2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Specs and Details Announced

• The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata will offer 155 horsepower, 148 lb-ft of torque
• Curb weight is down about 150 pounds from today's 2,500-lb figure
• Mazda has not yet announced when the MX-5 Miata will go on sale

Mazda has officially announced several new details about its all-new, fully redesigned 2016 MX-5 Miata, which is scheduled to go on sale later this year. The new details include final weight, horsepower and torque figures as well as other specifications of importance to fans of the popular sports car.

The most eagerly anticipated new piece of information from Mazda is the 2016 MX-5's horsepower figure. According to the automaker, the new Miata will use a 2.0-liter SkyActiv4-cylinder that will make 155 hp, which is down 12 hp from the current model. But the 2016 MX-5 Miata's torque figure, 148 lb-ft, is up 8 notches from last year's number, suggesting that acceleration will be roughly the same.

In fact, the new Miata might even be a little faster than last year's model. Mazda recently confirmed that the next-generation MX-5 will boast a 150-lb weight reduction compared to its predecessor. That's not a small figure, considering last year's model weighed in at just 2,500 lbs.

Beyond the weight and power numbers, Mazda has announced a few other key details about the new MX-5 Miata. Among them are dimensions, with the new Miata measuring 154.1 inches in length, about 3 inches shorter than the current model, and transmissions, which will include a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed automatic. The new MX-5 Miata will also offer two wheel sizes: 17-in alloys in Club and GT trim, or 16 in base-level Sport guise.

Unfortunately, Mazda has not yet announced pricing for the 2016 MX-5 Miata, though we expect it'll be close to today's base price of around $25,000 with shipping. Mazda also hasn't announced when the new MX-5 Miata will reach dealers, though we're expecting to see it this spring or summer.

What it means to you: The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata will boast more torque and a lighter curb weight than its predecessor, but it'll make less horsepower.

2016 MX-5 Miata is the Roadster the World has been Waiting for | Maita Mazda Sacramento CA

Mazda is on a hot streak.

Over the past few years, Mazda has been thriving in its Renaissance of SKYACTIV technology and modern elegance with the overhauls on the award winning Mazda3, Mazda6 and next year’s Mazda2.

On September 3, 2014, Mazda unveiled the latest model to join the ranks of SKYACTIV built vehicles, the iconic MX-5 Miata roadster.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Miata has gone through three generations of overhauls since its debut at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989. The next two decades and a half saw 940,000 of these hot convertibles produced and making it the most popular roadster ever created.

It only makes sense that a vehicle with such an iconic importance for Mazda would deserve the SKYACTIV treatment with an exterior overhaul inspired by the KODO – Soul of Motion design language developed by Mazda and used in the CX-5, Mazda3, and Mazda6.

What do we know about the new 2016 MX-5 Miata?

Not too much, but the details that have surfaced is surely set to get the hype train rolling for next year’s launch.

We do know that the fourth generation Miata will take on similar technology offerings found in the 2014 Mazda3 including the 5.8” touchscreen and commander switch.

Some of the improvements in the newest Miata over the third generation is the fully redesigned interior and a significant weight reduction by approximately 220 lbs according to Mazda.

The front of the 2016 Miata resembles high performance sports cars like the Dodge Viper, while from the side, it looks like a BMW coupe. The tires will come in 16 and 17 inch rims and are held on by 4 bolts.

Mazda will be adding sport mode to the automatic transmission version of the newest Miata while the manual transmission will be in sport mode, all the time.

A newly designed SKYACTIV-G engine that hasn’t been fully detailed by Mazda will be powering this roadster around curved roads across the world when it launches next year.

We’ll know more about the North American specifications of the 2016 MX-5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2015.

Posted by Ian Bowers