Alfa/ND Mule spotted in Michigan

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:05 am

Thanks Nev.
I was sorry to hear about your car and hope that it all goes well.
Greg.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 9:33 am

You've got to love those Americans and their rulers...... :mrgreen:

Here's the latest series of comparison assessments between the different generations.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=544332

Sorry about the image size, they automatically scale down over at MT.net.

Using the chassis diagram images from the end of the Mazda Chassis Presentation Video, I created a couple of chassis comparisons. The center point of the FRONT hub of each chassis was used as the common reference.

Click HERE for a larger version of the vertical comparison.

Click HERE for the larger version of the horizontal comparison. (Very wide image!)

Since the NA/NB diagram is a combined one, it seems reasonable to assume the wheel size represented by the diagram is 15" because that's the only wheel size that was available from the factory on both late NAs and early NBs. Likewise, it seems reasonable to assume the NA/NB diagram front brake rotors are 10" because that, too, was a factory size for front rotors on both the late NAs and early NBs.

I think we've already figured all of this out, but to reiterate:

• ND wheelbase is longer than the NA/NB but a little bit shorter than the NC
• ND front brake rotor is the same size as the NA/NB and clearly smaller than the NC
• ND shifter sits a little farther back than the NC and a fair bit farther back than the NA/NB
• ND seat sits a little father back than the NC and a fair bit farther back than the NA/NB
• ND seat sits a little bit lower than the NA/NB/NC, lowering the center of gravity
• ND motor placement is a true front mid-ship design (all of it is behind the center line of the front axle)
• ND motor sits lower than NA/NB/NC, particularly in the rear, lowering the center of gravity
• ND drivetrain and PPF sits lower than NA/NB/NC, also lowering center of gravity

Using these diagrams, I was able to do some more precise measurements in Photoshop. Based on those measurements, here are my revised guesses:

• ND wheel size will be 16", I bet that will be standard across all trim levels
• ND standard front brake rotor size will be 10.0 inches, I bet 10.6-inch front rotors will be included on some trim levels
• ND wheelbase will be about 91.0 inches, which is longer than my previous guess (NA/NB is 89.2 inches, NC is 91.7 inches)

No doubt about it, the ND is going to handle like a dream! The smaller brake rotors (relative to the NC) are not a concern to me. The car is going to weigh less than my NB and, my bet, it will have 10.6-inch front rotors on the trim level I'll buy, just like my NB. It should stop better than my NB and at least as well as the NC.

Mark

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:22 pm

It's official, the ND will be revealed in Europe, Japan and the US on the 3rd of September! :mrgreen:

See this link for full details...... :wink:

http://www.mazdausamedia.com/2014-07-02 ... -CONFIRMED

Crapweasel · Postby **Crapweasel** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:25 pm

Nice! Now what are they going to have to talk about on m.net?!

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Vat · Postby **Vat** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 10:22 pm

I was hearing a turbocharger in that sequence, wasn't I?

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 10:55 pm

Launch date: 4th of September 2014

http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2014/201407/140703a.html

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 10:56 pm

Vat wrote:I was hearing a turbocharger in that sequence, wasn't I?

Unfortunately not, the Mazda will be strictly NA Skyactive, most likely 1.5 and 2.0 litre depending on the market..... The Fiat group sibling (Fiat or Arbath) will get a 1.4L turbo by all reports though. :wink:

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 11:00 pm

MrRevhead wrote:Launch date: 4th of September 2014

That's a 4th of September in Japan to coincide with the 3rd of September in the US, all three releases (including the European one) will be simultaneous. :wink:

Still it's a bit rude we don't get one here in Australia as we're the third biggest market (based on annual car sales) for Mazda globally.....

rjastra2 · Postby **rjastra2** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:00 am

Interestingly its called the 2016 MX5

So it wont go on sale this year...more like Q1 or Q2 in 2015

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 9:04 am

rjastra2 wrote:So it wont go on sale this year...more like Q1 or Q2 in 2015

Expected to be on sale Q1 (before the 31st of March) so in time for the Northern Hemisphere Summer season. :wink:

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 10:12 am

Crapweasel wrote:Nice! Now what are they going to have to talk about on m.net?!

Any NE?

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:20 pm

I'm off to the Mazda factory in Hiroshima on the 1st of October, I'll have to keep an eye out.

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 4:59 pm

Nevyn72 wrote:
Vat wrote:I was hearing a turbocharger in that sequence, wasn't I?

Unfortunately not, the Mazda will be strictly NA Skyactive, most likely 1.5 and 2.0 litre depending on the market..... The Fiat group sibling (Fiat or Arbath) will get a 1.4L turbo by all reports though.

Not the worst engines in the world, but not earth shattering exciting. The first thing rev heads are going to do is fit the 2,5l.

The success of the ND in a very competitive market place is going to come down to looks and pricing. For a sports car, mainly looks and driving being priorities.