Could a turbocharged MX-5 Miata be on the way?

MAZDA HINTS AT ROADSTER UPGRADES

    Mazda might be planning a turbocharged or upgraded MX-5 Miata. The car will have a ten-year life cycle, according to Mazda’s head of public relations Kudo Hidetoshi, which will give the company plenty of time for variants.

    The new MX-5 already promises to be good with a 155-hp four for the U.S., though there will be those who complain the car is underpowered. We tested the Euro-spec Miata in Spain last week. That version only delivers 129 hp, but with a stellar six-speed manual it was still immensely fun.

  

 

    In talks with Motoring.com.au, Hidetoshi said the he prefers a turbocharged motor to a V6 or even the company’s 2.5-liter four. That would keep the weight down and preserve that perfect balance the Miata is known for. On the other hand, company hasn’t offered a turbocharged SkyActiv engine yet, and tells Motoring significant re-engineering would be involved.

   At the Los Angeles auto show in November the company said that after it renews its core lineup in 2016 it will return focus to its MPS performance brand with faster versions of the Mazda2, 3 and 6; MX-5 improvements may be part of that. After all, it’s nearly impossible to complain about more power.

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 goes on sale in the States late this summer.