed edition.
So an approximate 130kw & 225twisty Naturally Aspirated direct injection 2.0 using 6odd litres in a tonne and a bit soap dish isn’t enough for the DanMan?!
As a track tool the SP made sense as the previous gen MX5 with the 1.8 was a bit light on. But on a road when your looking to string a few apexes together without trying to turn yourself into a pap smear i’ll take the naturally aspirated version.
Besides, it would go against the philosophy of the grandfather of the MX5 the Lotus Elans creator Colin chapman.
“Simplicate and add lightness”
Now if they were to get rid of the starter motor that would fit the bill.
Hmmm…I’ll take one of those V8 powered Bullets that Sprintex built. Bugger the weight, hang the turbo, stuff the environment - thats the perfect MX5.
I’ve just got the uiigy board out and Big Col Chapman said
“whooo, whooo…… to go faster in a straight line just add power. To go faster everywhere add lightness” &… “theres definitely no virgins up here”
Haha!!! But overpowered oversteer can be a lot of fun - theres more than one way to take a corner!
However, the most perplexing question thrown up in this debate is “where are the virgins if they’re not with Colin…?”
As a once owner of the previous model, Mazda should be asking why people are not upgrading…
Simple: it’s cute not sexy..and out gunned by a 3 SP
Solution: Add Technology, 1.6 DI Turbo, A Real 6 Speed paddle shift, make it lighter and most of all damn sexy so my wife wants to get in it, drive it and says to me,
BUY IT!!!!
Call me Mazda and i will help remind you off what Zoom Zoom feels like.
Nope, I mopped up all the stragglers here too
The NC MX-5 is ‘the’ best sports car for the money. Ok…its no turbo, but good luck insuring something with a turbo for a similar about per annum. For every day thrills and practicality you just can’t pass up the MX-5. I have just purchased a new MX-5 and am very pleased with the feel of the car and its all round design.
If Mazda scews up the MX-5 with its “very very ugly” Nagare or “flow” design, it will drive customers AWAY ! But another thing that is keeping customers away NOW is the MX-5 engine’s feebly weak horsepower and exhaust note. They better wake up: Toyota and Nissan have 4 sports car models between them that they will be releasing in 2010, 2011, and 2012.