nookiemonster

Here's what the Miata is speculated to look like when it's revealed at the Geneva Auto Show this March. The latest images appear in Japan's BEST CAR magazine's January issue. I find the nose (especially the oval mouth) to be heavily reminiscent of the Ibuki concept car from 2003. The fender flares are definitely 8-ish, and the rear end recalls the first generation NA.

A nearly-full translation of the article can be found in m477's post here , on Miataforum.

Enjoy!

robbclark1

iTrader: (8)

180hp? NA or turbo? Is the chassis the same?

I agree that the miata styling has never been long standing. That is, it goes out of style really quickly. However, because of its popularity in the autox/road racing crowd Mazda really hasn't cared too much. Why fix it if it ain't broke. Nothing really outstanding about the car this year. Looks a little different but still a miata. I am just glad they didn't make it look like the Rx-8 as I had seen spy shots where it looks just like a mini Rx-8. Thumbs up overall.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

Hey at least it has a different look instead of copying all the other cars.

02boostlessCIV

to tell you the truth, its the same car and has same looks as the old ones, and really, mazda has to change something if they want the new miatas to sell. Anyways i raced a 98 miata once, i'm not even going to elaborate on that (hint, it got owned).

02boostlessCIV

GEARBOX, donate some rep points man. I'm poor.

flotsamm

iTrader: (1)

The Miata's design follows the classic two seater open top roadster. I like the look of the new gen, not to over the top like the BMW.

solo_rider

i just don't like mazdas styling when it comes to cars. for some reason when i look at the frontend it reminds me of a frog....thats my .02

02boostlessCIV

i agree, however when the new mazda6 came out i was like

Hefe

iTrader: (1)

still kinda looks like a guppy.....

or off that exxon commercial with the talking cars...

CivicsRdBest

I liked the Ibuki concept a lot better, but I guess you have to lose something in the translation from show car to production car. If it has a good lightweight engine or even a MS version on top of that 180hp, it'd be great.

I can see some subtle additions too, like a longer wheelbase, which is always good and of course, a lightweight car... Oh man, I wish I could afford it.

JP375

iTrader: (1)

bland, boring, blah. If the miata wasn't such a fun car I would think it was designed by Hyundai.

HorrorSkopes

looks the same.

I saw an integra type-r kill the turbo miata @ tsukuba, i was surprised.

zachgeyer

iTrader: (3)

looks nice

wrussi

iTrader: (1)

hey awesome info man if it comes out like that that would be my next car i've really wanting a a miata but the insurance is too expensive for me

GuliziaN

iTrader: (1)

I think it looks awesome. I love Miatas looks, and Mazda's styling in general. If I had the money I would definately get one.

pbfoot

iTrader: (2)

yeah, it looks good...but i dont know if thats really what its gonna look like. this picture appeared on miata.net also, theyve been discussing the NC for ever on that forum.

the reason i doubt that this isnt gonna be the look is because it deviates from the styling mazda has been implementing in every other of their cars. the headlights and grille are all angular on the rx-8, the 3 and the 6. so even though the miata has always been rounded, something tells me theyre gonna make it more edgy this time around. the other thing is that this picture looks too much like the ibuki, and miata magazine (mazda mag or whatever its called now) clearly stated that the miata isnt going to look like the ibuki when it gets redesigned. maybe they were lying, maybe not...

edit: rob - the "180hp" is n/a. i dont think mazdaspeed miata will come out in the first year of production, and the miata by itself wouldnt be anything but n/a. but thats supposedly the jdm number, the usdm hp #s will be lower than that if thats in fact the accurate power output. i hope the numbers are higher than that, but they very well might put the 2.3l 4 from the mazda 3 in the miata...that one has 160hp. maybe theyll tweak it a bit, but prob. not that much.

but honestly, if they can keep the weight down to 2500lbs or less it will be ok.

exclusive_vtec

agreeeeeeeeeeeeeeed