True to Mazda Tradition

Go back to 1989. The affordable Mazda Miata 2-seat roadster set the world on fire.

“Miata” became part of the public lexicon in North America, and the vehicle went on to occupy a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000 as the best-selling 2-seat open sports car.

It is perplexing, then, that Mazda Motor Corp. has decreed the Miata name no longer will be formally part of the vehicle's moniker. Instead, it will be known only as the MX-5, the alphanumeric designation the car has had since day one, and the name used in other parts of the world.

Striking “Miata” does provide alphanumeric consistency for Mazda's cars. But some suggest the auto maker was trying to shed a name that in some circles became synonymous with “woman's car.”

Whatever its name, the totally redesigned '06 MX-5 is a worthy successor to previous-generations of the world's best-selling roadster. Mazda boasts the '06 MX-5 has just one carryover part, a side-repeater lamp from the Euro-spec model. But it can be said the overall exterior design is a bit of a carryover, too.

Some 320 sketches were drawn to devise a new look. That group was cut to seven designs, all of which were rendered as quarter-scale models. From there, three fullsize models were created, one each from Mazda's design studios in Japan, Germany and California.

The Japanese design prevailed, with some elements of the other two incorporated. The new MX-5 is more expressive than the outgoing model but still is recognizable as a Miata. That's good and bad.

The evolutionary nature of the sheet- metal may date it when viewed against the swoopy and modernistic Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky roadsters coming in the next six months from General Motors Corp.

Choosing between MX-5 and Solstice/Sky likely will boil down to styling. Performance and pricing for the MX-5 and the GM twins should be about the same. Solstice specifics are scant, but GM says it will weigh 2,860 lbs. (1,246 kg), about 400 lbs. (182 kg) heavier than the Mazda.

Engineers were so concerned about the MX-5 gaining pounds in its old age that weight-reduction efforts extended even to the rearview mirror, where 3 oz. (84 g) is shaved. In this era of near-guaranteed weight increase, it's refreshing to know the MX-5's curb weight has been reduced by 96 lbs. (44 kg) — although the car has grown in every dimension.

Curb weight ranges from 2,441 lbs. (1,063 kg) in the vehicle's base Club Spec trim with the standard 5-speed manual transmission to 2,527 lbs. (1,101 kg) in the Touring, Sport and Grand Touring trims that feature a new 6-speed automatic. Mazda hopes the automatic will shift the vehicle's historical transmission mix from 85% manual to 75%/25% manual/automatic.

The new self-shifter ostensibly is as responsive as the new 6-speed manual, exhibiting a slight lag between second and third gears. It also has a manual mode, but it doesn't always heed every command from the driver.

The 5-speed manual is standard on the Club Spec, MX-5 and Touring trims, while the 6-speed manual is standard on the Sport and Grand Touring. The new automatic is a $1,100 option on the Touring, Sport and Grand Touring models. Both manuals have short-throw shifters — a Miata hallmark — which makes changing gears on the 6-speed manual a smooth and virtually effortless exercise.

MX-5's solitary engine is a 2L DOHC 4-cyl. with variable valve timing, making 170 hp at 6,700 rpm with the manuals and 166 hp at 6,700 rpm with the new automatic. Torque is 140 lb.-ft. (190 Nm) at 5,000 rpm.

MX-5 rides on a monocoque chassis with double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear suspension. It is soft on the straight and narrow but firm in corners. The setup keeps the MX-5 steady and free of body roll even in comparatively extreme cornering.

Steering, always a strong suit of the popular Mazda roadster, once again is accurate and precise, but the brakes are a tad grabby.

The vehicle's standard manual soft top goes up and down with reasonably little effort, although it doesn't go up fast enough to prevent a good drenching in a sudden tropical downpour during a Hawaiian test drive.

An optional removable hardtop will be available from launch for all trims.

With the top down, wind noise is hushed to a level that makes it easy to hold a conversation. With the top up, lines of vision are thankfully unobstructed.

If there is one fault with this car it is its interior. MX-5 suffers from a serious case of HPE: hard plastic everywhere. MX-5's 2-tone black/orange interior option is not enough to disguise the chintzy material.

Another gripe is the lack of footwell space on the passenger side. A person of average height should be prepared to draw up their feet and sit slightly askew.

That said, the instrument panel layout and design is pleasing, with radio and climate controls easy to operate. The leather covering the seats is good quality, and the seats are comfortable. There are four cupholders to service two thirsty occupants.

Pricing for the MX-5 begins at $20,435 for the Club Spec trim, putting it in line with Solstice's near-$20,000 base price. The vehicle tops out at $26,700 for the limited edition 3^rd Generation trim, of which only 3,500 will be made (750 for the U.S. market).

Four option packages are available, running from a $515 package with run-flat tires to two premium packages, both priced at $1,600, that include xenon high-intensity discharge headlights and stability control.

A limited-slip differential is offered in the first premium package, which is available only on the Grand Touring model with 6-speed manual.

Destination and handling is $560 except for Alaskans, who pay $120 more.

A caveat to those who want to be the first in the neighborhood: The car goes on sale this month, but Robert Davis, senior vice president-research, development and quality for Mazda North American Operations, says based on dealer feedback and owner interest, he expects stocks to be slim for a year or more.

'06 Mazda MX-5

Vehicle type: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2-passenger 2-door roadster

Engine: 2L (1,999 cc) DOHC I-4, aluminum block/aluminum head

Power (SAE net): 170 hp @ 6,700 rpm

Torque: 140 lb.-ft. (190 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm

Compression ratio: 10.8:1

Bore × stroke (mm): 87.5 × 83.1

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Wheelbase: 91.7 ins. (233 cm)

Overall length: 157.1 ins. (399 cm)

Overall width: 67.7 ins. (172 cm)

Overall height: 49 ins. (125 cm)

Curb weight: 2,473 lbs. (1,122 kg)

EPA fuel economy, city/highway (mpg): N/A

Market competition: Ford Mustang Convertible; Honda S2000; Nissan 350Z; Mini Convertible