Mazda MX5 Cars - From idea to production Part 2

Mazda MX5 Cars - From idea to production

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The first round of judging the competing designs was held in April 1984. At this stage, designs were presented solely on paper. The mid-engined car appeared the most impressive, although it was known at the time that such a layout would struggle to meet the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) requirements of the project. It was only at the second round of the competition in August 1984, when full-scale clay models were presented, that the Duo 101 won the competition and was selected as the basis for Mazda's new light-weight sports car.

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The Duo 101, so named as either a soft top or hard top could be used, incorporated many key stylistic cues inspired by the Lotus Elan, a 1960s roadster. International Automotive Design (IAD) in Worthing, England was commissioned to develop a running prototype, codenamed V705. It was built with a fiberglass body, a 1.4 L (85 cu in) engine from a Mazda Familia and components from a variety of early Mazda models. The V705 was completed in August 1985 and taken to the U.S.A. where it rolled on the roads around Santa Barbara and got positive reactions.

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The project received final approval on 18 January 1986. The model's codename was changed to P729 as it moved into production phase, under head of program Toshihiko Hirai. The task of constructing five engineering mules (more developed prototypes) was again allocated to IAD, which also conducted the first front and rear crash tests on the P729. While Tom Matano, Mark Jordan, Wu Huang Chin and Koichi Hayashi worked on the final design, the project was moved to Japan for engineering and production details.

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By 1989, with a definitive model name now chosen, the MX5 (as in "Mazda Experiment", project number 5) was ready to be introduced to the world as a true lightweight sports car, weighing just 940 kg (2,100 lb).

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Mazda MX5 Cars - From idea to production Part 1

Mazda MX5 Cars - From idea to production

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In 1976, Bob Hall, a journalist at Motor Trend magazine who was an expert in Japanese cars and fluent in the language, met Kenichi Yamamoto and Gai Arai head of Research and Development at Mazda.

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In 1981, Bob Hall moved to a product planning position with Mazda US and again met Kenichi Yamamoto, now chairman of Mazda Motors, who remembered their conversation about a roadster and gave Hall the go-ahead to research the idea further. At this time Bob Hall hired designer Mark Jordan to join the newly formed Mazda design studio in Southern California. There, He and Bob collaborated on the parameters of the initial image, proportion and visualization of the "light-weight sports" concept. In 1983, the idea turned concept was approved under the "Offline 55" program, an internal Mazda initiative that sought to change the way new models were developed. Thus, under head of project Masakatsu, the concept development was turned into a competition between the Mazda design teams in Tokyo and California.

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The California team proposed a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, codenamed Duo 101, in line with the British roadster ancestry, but their Japanese counterparts favored the more common front-engine, front-wheel drive layout or the rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.

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Mazda MX5 Cars - Generations and Overview Part 2

Mazda MX5 Cars - Generations and Overview

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The body is a conventional, but light, unibody or monocoque construction, with (detachable) front and rear subframes. The MX5 also incorporates a truss marketed as the Powerplant Frame (PPF) which connects the engine to the differential, minimizing flex and contributing to responsive handling. Some MX5s feature limited slip differentials and anti-lock braking system. Traction control is an option available on NC models. The earlier cars weighed in at just over a ton, with engine power output usually 116 bhp (87 kW). The later cars were heavier, with higher power engines.

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With an approximate 50:50 front/rear weight balance, the car has nearly neutral handling. Inducing oversteer is easy and very controllable, thus making the MX5 a popular choice for amateur and stock racing, including, in the USA, the Sports Car Club of America's Solo2 autocross and Spec Miata race series and in the UK the Mazda racing championship.

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Beginning with the third generation, Mazda consolidated worldwide marketing using the MX5 name, though enthusiasts in the USA still refer to it as Miata, a name that means "reward" in Old High German.

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Mazda MX5 Cars - Generations and Overview Part 1

Mazda MX5 Cars - Generations and Overview

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Now in its third generation, the MX5's first generation, the NA, sold over 400,000 units from 1989 to 1997 – with a 1.6 L (98 cu in) straight-4 engine to 1993, a 1.8 L (110 cu in) engine thereafter (with a de-tuned 1.6 as a budget option in some markets) – recognizable by its pop-up headlights. The second generation (NB) was introduced in 1998 with a slight increase in engine power; it can be recognized by the fixed headlights and the glass rear window. The third generation (NC) was introduced in 2005 with a 2.0 L (120 cu in) engine.

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The MX5 was conceived as a small roadster – with light weight and minimal mechanical complexity limited only by legal and safety requirements; technologically modern, but a philosophically direct descendant of the small British roadsters of the 1960s such as the Triumph Spitfire, Austin-Healey Sprite, MG Midget and Lotus Elan.

