Long Live the Miata? Long Live the MX-5!
It's 6:50am and I have set my alarm clock a little earlier than usual - the usual being around 9:30am or so - because of one reason, I am stoked to be testing out a sweet new ride. Well technically, while it's been updated from the ground up for 2006 it's not new. It's been on the automotive market since 1989 and its iconic roadster status has been, and still is, recognized worldwide not only by the public, its drivers/owners and automotive industry leaders, but even by the Guinness book of world Records, citing it as the best-selling, two-seat roadster to date with over 700,000 units sold. Long live the Miata.
But officially, the "Miata" is no more, making way for its new MX-5 badging due to Mazda's shift towards using alphanumeric nomenclature; a shift that brings the roadster's name into harmony with the current product lineup. Some might speculate the name change is an effort to shed its "chick car" persona, however, according to statistics, 64 percent of Miata, or I should now say MX-5 sales, are to men. How about that!
I should also mention that the 2006 MX-5 is all-new. It shares not a single part, piece or screw with the last two generations, and while it is influenced by the RX-8 to a considerable level, they too share no parts. A
heavy rotary engine or any of its plump parts have no place in a lightweight roadster. The weight issue is something I'll tackle in just a moment.
Before I delve into the nitty-gritty technical stuff, I mentioned above the word 'harmony' when referring to the MX-5's name change. But 'harmony' goes beyond the name. Based on the concept of "Jinba Ittai," a Japanese phrase which translates to "harmony of the horse and rider," or in this case, harmony of the car and driver, Mazda has gone to great lengths to create such an atmosphere with the MX-5 and its driver. And it worked.
 |
| The "Miata" is no more, making way for its new MX-5. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
But officially, the "Miata" is no more, making way for its new MX-5 badging due to Mazda's shift towards using alphanumeric nomenclature; a shift that brings the roadster's name into harmony with the current product lineup. Some might speculate the name change is an effort to shed its "chick car" persona, however, according to statistics, 64 percent of Miata, or I should now say MX-5 sales, are to men. How about that!
I should also mention that the 2006 MX-5 is all-new. It shares not a single part, piece or screw with the last two generations, and while it is influenced by the RX-8 to a considerable level, they too share no parts. A
 |
| Getting behind the wheel of the MX-5, it's now even more comfortable than the outgoing Miata. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
Before I delve into the nitty-gritty technical stuff, I mentioned above the word 'harmony' when referring to the MX-5's name change. But 'harmony' goes beyond the name. Based on the concept of "Jinba Ittai," a Japanese phrase which translates to "harmony of the horse and rider," or in this case, harmony of the car and driver, Mazda has gone to great lengths to create such an atmosphere with the MX-5 and its driver. And it worked.