Report

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata may be getting 181 hp

A power increase was shown in a NHTSA filing

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club front 3/4 view
  • Image Credit: Drew Phillips
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club front 3/4 view
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club rear 3/4 view
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club front 3/4 view
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club rear 3/4 view
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club rear 3/4 view
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club side view
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club front detail
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club headlight
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club front fender
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club wheel
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club taillight
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club badge
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club wheel
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club badge
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club badge
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club badge
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club badge
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club taillight
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club engine
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club interior
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club interior
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club steering wheel
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club interior
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club steering wheel
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club seats
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club seat detail
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club steering wheel
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club gauges
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club infotainment system
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club shifter
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club shifter
  • 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club shifter
Even though the current 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata makes only 155 horsepower, our experience has shown that it's more than enough fun with its modest output. Still, if Mazda were to offer more, we wouldn't turn it down, and it appears that's exactly what will happen for the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Road & Track dug up a VIN filing from Mazda to NHTSA with information about the Miata for that model year. On one of the pages, it states that the 2019 Miata will have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 181 net brake horsepower.

That's a pretty big jump from 155 horsepower, nearly matching the larger 2.5-liter engine in the Mazda3 and Mazda6. It's also close in power to the estimates for the Skyactiv-X spark-controlled compression-ignition engine. But, based on what a journalist on Twitter posted, the 2019 Miata will continue to use a version of the existing spark-ignition Skyactiv-G engine. Apparently it will have a new cylinder head, be able to rev higher, and make more horsepower, though he didn't say how much more.



We've reached out to Mazda for comment on this discovery, and, like with most car companies, wouldn't give comment since the topic regards a future product. If it does turn out that Mazda won't up the horsepower for 2019, the good news is that the aftermarket has speed demons covered. Flyin' Miata offers a package that includes camshafts, exhaust and a tune that will bring it up to about 200 hp. There's a supercharger kit from Edelbrock that will provide similar power, but without the need for digging into the engine. Flyin' Miata also offers a turbocharger kit that can bring the Miata up to nearly 250 hp, and if you're really speed-crazed, the company can swap in a Chevy LS V8 with more than 500 hp. Or, you know, you could just be happy with 155.

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