Mazda has officially announced details of the improved MX-5 roadster for the 2019 model year. As we’ve previously reported, the product update gives the larger 2.0 litre engine option a significant power bump, and also introduces numerous other revisions and added features.
The 2.0 litre SkyActiv-G naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine has been completely reworked for improved top-end performance, with Japanese publication CarWatch detailing the changes that include uprated valve springs as well as pistons that are 27 grams lighter. The latter is due to a shaved-down dome as well as valve reliefs repositioned to be closer to the edges of the piston skirt.
Elsewhere, the connecting rods are more compact and feature shorter and thinner bolts to shave 41 grams, while the positioning of the crankshaft counterweights have been optimised. The throttle body also gets a 28% larger opening for an increased intake of air, and the intake side gets a larger valve diameter and improved tumble flow. There are larger exhaust valves and exhaust manifold runners, too.
Mazda claims that these changes reduce rotating masses and intake and exhaust losses, and shorten the combustion period. As a result, the company has been able to raise the rev limit from 6,800 rpm to 7,500 rpm – the same as on the smaller 1.5 litre unit. Peak power has also jumped from 160 to 184 PS, now made 1,000 rpm later at 7,000 rpm, while maximum torque has risen from 200 to 205 Nm, still at 4,000 rpm.
That’s not all, as it’s claimed that torque has been increased across the entire rev range, with top-end torque in particular boosted by as much as 15%. Mazda has also made improvements to the sound of the engine, removing material from the muffler’s internal structure and also tweaking it for less high-frequency noise.
Changes have also been made for the 1.5 litre version, with updates to the intake ports, pistons, fuel pump and injectors reported. This has again resulted in increased torque throughout the rev range, as well as a minor output increase to 132 PS at 7,000 rpm and 152 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
The upgrades also mean that both engines now comply to the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) and Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test cycles, and meet the latest Euro 6d Temp emission regulations. Improved throttle response has also been claimed for the two engines.
In other news, the MX-5 finally gets autonomous emergency braking with the inclusion of the Advanced Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system at the front and SCBS at the rear. You can also get Driver Attention Alert (DAA), traffic sign recognition and a reverse camera for the first time on the roadster.
Other minor tweaks include the addition of telescopic steering adjustment (previously omitted due to the extra weight) in addition to the existing tilt adjustment, along with cruise control and a colour TFT LCD multi-info display. Rounding off the changes are a new tan interior option, a brown roof for soft-top models as well as black instead of gunmetal alloy wheels.
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 has already gone on sale in Japan in soft-top and RF folding hardtop guises, with first deliveries expected on July 26. European buyers, on the other hand, will have to wait until August to get their hands on one. What do you think of the changes?
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Not bad. Mazda can increase their output now to 184 with just their 2.0
This shows they do research. Unlike Proton, engineers goyang kaki and sleep in office AND NEVER DO RESEARCH. GAJI BUTA
Bodo basher will always find a way to squeeze in Proton into the conversation that has not even the slightest relevance to it.
How do you know all of them goyang kaki, sleep and never do any work. Do you speak to people who work there or visited the workplace? For all we know, the full capabilities of the engineers and research team might be limited due to Proton’s mismanagement all these years.
If not, best to simpan your bodo sikit okay.
The MX-5 is a real looker. Proton should engineer a Satria 1.6T convertible perhaps^^
Same class with Fiat and Suzuki for comparison
Back in the real world, this is what P1 engineers r doing: “We needed more than 1,000 Proton engineers working with Geely engineers together. Every month, more than 100 engineers worked in Hangzhou, so this (SUV) is jointly developed.” said Dr Li.
I like Mazda Skyactive engines. They are clean but yet more economical than a diesel
Skyactiv needs unsubsidised RON97 to run. Lolz!
Can run on RON 95 la bodo..
Prefer downsizing engine coz lesser roadtax
skyactiv NA petrol engines have very high compression ratio 14:1. require ron97 for best performance.
while the 2.5 turbo in cx9 will produce only 230 bhp on ron95 but 250bhp on ron97.
The X might be an exception. It might actually run better with lower octane fuel, as it relies on the timed “spontaneous” combustion.
(Like) Mazda MX-5.
(Dislike) Toyota 86
So looking forward to it!
Mazda really a stubborn company. Why don’t they just have a turbocharged engine solved the whole powertrain problems.
It’s a no fuss lightweight sportscar. Everything needs to be zippy, and it has to be budget friendly. Putting a turbo in will make the car heavier, and they have to deal with the turbo lag which would cost more. It wouldn’t be an MX-5.
One product Dual identity, a poorman porsche in the developed nations, A richman mazzzda in the underdeveloped..
Mazda never reaches Porsche standard, pleazee
Mazda is well ahead of the curve compared to other Japanese car manufacturers.
They don’t sell outdated engines & gearbox while marketing it as reliable.
They should looked at toyota 86 / subaru BRZ with 2.0 NA churning out 200HP / 203PS like since 2012. That low down boxer engine would have made this ride even so much sweeter… alas…
But the 86/BRZ max torque at 6400RPM, that’s no fun unlike conti engines which you can feel the pushing at lowish RPM
27grams lighter can boost performance?
0.001second boost
That’s 27 grams for a piston, which is HUGELY significant.
For the MX-5’s stroke length, at just 2000 rpm the max speed of the piston is about 5.5 m/s. At 7400 rpm the ma speed is about 34 m/s. The explosive force of the combustion has to accelerate the piston to those speeds within 1.5 inches (about half the stroke length). The heavier the piston, the greater the explosion needed.
At 2000 rpm, a 27 gram weight accelerated from zero to 5.5 m/s in 1.5 inches would require a force of 130 Newtons (about 13 kg of push). At 7400 rpm, it would require nearly 1.8 tons! Saving every gram from the piston and every significant moving part (like the connecting rods and pins) would mean that more of the explosive force from the combustion is available to get the engine spinning faster.
Why the hell are u anonymous? Make a damn acc and post regularly!
Oh no wait, made a silly error. At 7400 rpm, the required force is around 1800 Newtons (or about 180kg of push). I mean, there is equal and opposite reaction so 1.8 tons is not very likely to happen in a cylinder head of any engine.