New "MX-2" revealed
Discussion
I've been thinking. Are they thinking of basing it on a beshrunkened version of the MX-5 platform (ergo RWD), or a toplessed Ka/Fiesta/Mazda2 platform (FWD)?
Logic would dictate that it will be the latter, packaging would be easier, bigger boot, and so on, but:
- the new Fiesta is a hair away from 1500kg kerb weight (more than my old E34 5-series!)
- a 1.3 Ka is 1415kg
- the new Mk 3.5 MX-5, even with a 2.0 engine and a folding hardtop, is 1165kg, which is frankly incredible.
To make the MX-2 worthwhile doing it has to be lighter than the MX-5 - and the chances of losing more than 2/3rds of the weight of the Ka/Fiesta are very slim. So I guess they'll do it RWD based on the MX5, target weight 950kgs. In which case: I'd have the 160bhp version like a shot.
Logic would dictate that it will be the latter, packaging would be easier, bigger boot, and so on, but:
- the new Fiesta is a hair away from 1500kg kerb weight (more than my old E34 5-series!)
- a 1.3 Ka is 1415kg
- the new Mk 3.5 MX-5, even with a 2.0 engine and a folding hardtop, is 1165kg, which is frankly incredible.
To make the MX-2 worthwhile doing it has to be lighter than the MX-5 - and the chances of losing more than 2/3rds of the weight of the Ka/Fiesta are very slim. So I guess they'll do it RWD based on the MX5, target weight 950kgs. In which case: I'd have the 160bhp version like a shot.
MX-5 Lazza said:
If it weighs under 1000Kg and has a rev-happy 150bhp 1.6 it would be a great little car. I suspect they would try not to step on the toes of the MX5 though so it either won't happen or it will be woefully underpowered.
But assuming it's underpowered, small, cheap and FWD. Ideal for 17yo girls 1st car possibly...."Would you like an Aygo or a Mazda MX2 Susan?"
I can see a market there. IF it's cheap to insure.
Munter said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
If it weighs under 1000Kg and has a rev-happy 150bhp 1.6 it would be a great little car. I suspect they would try not to step on the toes of the MX5 though so it either won't happen or it will be woefully underpowered.
But assuming it's underpowered, small, cheap and FWD. Ideal for 17yo girls 1st car possibly...."Would you like an Aygo or a Mazda MX2 Susan?"
I can see a market there. IF it's cheap to insure.
Gizmo! said:
- the new Fiesta is a hair away from 1500kg kerb weight (more than my old E34 5-series!)
- a 1.3 Ka is 1415kg
- a 1.3 Ka is 1415kg
ETA, I know its wikipedia, but here the Ka (second gen) is down as 870 kg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ka
Also new Fiesta down as 1100 or so kg here too:-
http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/ford/ford-fiesta-s...
Where are you getting those figures from?
Edited by pbirkett on Monday 21st September 13:24
Surely a mx-2 should be somewhere between a suzuki cappicino and a smart coupe in size and performance.
My idea of spec -
0.8ltr - 1.2ltr NA/FI front engine (wouldnt be natural for it to be mid engine)
RWD
5 speed manual or a similar shift setup to the smart coupe but done right (sequential motorbike style box)
50/50 weight distribution
Basic spec feel lots of metal showing etc (like the cinquicento)
Mediocre equipment spec (the basic what you expect spec, similar to what you get in a pretty basic fiesta)
soft top only
Similar shape to the mx5 but smaller with more 60/70s design cues (think mini, fiat 1200, mgb, DB4 etc)
13" alloys
My idea of spec -
0.8ltr - 1.2ltr NA/FI front engine (wouldnt be natural for it to be mid engine)
RWD
5 speed manual or a similar shift setup to the smart coupe but done right (sequential motorbike style box)
50/50 weight distribution
Basic spec feel lots of metal showing etc (like the cinquicento)
Mediocre equipment spec (the basic what you expect spec, similar to what you get in a pretty basic fiesta)
soft top only
Similar shape to the mx5 but smaller with more 60/70s design cues (think mini, fiat 1200, mgb, DB4 etc)
13" alloys
Edited by Odie on Monday 21st September 15:10
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