Gregson Mathe
According to a report cited by multiple sources (here and here) yesterday, the new ND Mazda Miata is more than likely not going to get a more powerful MAZDASPEED variant anytime soon. Top Gear spoke to the head of the new Miata’s development team, Nobuhiro Yamamoto, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this past weekend where he said, “What’s very important to me is the feeling, and that you are happy driving it. I don’t want any more power or torque for the MX-5, but the sensation is important.”
Mega bummer. Or is it? This can be taken one of 2 ways: 1) This sucks and now I need go make a Valium and Jack Daniels smoothie just to get over this news. Woe is me. Alas, poor Yorick. They’ll never make the Miata the way I want them to; OR 2) This is excellent news all around. Focusing on the second point, I’m in that boat. The Miata has always been an unapologetic, small, quick-yet-not-fast, fun, affordable, sports car and the fact that they aren’t straying away from that formula, when so many other automakers are with their cars, is both incredibly refreshing and very admirable. Besides, this also give tuners, backyard garage warriors, and custom builders alike a whole new platform on which to drop LS1 engines into and go completely bonkers.
I commend Mazda for sticking to their guns and can’t wait to drive this little car, hopefully, very soon. If this news changes, we’ll be sure to update as soon as we hear.
Photo Credit: Motor Trend, Car & Driver
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