2006 Mazda Miata Preview

2006 Mazda Miata (photo: Mazda)

To accentuate the tapering shapes at each end of the Miata, the headlights and taillights are positioned well inside the car's corners. So, in spite of modest increases in wheelbase (65 mm), length (20 mm), width (40 mm), and height (20 mm), ''a tight, compact visual image is maintained.''

The soft top is a Z-fold design with one centrally-located latch handle, Kijima explains, and in the lowered position it fits flush and smooth. As before, the top can be raised or lowered without undue effort or stretching, and a new detachable hard top is also available.

The interior design themes are ''simple functionality and comfortable openness with high-quality craftsmanship to delight sports car enthusiasts.''

A piano-black finish provides a modern high-quality surface for several areas of the interior, and switches, gauges and driving controls are ''precisely designed and carefully positioned for optimum functionality.''

2006 Mazda Miata (photo: Mazda)

To ensure comfort for a wider range of drivers, an adjustable steering wheel and additional movement for seat adjustment have been added to help drivers with extremely tall or short statures.

For storage of small items inside the car, there are three compartments on the rear wall -- one lockable with room for 10 CDs, and two behind the seat backs. There is also a pocket attached to the back of the left side seat, another one on the passenger's side of the tunnel, a bottle holder in the door trim, as well as a covered receptacle for two cup holders behind the shift lever.

To extent the topless driving period, new waist-level vents direct warm and cool air throughout the cockpit to help maintain comfortable cabin temperature on cold and hot days. Also, a mesh-type air deflector mounted vertically behind the seats allows some air to enter the cockpit through its surface, thereby reducing buffeting and top-down turbulence.

2006 Mazda Miata (photo: Mazda)

Kijima notes correctly that a spirited engine and a supple transmission constitute the heart of any sports car, so two new engines power the new Miata. There's a 1.8-litre inline-four for Europe, but we're likely only going to get the 2-litre, 16-valve inline-four.

It features chain-driven double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing, electronically controlled port fuel injection, and coil-on-plug ignition. The block, head, and oil pan are cast aluminium, while cast iron liners provide a durable bore surface.

Final output for the engine will be confirmed as the vehicles go on sale later in the year, but right now Mazda is talking about the 2-litre putting out 160 hp at 6,700 rpm and about 140 lb-ft of torque.

What the numbers don't show, Kijima says, is that throughout the development process work focused on what Mazda engineers called ''response'' and ''expansion feel.'' A lighter flywheel, a quick response, an electric throttle and a stiff driveshaft all helped realize the responsive direct feel of the new Miata, he says.