2022 Mazda Miata Rumors
2022 Mazda Miata Rumors– Mazda is considering whether the next-generation MX-5 Miata should move into the electrification segment, something that could really line up with the next-generation Porsche 718 if everything goes right.
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata Must Be Hybrid
With the very compact nature of the MX-5, its ability to hug corners like bear climbing trees, and a lightweight trail (2,332 pounds in lamp form in the US market). it is nearly impossible for Mazda to turn the next generation Miata (NE generation) into a full-scale EV.
It is clear that cars have to be adapted to meet current automotive trends and increasingly stringent emissions regulations, so something has to be given – and it is a must if the MX-5 is to last well beyond the early 2020s.
So, the answer is hybridization, and although it will come with a few setbacks, it will ultimately make the next-generation Mazda MX-5 a better, rounder car. The important part is that the MX-5 cannot undergo an identity change. It should remain light, compact, and agile while being more environmentally friendly than the current ND Miata.
The introduction of the hybrid system comes with the added weight of a natural one, and that would be something tough to contend with on a car that weighs just over a tonne and is so small that it borders on the subcompact size scale. This is where Mazda’s work gets tough. The most logical answer is to lower the load elsewhere.
To help balance the weight of the battery and electric motor, for example, Mazda could use a smaller engine than the current 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s only good for 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, and light reductions are easy with a hybrid system.
A good option here is to switch to the smaller, lighter four-cylinder. Or, maybe even a three-cylinder that’s fine for somewhere in the neighborhood of around 140 horsepower. The battery and the electric motor could be good for close to 50, which will give the next-generation MX-5 a lighter boost over current models. Further weight savings will also be required, meaning Mazda will have to include lighter materials inside and out. The trick is, however, to do it in a way that doesn’t increase production costs significantly. The MX-5 is currently priced between $ 27,080 and $ 31,855, and while a slight upgrade would be fine, pushing the MX-5 beyond the $ 30,000 mark in entry-level form or the $ 35,000 mark in range-topping could cost the MX- 5 correctly out of existence.
The current MX-5 was introduced just four years ago and the update happened in 2019 when the 30th Anniversary Edition was launched.
Mazda still has at least 3 years to get a working prototype ready to be shown to the world. We hope to see the next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata NE in late 2022 or early 2023. If Mazda really follows what I’m saying here, expect a smaller engine and a fairly small motor – perhaps fitted in such away. allows an almost even exchange in terms of weight. Lighter materials inside and out can replace small batteries – maybe 12 kWh at best.
That’s a necessity, but Mazda could go a step further and figure out how to integrate those batteries into the chassis to help keep weight under control. The really annoying thing here is that the hybrid drivetrain could put an end to the option of having a manual transmission on the MX-5, and I’m not sure that’s going to be a good game in the long run.
2022 Mazda Miata Power
No vehicle can be described as fast. But the new BRZ 2022 does widen the horsepower gap between the two vehicles. The Miata currently uses Mazda’s 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engine, which produces 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. That would immediately counter the 228 horsepower of the BRZ 2022 and 184 lb-ft of torque from the larger 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine. The 2.0-liter, 205-hp engine of the 2020 BRZ is currently offset by a 2,815-pound curb weight that rises 474 pounds over the Miata’s 2,341 pound delight. But Subaru promises more power without more weight with the BRZ 2022; the weight will likely remain the same, estimated at 2,815 pounds for the Premium model or 2,835 pounds on the Limited trim, Subaru said. Advantage: BRZ.
The Fun Factor
Let’s face it, these two vehicles are a blast on any road with curves. No vehicle is fast when compared to the offerings from BMW, Audi, or some American muscle that have been revived in the last decade. Instead, the excitement comes from suspension and weight distribution that make every time you downshift and slide fast. But which is more fun? While it will be a long time before we get to the BRZ 2022, it still won’t offer the top-down fun of the Miata. If you love the feeling of the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, you can’t beat the roadster. Advantage: Miata.
Interior Space
Miata has what can technically be called a trunk. But if you absolutely need to haul more than a few bags of groceries, BRZ wins. It has an actual trunk, and a nearly worthless rear seat in a sports car two-plus-two fold down to offer more space. The Miata has 4.6 cubic feet of cargo space, while the current BRZ (with the rear seats facing up) has 6.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The BRZ is a more liveable machine in that respect.
Then there’s the problem with tall drivers. With a top up, Miata can feel cramped for those who stand six feet tall. The Subaru will not be a go-to vehicle for professional basketball players, but it will offer more space for taller people. Advantage: BRZ.
2022 Mazda Miata Price
The 2020 Miata starts at $ 27,525, which is frankly still an amazing deal for a rear-wheel-drive roadster. The 2021 MX-5 Miata is expected to start at around $ 28,000. Subaru hasn’t shared the 2022 BRZ price yet, but we expect it to start at around $ 31,000. Miata wins this round, but both offer dynamic driving fun for under $ 35,000 and in that case, everyone’s a winner here.