With a history that started in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 is one of the best sold convertibles on the promote. In its 21 being of history, the MX-5 saw three different generations, copious design updates, and even more engine changes. But, the most impressive update has been announced for the fourth generation that is set to be launched in 2012.
The Mazda MX-5 will remain a rear-wheel guide compact sports coupe with exterior design inspired by the Shinari Concept unveiled earlier this year. With the new generation, Mazda will focus on reducing the total weight to less than 1,000 kilos.At the launch of the Shinari concept, Ikuo Maeda, general manager of Mazda Motor Corp.’s design division said: “this design will lead to the next generation of Mazda design and will lead to additional fundamentals.” Guess the MX-5 will be among the first to adopt Mazda’s new “Kodo – Soul of Shift” design language.UPDATE 12/02/2011: British magazine, AutoCar, has offered new fine points on the next generation Mazda MX-5 set to go on sale in 2014. It seems that the current 1.8 and 2.0-liter engines will be replaced by a new turbocharged version of the 1.3-litre four cylinder SkyActiv petrol engine. It will also be built on a new rear-wheel guide SkyActiv platform, which will be known as the S-platform.Hit the jump to read more about the fourth generation Mazda MX-5.Mazda MX-5
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Despite the long wait, we still have to give the new GT 86 the prize for the most gorgeous sports car of the year. Not only is it a sports car, but it also combines elegance with beauty and aggressiveness. Those that fell in like with the design of the concept will rejoice in the fact that not much has changed for the production model. The car’s by and large shape and design was inspired by the Corolla-based AE86 sports coupe that was unveiled in the 80s. The GT-86 is a compact rear-wheel-guide sports coupe with an aerodynamic body that rides low to the ground to improve usage and allow it to cut owing to the air with ease. The fascia is completely aggressive with long slit-looking headlights giving it a mean and intimidating look, as well as an enlarged lower grille and a bold “Scorpion” styling to the lower grille. Towards the back, the new GT-86 gets a new rear spoiler, twin rear exhausts and the “86″ piston logo. It sits on 17″ alloy wheels.
The GT-86’s interior is as sporty as its outside with a flat-bottomed steering wheel with its very own red stitching. It measures only 365 mm, the smallest yet fitted to a Toyota and has been finished in buckskin end. In addition to that, the GT-86 also has aluminum pedals, a navigation system, gauges that light with red neon, digital readouts, and a gray instrument panel that seamlessly molds into the darker dash. The car’s ring is further reinforced by carbon effect trim, a sporting, all-black roof lining, red upholstery stitching, and aviation-style rocker switchgear. It comes with a large tachometer that offers at-a-glance visibility and readability during sports driving. The front seat has also been designed to place forward fantastic comfort, as well as to prevent elbows from interfering with gearshift operation.The new Toyota GT 86 measures just 4,240 mm long and only 1,285 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,570 mm. It offers a near-perfect, 53:47 weight distribution and a center of gravity of only 475 mm.
The Toyota GT-86 is powered by a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-four engine, the result of a joint development between Subaru and Toyota, collective with D-4S equipment (direct injection collective with port injection). With separate twin injectors for both direct and port injection, and a high compression ratio of 12.5:1, D-4S increases potential and torque over a wide range of engine speeds without sacrificing fuel efficiency and environmental performance.In the Toyota model, this engine will only deliver 200 HP at 7000 rpm and maximum torque of 151 lb-ft at 6600 rpm, but Subaru has promised a total of 300 HP for their version. That being said, the base BRZ will come with the same 200 HP that the new GT-86 is sporting, bringing these two models closer than originally anticipated. Subaru’s promised 300 HP will be present in the STI version, chief us to believe that a G-Sports variant for the GT-86 will bring forth the same amount of potential.This engine will be mated to any a six-speed manual or a six-speed involuntary transmission. The manual will place forward quick and precise shifts with a small-throw, while the involuntary transmission will feature sporty shifts proscribed by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifts. Potential will be distributed effectively to the rear wheels owing to a limited-slip differential.
The new Toyota GT 86 will be making its planet debut in just a few days at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. It will go on sale in the Summer 2012. An official announcement for the North American promote will most likely be made in Detroit.The pricing for the car has varied just about every time news about it comes out. It was first reported that it was vacant to have a price tag of somewhere around $20,000, but recent reports have come out stating that the sports coupe could come at slightly more than $25,000. Any way, 25 grand for a revolutionary new sports coupe from Toyota sounds a lot like a bargain.
The first competitor for the new GT-86 will be its alter-ego with the Subaru badge, the Subaru FT-86. Subaru has promised that its car will look perfectly different from the Toyota model, as well as the advantage of offering nearly 300 HP. Of course, that’s for the STI version, which Toyota may tackle with their own G-Sports variant for the GT-86. Toyota has also promised that its car will be cheaper. Who will win the battle? We’ll find out soon enough.