2006 Mazda Miata Preview

2006 Mazda Miata (photo: Mazda)

The new engine's torque curve is held nearly level at high rpm by major reductions in intake and exhaust restriction, which results in ''an engine champing at the bit as it revs enthusiastically past the point of maximum torque to the redline, with superior response and direct feel.''

There was also attention paid to the sound of the engine, so that a ''smooth, harmonic note was realized that increases with throttle opening.'' Above 5,000 rpm, this becomes powerfully resonant and ''consistent with the spirited charge for the 6,700 rpm redline.''

To enhance this gear-shifting fun of the Miata, the shift lever's movement was engineered for ultra low effort and a very short stroke, so triple-cone synchronizers for the first four gears help reduce engagement forces, and in the interests of efficiency the 3rd and 4th gear synchros are located on the counter shaft. The shift rod is supported by low-friction bushings and lever motion is directed by a guide plate.

2006 Mazda Miata (photo: Mazda)

''Achieving the tightest possible bond between a driver and a sports car is feasible only if the vehicle responds in a linear, precise, and highly predictable manner,'' says Kijima. So Mazda engineers ''invested deep soul searching on many field trips to agree upon Miata's character and to identify how to best achieve this lofty goal through chassis tuning.''

''Precise'' and ''nimble'' were two key words for the feeling they pursued, as the goal was for a natural, lively feeling instead of the cold efficiency of some well-oiled machines. Kijima notes that, ''while solid stability is essential for safe driving, the ideal for the new Miata was to develop a chassis that is keen to alter speed or direction as swiftly as the driver changes his mind.''

To get to the ultimate Jinba Ittai experience, says Kijima, every aspect of driver control had to be coordinated with steering, suspension, brakes, engine, and transmission responses. ''How the driver's seat was configured, the distance to the steering wheel and shifter, the feeling of the brake pedal, the ability to heel and toe -- all played a significant role in achieving that driving experience. The original MX-5 was quantified and higher targets of opportunity in all aspects were identified.''

2006 Mazda Miata (photo: Mazda)

On the stiffer architecture Kijima's team hung a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension system with optimized geometry to ''extract the best the 205/45WR-17 radial tires have to offer.''

Aluminium was used for some chassis parts to minimize unsprung weight, and attaching the rear cross member directly to the unibody with no rubber isolation enhances chassis rigidity while reinforcing the feeling of oneness.

Careful tuning of the rack-and-pinion power steering gear yielded low friction, high linearity, and ''delightfully smooth'' steering response. The net stiffness of the path between the driver's hands and the tire contact patches is also increased.