Autoblog

Mazda MX-5 Miata is the ultimate Frisbee partner

Chris Paukert — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mazda, UK

Playing a game of Frisbee is rarely about power - it's more about agility, precision and open-air enjoyment. Much the same can be said of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, whose charm has always originated more from its finesse and tactility rather than brute strength and outright speed, qualities the evergreen roadster has traditionally lacked.

So consider it a fine match that Mazda has taken a couple of its popular convertibles out with a handful of crack Frisbee players and put them on a closed circuit in Surrey, England for a stylish game of catch. It's a simple recipe for entertainment - check out the video by scrolling below.

Continue reading Mazda MX-5 Miata is the ultimate Frisbee partner

Mazda MX-5 Miata is the ultimate Frisbee partner originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Mazda, Quick Spins

In what could have been my final time reviewing a current-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, I'll have to say it was like saying a bittersweet farewell to an old friend. You see, the third-generation Miata (NC) is my favorite iteration of the fun little roadster, and with the next Miata being co-developed with Alfa Romeo, I fear the car might lose some of the "jinba ittai" that has made it incredible track car for the last 23 years. If this was to be my last extended drive in the MX-5 Miata, I couldn't have asked for a better send-off with it being a black-on-red tester with a soft top, manual transmission and the all-new Club trim level.

Perhaps as a tip of its proverbial hat to the car's cult following among club racers, the 2013 model year for the MX-5 Miata sees the new Club model replace the Touring trim level in the middle of the car's lineup. This new model should also be a welcomed sight for buyers who were late in snagging one of the 450 Miata Special Edition units that were sent to the US this year, and with a starting price of $26,705, it is substantially less than the Special Edition car. Like the Special Edition, though, the Club comes with black wheels and black door mirrors, and other key elements helped give the car an eye-catching look that got the car noticed almost everywhere I took it.

Driving Notes

The first thing I notice every time I drive a Miata is how balanced the car feels. A low curb weight (less than 2,500 pounds) and an almost perfectly even weight distribution make the car fun to drive in just about any conditions.
More fun, of course, is driving with the top down, and the Miata's manual soft top has to be one of the simplest tops to operate in the history of convertibles. One central latch holds it in place, and it is light and hassle-free to raise and lower. You can even just reach back while at a stop light and raise the roof in about five seconds with one hand.
The six-speed manual transmission not only makes the Miata more engaging to drive, it also gives the car more power. Cars equipped with the automatic transmission are rated at 158 horsepower and those with the manual get 167 ponies under the hood, and while I've yet to drive an automatic Miata, at no point does the manual's power feel insufficient. Even better, it is still decent on gas with fuel economy numbers 21 miles per gallon city and 28 highway; I had no problems hitting either number even with a healthy dose of spirited driving.
Aside from maybe a Tesla Roadster, there are few cars on the road that feel as small as the Miata. To some, this might be a good thing, but when the average SUV bumper is at face level and getting into and out of the car feels like it should be a part of the Insanity Workout, the Miata might not be an ideal primary vehicle.
The 2013 Miata Club represents a slight price increase ($875) over the 2012 Miata Touring, but what you get is a truly unique look without having to make any modifications yourself. The Gunmetal Black 17-inch wheels do a lot for the car, but the Club also gets black side stripes, black headlights, a front lip spoiler, rear diffuser, "Club" fender badges and chrome trunk brackets; inside, the instrument panel gets a new body-color-matching insert and red stitching to accent the black seats.
In today's tech-savvy world, the Miata's option list is devoid of many options available on most entry-level cars, but for a car that shouldn't even have cupholders (especially on the manual-equipped models), the lack of technology inside the Miata makes the car feel even more raw and refreshing.

2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata still brings a smile to our faces

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Mazda

Believe it or not, despite the fact that Mazda first unveiled its refreshed 2013 MX-5 Miata in July of this year, the 2012 Paris Motor Show in late September is the first time we've run across the iconic sports car in the metal. And so we wasted no time in filling our DSLRs with a full spate of images.

As you can see, while we eagerly await the still-not-that-close next-generation Miata, the current MX-5's well-known smiley visage has been toned down for 2013, and that's most definitely a good thing in our books. Besides that, Mazda claims to have "[enhanced] throttle response and brake return." Sounds like a nice addition to what is already a winning package.

We suggest combing through the upgrades in our high-res image gallery above. And if you like what you see, Mazda officials tell Autoblog that your local dealer should be getting their 2013 MX-5 stock right about... now.

2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata still brings a smile to our faces originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda releases first info on upgraded 2013 Roadster, a.k.a. MX-5 Miata

Zach Bowman — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Japan, Mazda

Mazda has released a spate of information on its 2013 Roadster, known domestically as the MX-5 Miata. As you may recall, images of the newest refresh made their way to the internet via a few snapped brochure photos. As it turns out, those shots were spot on. The 2013 Japanese domestic model (and presumably the North American one, too) will wear a heavily revised front fascia with a version of the five-point grille we first saw on the Spyder Concept. Engineers have also reworked the convertible's throttle and brake booster for improved control as well.

As we heard before, the JDM Roadster will also come with an active hood that will raise if sensors detect an impact at certain speeds to reduce the chances of pedestrian injury. New interior and exterior colors have also made their way to the option sheet for the first time as well. Take a look at the full press release below.

Continue reading Mazda releases first info on upgraded 2013 Roadster, a.k.a. MX-5 Miata

Mazda releases first info on upgraded 2013 Roadster, a.k.a. MX-5 Miata originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facelifted 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata leaked?

Zach Bowman — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Japan, Mazda, Design/Style

It looks as if the current generation Mazda MX-5 Miata will stay on for a while longer. (Note: We are not complaining.) Images clipped from a Japanese brochure show a newly facelifted version of the NC platform, designated the NC3.

The roadster wears an all-new front fascia, complete with a five-point grille opening and a pair of redesigned fog lamp housings to to either side. The fascia looks more than a bit like the one found on the Mazda Spyder Concept we all know and love, and softens the current car's always-happy-to-see-you grin.

Word has it the 2013 MX-5 Miata will come with a new pedestrian-safe hood designed to pop up in the event of a collision. Step indoors, and the interior boasts new blacked-out gauges, as well as a new dash cover. It's unclear whether there are any mechanical changes on hand, though we do know the NC3 will bow with a new range of paint color and wheel options.

Facelifted 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata leaked? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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