Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible Roadster 2016

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible Roadster

 The design also attempts to heighten the pleasure of driving an open-top sports car by enabling the driver to experience the change in the surrounding environment in real time. When sunlight filters through the trees, for example, or as light reflects when the sun sets.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible Roadster

The significance given to maximising the Jinba Ittai and "Lots of Fun" experiences means that Mazda did much more than simply develop a compact sports car. Rather, the MX-5 was made to be looked at, to perform and respond faithfully to the driver's will, to deliver a pleasing experience and to emphasise the owner's character.

Since the first-generation MX-5, special attention has always focused on appealing to the senses and sensations through which people enjoy cars rather than on sheer performance. Mazda considers the sensation of having the car respond faithfully to the driver's will is one key to achieving a level of driving pleasure that will captivate the heart of any driver. Further refining the sensation of faithful response to the driver's will required a thorough effort to continue reducing weight and make it possible for the car to respond without any lag or sluggishness.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible Roadster

To realise a fundamental reduction in weight for the fourth-generation MX-5, Mazda adopted the latest SKYACTIV Technology and the theory behind it to achieve the ideal body and chassis structure for a lightweight open-top two-seater sports car. The result is the most compact body size of any MX-5 to date. Measures for reducing the body's weight while also achieving superb rigidity included further advancing the concept of a continuous framework adopted since the first generation and further straightening the high-mount backbone frame (a method employed since the third generation) while also using larger backbone frame sections.

Measures implemented on the chassis include integrating it with the body to achieve the ideal structure. This led to using part of the body frame as the chassis frame and joining these parts of the framework in a truss shape to achieve a lightweight and rigid structure that surpasses previous designs.

Another measure implemented to reduce weight involved the adoption of aluminium parts. In addition to outer panel parts already made of aluminium such as the bonnet and boot lid, Mazda also used aluminium for the front fenders as well as the links and header panels for the soft top.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible Roadster

By changing the front and rear bumper reinforcements to aluminium, Mazda reduced the weight of overhanging parts, which lowers the yaw inertia moment and thus contributes to improving dynamic performance. On the chassis, the front knuckle is now made of aluminium, like the front upper and lower arms, powerplant frame and rear hub support. Other examples of actively employing innovation to introduce new materials includes using aluminium in part of the wiring harness, thereby cutting even more weight.