Mazda Hints at a New Mazdaspeed Miata

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (Credit: © Mazda)

The new MX-5 has become quite the talking point as of late, as we recently heard reports then denials that the new roadster will hit showrooms boasting a 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter, Skyactiv engine, and now we have a report of a possible Mazdaspeed version. The report stems from an interview Motoring.com.au had with Mazda’s head of global public relations, Kudo Hidetoshi.

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During the interview, Hidetoshi stated that the ND Miata will likely be around for a decade, which is no surprise given the typical lifecycle of the legendary roadster, but he then went on to say “And yes, a turbocharged or MPS variant is one of the options we will definitely consider.” That latter statement gets Mazdaspeed fans, like myself, all worked up, as we were all expecting some boost from this generation MX-5 and have yet to receive it.

Motoring.com.au did bring up one issue that I have been struggling with as well, and that is how can you turbocharge a high-compression engine like Mazda’s Skyactiv? With a 14-to-1 compression ratio, it would be tough to add much boost without possibly causing internal damage, but Hidtoshi did admit that there would be some “significant reengineering” done in order to add boost.

There is also the possibility of moving the Mazdaspeed model to the larger and more powerful 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine in the Mazda3, which would inject at least 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque into the lightened roadster. Hidetoshi countered that suggestion by noting that the larger engine would make it hard to maintain a 50:50 weight distribution in the MX-5, which has always been the key point of the model.

While all of this is still just talk at this point, it is nice to hear from an official that a Mazdaspeed MX-5 is on the company’s mind. I know my 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5 is getting a little long in the tooth, and it is certainly time for an upgrade!