Could This Chubby Cheeked Roadster be the Next Miata?

The engineers at Mazda never rest when it comes to keeping their one and only Miata up to date. Just the other week, the MX-5 (Miata) Coupe was introduced into the Japanese market, but the spotlight shining on its arrival is about to be shared with a brand new concept car.

The Mazda Ibuki concept, which will be presented at this year's Tokyo auto show, borrows from the past to show the future of the Miata. (Photo: Mazda)

The Ibuki, which will be presented at this year's Tokyo auto show, takes styling cues from the past to predict the future for Mazda's famous two-seat, rear-wheel drive sports car. The Ibuki borrows specific themes from modern Japanese vehicles, incorporating a combination of flat panels and beveled edges, putting it in the same vein stylistically as the Mazda's Secret Hideout concept of 2001 or Nissan's Cube.

Incorporating a combination of flat panels and beveled edges, the Ibuki follows the same styling vein as Mazda's Secret Hideout concept of 2001 (shown). (Photo: Mazda)

Flowing lines curve up from the bumper, tracing the gentle window-ledge outline to the tip of the rear bumper, but not before cascading over the car's nonexistent overhangs. Mazda has borrowed a lot of styling cues from the original Miata that first rolled off the assembly line 14 years ago. The influence on the Ibuki is similar to the method that a company would take to modernize a nostalgic automobile, ironic considering the original Miata was doing just that to European sports cars of the '60s.

Stand back and compare the original, and immediately the borrowed details will clearly become apparent. Though the Ibuki does not feature pop-up headlamps, it does incorporate the ovoid ring-like LED headlamps that sit right on the car's curved front bumpers - strikingly similar to the classic Miata's turn signals. The gaping shark-like grille, with a finely curled lip is set right below into the curving bumper, again very similar to the first generation Miata. Easily recognizable, but slightly more subtle, is the silver-painted trim on the hood, side mirrors, and metallic ovoid door handles, all traits that pull heavily from the Mazda's sports car past.On another level, the Ibuki speaks towards a change in Mazda. As of late, it breaks the sharp-edged trend in its MX-Runabout and MX-Sportif concepts, both of which resulted in the 2 and 3 production cars respectively. Like Mazda's most recent offerings, simplicity and purity take the place of excessive body cladding and monstrous fog lamps. Only the massively flared front and rear wheel arches, filled with the impressive 18-inch alloy wheels, bulge out from the car's body suggesting cornering prowess. Besides, they help to give the car a little muscle, a look Miata fans have often gone to aftermarket suppliers to achieve. Frameless windshield and side windows also help to accentuate the car's exotic appearance, as do the integrated exhaust tips.

With the Ibuki, simplicity and purity take the place of excessive body cladding and monstrous fog lamps. (Photo: Mazda)

Although the Ibuki measures only 3,640 mm in length, which is roughly 300 mm shorter than the current Miata, the concept rides on a wheelbase that is 2330 mm long, slightly longer than the production roadster. How did Mazda manage this? The concept actually shares nothing in common with the current production Miata, but rather Mazda has actually created a custom, chopped RX-8 chassis and fitted it under the body. The drastic modifications, namely the removal of the roof, have been compensated for by a strengthened body complete with enhanced A-Frames, and underbody work.

At 1.6-liters in capacity, the Ibuki's four cylinder alternative-power engine creates a whopping 180 horsepower, backed by 133 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mazda)

As the old saying goes, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue," the Ibuki follows it all, right down to the word. Something new, however is accurate in describing the engine of the two seat roadster. A first for Mazda and a rarity all-round, when it comes to open-top sports cars, is including hybrid power. I'm not talking about the green Honda Insight, but rather a car that has useable power to bring a grin to the driver's face. At 1.6-liters in capacity, the four cylinder alternative-power engine creates a whopping 180 horsepower, backed by 133 lb-ft of torque. Not too shabby, boasting a higher power rating than any previous Miata.The torquey electric motor provides the initial kick in the pants to deliver quick acceleration, before dumping some of the load off to the high-revving gas motor. During less enthusiastic driving the electric drive system assists the gas engine, saving fuel and improving emissions. The engine is seamlessly mated to a short-throw, short-ratio 6-speed manual transmission for optimal get-up-and-go. Seeing as hybrid power is now being taken seriously by the major manufacturers and consumers alike, and Mazda's parent company Ford has already developed a system that will debut next year in the Escape Hybrid, it could be entirely possible that the next generation Miata is dual-powered.

With its shiny silver trim, similar to the current Mazda 6, the Ibuki's interior is stylish but purposely sparse. (Photo: Mazda)

The Ibuki also breaks from the confines of conventional production cars with its alternative-style interior. The theme of the interior is quite simple - stylish but sparse. Seeming like an extension from the silver strip on the hood of the car, the center console stretches from the windshield rearward, dividing the cockpit in two. Shiny silver trim, similar to the current Mazda6, encompasses pill-shaped, electroluminescent backlit controls for the stereo and climate system. A bare aluminum crossbar runs across the front of the cockpit, where the distinctly notched steering wheel sits in front of a simply laid out assortment of instruments.

Although nobody will know for sure until 2005, many believe the Ibuki is an accurate glimpse at the next generation Miata. (Photo: Mazda)

While the minimalism of the interior strikes an interesting chord, Mazda has also pulled off another clever detail that definitely speaks to the concept car theme. The Ibuki features seats much like Volkswagen's Concept-R roadster, a prototype that features molded seats that look as if 'one size fits all.' Proper headrests stick out from the seatbacks, boasting solid hoops that instantly spring up to protect occupants upon the detection of a rollover.

Eagerly anticipated, the Ibuki is what many believe to be an accurate foreshadowing of the next generation of Miata. Though we'll all have to wait until 2005 to see for sure, when the new car is expected to be unveiled, the Ibuki should satisfy our collective curiosity by yielding impressive technologies not seen in the sports car genre.

Specifications:

• Body Type: 2-door convertible
• Layout: front engine, RWD
• Hybrid Gasoline-Electric Drive System: 180 hp, 133 lb-ft of torque, 1.6-L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4 (electric motor assist)
• Transmission: 6-spd manual
• Brakes (est front/rear): disc/disc (opt ABS)
• Web Site: www.mazda.ca