Mazda MX5 Miata: The Mazda MX5 Miata was designed as a two seater sports car, which was manufactured in Hiroshima, Japan in 1989. It is now in its 3rd generation of production. It was considered a small roadster that was light weight and very little mechanical trouble, fashioned after the British roadsters of the 60’s. They were priced between $19 AND $26,000.00 in the United States, but in 2008 the prices were adjusted due to the inflation rate.

 

It had a rear wheel drive layout, and a front engine with a 5 speed manual transmission. It also had a four wheel independent double wishbone suspension. Many of the Miata’s featured limited slip differentials and an anti locking brake system. The older cars only weighed a little over a ton, but they had 120 bhp power, where the newer cars were built heavier, and had a much higher engine power. The Miata has won over 150 awards since its introduction.

 

During the first generation the Miata had to fit into five different requirements.

1. It had to be as compact and light as possible and still keep to all the global safety requirements.

2. The vehicle had to comfortably seat two occupants and not have any wasted space.

3. The MX 5 had to keep its 50:50 weight distribution by keeping the engine in the front and the rear wheel drive configuration.

4. It had to have a wishbone suspension system on all four wheels in order to maximize tire performance.

5. And to maintain a good throttle response the MX5 would have to have a power plant frame to provide solid connections between the rear mounted differential and the engine in the front.

 

The second generation was introduced in 1998, it had a more powerful engine. The power output had 142 bhp with 116 ft lbf of torque. The BP 4W 1.8 liter engine went through a compression update increasing the ratio from 9.0:1 to a 9.5:1, by installing domed pistons, and the cam was changed to a solid lifter with a stronger cam design. The head was straightened and the intake manifold was rerouted to a higher position. A variable intake control system was developed to change to a free flowing, short manifold that would maximize breathing at higher rpm’s.

 

1999 brought about a six speed transmission and Bilstein shock absorbers. The performance brought about a lower top speed but had faster acceleration. 2001 also saw some exterior changes; some cockpits were installed with a white face and red number instrument panels. The seats were also changed to provide more support in g the sides and taller headrests. The Mazda MX5 Miata received 16 inch wheels and low profile tires. The front and rear brakes were now larger than the ones before.

 

The third generation came about in 2005; the suspension was changed from a 4 wheel double wishbone multilink rear setup. Stability and traction control were added to increase the drivability. In the W.S. the engine changed to a 16 valve, 2.0 liter, MZR14, that produced 166 bhp and 140 ft lbf torque that was coupled to a 5 or a 6 speed automatic transmission.