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The MX5 was designed with a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout and four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension. It has a longitudinally-mounted four cylinder engine coupled to a manual transmission (5 speed for NA, 5 or 6 speed in NB & NC); an automatic transmission is a cost option.

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A Brief Overview Of The History Of Mazda MX5 Miata Cars Part 2

Mazda MX5 Miata Cars

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1999 was the year of many upgrades to the interior, exterior and anti lock braking system, while the engine received minor upgrades. A 1999 10th anniversary edition was produced in limited amounts and was capable of quicker acceleration. The hot little Miata was appropriately upgraded for the 2001 throughout the 2007 model years as automotive technology and engineering developments and options became more advanced.

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After a complete overhaul in 2006, the 2007 the Mazda MX5 Miatais now available in four trim styles and a variety of configurations that are all equipped with a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder 163 to 166 horsepower motor. A hard top and soft top are available for the Sport, Touring and Grand Touring models, while the most affordable base model, the SV, is available in soft convertible top only. Although now lighter than ever before with a wider wheel base, the overall dimensions are larger to more comfortably accommodate driver and passenger. Additional upgrades include an adjustable steering wheel and a 2.0 liter 4 cyllinder engines capable of 160 horsepower and include a choice of 6 speed manual or automatic transmissions. With the ability to deliver speed and a smooth ride, the Mazda MX5 Miata Cars is extremely entertaining, quick and fun to drive with the top down.

A Brief Overview Of The History Of A Mazda before is mazda mx5

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A Brief Overview Of The History Of Mazda MX5 Miata Cars

Mazda MX5 Miata Cars

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The Mazda MX5 Miata convertible has been in production since its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. The fervent and passionate response to the introduction of this sporty cabriole style coupe initially caused supply to fall short of demand. The first generation of this vehicle was equipped with a 120 horsepower 1.6 liter inline four cylinder engine and the ordinary distributor was replaced by a camshaft angle sensor and Jetronic fuel injection mechanism. Although available with either a 5 speed manual transmission or an automatic, the automatic proved unpopular with drivers in this vehicle. It was recorded as reaching 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, which was extremely quick for an '89.

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The MX5 Miata drew quite a loyal following throughout the following years. In response to consumer and industry demand, the MX5 received was made available as a 1991 special edition produced in British Racing Green with a tan interior. The limited edition 1500LE model was produced in 1993, was only available with black exterior and red leather interior and featured upscale power accessories, Blistein shocks and sporty front and rear spoilers. The 1994 models were equipped with a new and more robust 1.8 liter engine that produced 130 horsepower, a limited slip differential system and track bars for increased safety. 1994 models with Laguna Blue Mica paint (a light metallic blue) are considered collectable as this was the only year the MX5 was available in this color. By 1996 the horsepower of the 1.8 liter engine was tweaked to increase the horsepower slightly and various configurations and models of the Miata were available to please the most discriminating and thrill seeking convertible driver. Production was suspended for the 1998 model year and resumed for the 1999 model year.

A Brief Overview Of The History Of A Mazda before is mazda mx5

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A Brief Overview Of The History Of A Mazda before is Mazda Mx5 Cars

A Brief Overview Of The History Of A Mazda before is mazda mx5

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Founded in January 1920 as a cork factory, Mazda began making tools in 1929, and then expanded into the manufacture of trucks for commercial trucks. Its first passenger cars were introduced in the early 1960s, and at about the same time, the company began developing rotary engines. Headquartered in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation ranks as one of Japans leading car makers.

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In 1970, Mazda began exporting cars to the United States and Europe, and those sales account for more than two thirds of the company's total volume. Cars are assembled at one of two sites in Japan, or one of 18 sites elsewhere around the world. The facility in Hiroshima is one of the largest single site automobile factories in the world, and has an annual production capacity of more than half a million units. The Hofu plant is smaller, with a capacity of roughly 400,000 units. Sites overseas include joint ventures in Thailand and the United States, in partnership with the Ford Motor Company, Mazda's largest shareholder.

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Mazda's signature rotary engine represents their entire history of engineering innovation. Many other automakers attempted to adapt the concept, but it was Mazda that persevered and succeeded with the creation of a commercial sports car engine. Today, they are the only car maker in the world that makes gasoline, diesel, and rotary internal combustion engines, and the latest incarnation of the rotary engine is what powers their new Mazda RX-8.

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Mazda sums up their mission to make cars that are fun to drive but also affordable with their flirty, zippy catch-phrase, "Zoom-Zoom."

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