Mark 3 MX5

[MattW]

Front page of Autoexpress - I think these are the first offical shots, what does everyone think?

The front is very Rx8 but personally I don't think the sleekness has been carried over to the rear - it will be interesting to see one in the metal. Half tempted to see if I can get a cheap flight to Geneva to check it out.

It's a shame they did not progress with the metal hard top as that looked good - although the weight issues that this configuration would bring, probably go against the prinicples of the car.

Matt

[Pierscoe1]

looks rubbish!

just looks like an RX8 scaled down in dimensions, but with the features all still the same size..

(think grown mans eyes,nose,ears,mouth all crammed onto a baby's head)

looks really podgy and overweight to me..

[thegreatsoprendo]

MattW said:

Front page of Autoexpress - I think these are the first offical shots

Just photoshopped pics that first appeared in Auto Bild a few months ago, apparently....

Edited to add this link:
www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=14961&start=0

>> Edited by thegreatsoprendo on Wednesday 2nd February 22:46

[Twin Turbo]

Yep, you can normally tell with AE as it'll have an "official" logo when it's the real deal, or "exclusive" when it's a photoshop or dodgy spy photo.

Slightly off topic, but AE claim their story of the AMV8 Vantage was an exclusive. Funny that, as similar stories have appeared in Evo, Autocar, Car etc etc.

For what it's worth, I actually quite liked the car (MX5) in the picture, especially the CC version (hints of new Merc SLK).

[KITT]

Don't like that large semi-circular curve across the middle of the bonnet and the frumpy looking rear end.

Do like the subtly flaired wheel arches, rear lights, twin roll hoops and twin tail pipes. I recon a darker colour (black perhaps) will suit it much better.

[Bill Carr]

I quite like the general looks of the thing, apart from the slightly "rumpy" rear, and the indent on the bonnet. I think the RX8-lite front is quite smart, and looks a bit more aggressive than the current version. Like the sound of a bigger boot too.

What I do find a little disturbing is that it looks like the 1.8 will be slower than the current model (given it has less power) and more expensive. And how much extra is the 2.0 version going to cost? The current £500 differential between 1.6 and 1.8 seems quite reasonable, but I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if Mazda continued that differential.

[benjc]

Bill Carr said:

I quite like the general looks of the thing, apart from the slightly "rumpy" rear, and the indent on the bonnet. I think the RX8-lite front is quite smart, and looks a bit more aggressive than the current version. Like the sound of a bigger boot too. What I do find a little disturbing is that it looks like the 1.8 will be slower than the current model (given it has less power) and more expensive. And how much extra is the 2.0 version going to cost? The current £500 differential between 1.6 and 1.8 seems quite reasonable, but I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if Mazda continued that differential.

Really don't worry, the Mk3 will not look like the bastard son of an MR-s and an RX-8.

There needs to be a differential between the the two models...if the 1.8 is chucking out 146bhp (current power) and the 2.0 is making 158bhp(expected) they are too close. Also bear in mind that the Mk3 is expected to weigh less than the mk 2/2.5, again, pulling the power to weight ratio more in line with the current 1.8.

I think Mazda have done really well with keeping the new 5 under wraps, I also suspect it is going to be a blinding drivers car, carrying over the ethos of the original 5 of cheap thrills.

Also...that 2.0 is gonna be hella fun to turbocharge.