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2015 Mazda MX-5 | rendered


Several car sites have had a crack at guessing the styling of Mazda’s 2015 MX-5, but Japan’s Holiday Auto magazine reckons they’re all wrong. Most expect the new fourth-generation roadster to follow the formula used for the recent CX-5, 6 and 3 designs, with the same basic Kodo design morphed to fit around each bodystyle and size category.

However, an anonymous Mazda insider reportedly told the magazine: “The media don’t fully understand the essential elements of Kodo design. That’s why none of their expected designs are close. They forecasted it simply looking at superficial aspects of KODO design.”

Instead, the new MX-5 is expected to lead with an evolution of the CX-5, 6 and 3’s Kodo styling, with the need to remain fresh for the MX-5’s relatively long six year-plus model cycle a key consideration. Mazda is also reportedly keen to retain some MX-5 trademark details: “It’s important to be able to recognise the Roadster (MX-5) at a glance.

For example, it doesn’t use the ‘family face’. It doesn’t have the ‘signature wing’ which goes from bottom of upper grill to head lamps like on the 6 and 3. It’s simpler but still has KODO design features,” the source added.

Following this advice, Holiday Auto has thrown its hat into the ring with the above rendering, which shows a blend of existing Kodo detailing with contemporary MX-5 details, and a few new elements. Key details include the MX-5’s trademark pebble-like overall form, with NA and NC-referencing ovoid taillights, NC-like wheelarch flares, and a reference to the distinctive chrome doorhandles of the NA.

Also evident is the elongated wheelbase spotted in several recent spy photos, with the front wheels shifted further ahead of the cabin. This was accepted as a mere accentuation of the MX-5’s classic roadster long-nose, short-tail proportions, but Holiday Auto reports that this change is a result of Mazda’s platform-sharing arrangement with Alfa Romeo.

According to the report, Alfa requested a more flexible engine bay to allow for a wider array of engine and transmission options for its new Spider-badged end of the bargain. This apparently required the engine to be moved ahead of the firewall – rather than within it – unlike the current MX-5, and the front axle line to also be brought forward to a similar degree to maintain the roadster’s balanced weight distribution targets.

Holiday Auto reports that this has not impinged on the new MX-5’s ambitious sub-1000kg overall weight target, as the new flat firewall is able to deliver the required strength without the added bracing – and therefore weight - needed by the existing MX-5’s design.

In Mazda guise, the new model is expected to be produced with 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre versions of Mazda’s Skyactiv-G petrol engine, but like previous generations Australian models are likely to be limited to the more powerful of the two. This 2.0-litre is currently available in the CX-5 and the new 3, but will likely be boosted beyond their Regular 91RON fuel burning 114kW/200Nm tune to suit the sportier MX-5. A Premium 95RON tune should see the engine easily exceed the 118kW/188Nm produced by the current 2.0-litre MX-5 when fuelled with 95RON.

This should result in a significant performance lift if Mazda succeeds with its 1000kg weight target, which would nearly match the 950kg original model, and undercut the current model by at least 167kg. “Everyone will be quite surprised once the mass production car spec is announced,” Holiday Auto’s source added.

As for when we’ll see the finished product, the Holiday Auto report suggests we’ll see a drip-feed of information as with the new 3, unlike a traditional tell-all motor show reveal. This could see the new model’s bare chassis being revealed first – as Volkswagen did with the Mk7 Golf – sometime this year. 

The original MX-5 was unveiled 25 years ago this month at the Chicago motor show, and the completed fourth-generation of the world’s best-selling roadster could make its official first appearance at the same show on its 26th anniversary in 2015.

This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn

 

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