NC Spy Pics

looks quite a bit W I D E R than the current model .

maybe it's just the pix.

Meh, it looks all right. I don't understand, though, why the hell Mazda keeps putting bigger and bigger wheels on the poor thing. It just looks stupid to have 17 and 18 inch rims on such a small car. It can't be good for the handling either, being that such large rims weigh considerably more than smaller rims which increase the unsprung weight and increase rotational inertia. Bad news. I guess Mazda is giving in to the whole "bling bling" generation........ :-P

~Anthony

Not to mention tires are a LOT more expensive in those big sizes.

Is that duel exhaust as standard equipment? It looks like there could be a little of the "flame" surfacing that BMW has used to ruin almost there entire lineup. Hope it's just the way the covering lays against the body. Based upon the top, it doesn't look significantly different in size that either the NA or NB (almost looks like the top would still fit the different generations). Will they carry over the Mazdaspeed eidition? Anyone know when it's actually going to shown to the public for real?

Tom

Scott Streeter wrote:

More pics with top down

My take on the pictures: Its the same platform- the windshield and cockpit contours seem unchanged; the side glass and mirrors match.

The rear deck may be a bit shorter, but that may be the tape. The high-mount center brake light is moved, looking more like the BMW

I seem to see a bit of wheelwell flare, and perhaps an accent curve above each fender.

The lights appear to be a bit "edgier", probably more of the multiple-circles style found in the current 3, 6 and 8.

There is obviously a piece of padding taped over the door to hide some sort of styling; there may be something similar between the headlight (perhaps an extra air scoop?) They still haven't figured out a really good place for the front license plate.

All in all, seems to be a very discrete redesign. I do agree about the wheels- my '99 is still riding on its original 14" units and looks and feels fine.

Joe Silver '99

I hope it will come in duct tape colors other than gray...

Picture the front end of an RX8.

----------- Alex

Of course, they might just be cover-up wheels. But if that is a test track, I guess maybe not. If those are clear tail lights, only white Miatas are going to look real good. :) But that is as it always has been.

I wonder about the dual exhausts. For show value they seem too small to me. So what is up?

Leon

Gee, I downo ? It looks to me like two jokers taped black plastic and some foam filler on their Miata, took it to a track and took some pictures. They put them on the web just to see how big a "thing" they could start. Why two guys in a car on a test track ? That is not how it is normaly done. The "test track" looks more like a Race Track with it's painted runoff curbs. ??? Just too "not real" look to me.

Bruce RED '91

It would certainly help explain the duals. And what look like plastic covers over M1 tail lights. And the oversize wheels. The lowered appearance.

The door handles look somewhat funny, but that is easier to cover up than duals.

Good thinking, Leon

Each car will be supplied with a roll of matching duct tape :)

Don't know about the rest, but with the graphitti, I assume it is the Nurburgring which has been used by the German manufacturers for years and of late by many others for testing (there is growing cachet to saying "Nurburgring tuned handling"). Of course, any yahoo can go out on the 'Ring and run some laps (including me!).

As for two in the car, guess I didn't pay close attention, but I could imagine a lot of testing done with a passenger, for both the impact on handling and some engineering work.