It's Official - 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Gets More Power - New Top

Today Mazda made official the engine upgrades we first reported in early April. The biggest news is that the new Miata engine will produce 181 hp, up from the current 155 hp. Torque is up only 3 ft-lbs, but Mazda says the new Miata has, "...a richer torque curve throughout MX-5’s entire rev range." However, there is also news about the soft top, telescoping wheel, and rear-view camera.

The new engine will be the most powerful production engine in any Miata. The approximately 15% bump should enable 0-60 MPH times faster than the previously recorded times of 5.9 seconds. The Miata will continue to be the quickest vehicle in its class (sub-$30K roadsters). This will also put more daylight between the already quicker Miata and the slower Fiat 124 Spider.

The following are the engine changes Mazda has announced today:
• Reducing internal mass and friction: Each piston has been reduced 27g in mass, thanks to a minimized skirt area. Connecting rods are 41g lighter than previous units.
• Reducing exhaust loss: The upgraded engine carries an increased valve opening angle and valve lift height. The inner diameter of the exhaust manifold has also been increased. The net results are a 30-percent reduction in pumping losses.
• Improved combustion: Reconfigured intake ports and new high-diffusion, higher-pressure fuel injectors improve the tumble and swirl of fuel in the cylinder and better-atomize fuel. The benefit is improved efficiency and torque at all rpm.
• Dual-mass flywheel: Replacing the single-mass flywheel with a low-inertia, dual-mass flywheel improves smoothness and responsiveness.
• A new exhaust system with richer sound quality.
• New final drive ratio: The transmission’s final drive ratio has been increased from 3.454 to 3.583 in order to improve linear response to match the driver’s intentions. Gear ratios are otherwise unchanged from previous models.

In addition to the drivetrain changes, the new 2019 Mazda Miata will also add a new Haartz soft top to its color palette. The new color is shown in the image above.

Mazda's Miata will also have a new telescoping wheel, something owners of past Miatas (like your author) missed. A new rear-view camera will be standard and newly available features such as Traffic Sign Recognition and Smart City Brake Support spread through the trims.

The new 2019 Mazda Miata will be on-sales this fall, and Torque News is scheduled to drive the new vehicle on and off track in October. We look forward to reporting our test results.