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2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata gets 25 percent fuel economy boost

Just days after revealing full pricing and specs for each trim level of the 2016 MX-5 Miata, Mazda is spilling the beans on the roadster's fuel economy. As it turns out, the numbers show an impressive boost over the previous generation. All 2016 Miatas in the US are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. With a six-speed manual, the EPA estimates fuel economy of 27 miles per gallon city, 34 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. Buyers choosing the six-speed automatic, which is a $1,075 option (that you should absolutely not choose), are expected to get 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. Compared to the previous-gen model with a six-speed manual, these latest numbers represent a 25-percent improvement in mileage. The boost in economy for the Miata likely comes from a variety of sources. Underneath the hood is one of Mazda's latest Skyactiv engines, and the loss of around 150 pounds from the last gen helps too. Production of the latest version of the famous roadster is already underway, and they should start arriving at dealers in the late summer. 2016 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA FUEL ECONOMY IMPROVES DRAMATIC 25 PERCENT VERSUS OUTGOING MODEL 24/04/15 - Mazda's Flagship Roadster Highlights Improvements Displayed by SKYACTIV Technology - IRVINE, Calif., April 24, 2015 -- Lighter, quicker and more nimble than its predecessor, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata demonstrates the power innovation can have when re-engineering a roadster from the ground up. In addition to all of the aforementioned improvements the 2016 MX-5 has, fuel economy can now be added to the list, with MX-5 achieving an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway/30 mpg combined when equipped with the standard SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission (EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway/30 mpg combined when equipped with the six-speed automatic). This performance represents a 25-percent increase in fuel economy versus the 2015 MX-5's EPA-estimated fuel economy when paired with the outgoing model's available six-speed manual transmission, highlighting the benefits of SKYACTIV Technology. "SKYACTIV Technology is more than a catchphrase for Mazda; it's a total effort to increase efficiency, improve performance, safety and technology and instill each Mazda vehicle with a directness and responsiveness that's unmatched in the segments in which our vehicles compete," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations.

Mazda's game plan: Compression ignition, superchargers, EVs — and still fun to drive

Today, Mazda announced its new Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 initiative. Dumb marketingspeak name aside, this is Mazda's general plan to make its cars more efficient while still keeping Mazda's fun-to-drive character. The most notable part of this announcement is Mazda's new Skyactiv-X engines and the addition of EVs and electrified powertrains starting in 2019. As we reported back in January, this new supercharged Skyactiv-X engine family will be the first to use high-compression ignition, or HCCI, rather than traditional spark plugs. Each year, fuel economy and CO2 emissions standards grow ever tighter. Each and every automaker around is looking for ways to improve both factors. Initially, most have chosen to downsize engines and add turbochargers. That's why Mazda's new Skyactiv-X engines are going to be so special. They essentially work like a diesel engine, using extremely high compression to ignite the fuel rather than the flame from a spark plug. Adding a supercharger rather than a turbo retains a smooth and immediate engine response. Look for a 10 to 30 percent increase in torque and a sizable boost in fuel economy. Mazda's engine already have some of the highest compression ratios around, but these new engines will push well into diesel territory. The biggest issue so far with gasoline compression ignition is controlling when the gasoline ignites. Mazda claims to have solved this issue, seamlessly moving from spark to compression ignition. This new plan comes 10 years after the first Sustainable Zoom-Zoom initiative was announced. With Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030, Mazda wants to focus on the Earth, society, and people. Together with the new engines, Mazda hopes to create a sustainable future that still involves engaging and fun-to-drive automobiles. First, Mazda wants to consider emissions over the entire life of a car. That means reducing emissions generated while building the car or fueling and charging a car in addition to those released while it's on the road. The goal is to reduce emissions to 50 percent of 2010 levels by 2030, and a 90 percent reduction by 2050. New electrified models will debut in 2019 in markets that have a high ratio of clean energy for power generation. Mazda's focus on society aims to improve safety with the Mazda Proactive Safety philosophy. Like with Skyactiv, this ethos goes far beyond simply improving an engine or adding new active safety technology.

Mazda pits 2016 MX-5 Miata against the original

Mazda has toiled admirably to keep the latest MX-5 Miata true to the spirit of the original. But just how close did the team come? To find out, the Japanese automaker brought two bookending examples of its iconic roadster down to a racetrack in Spain and put them in the hands of a couple of endurance racing drivers – Jade Paveley in the original, Owen Mildenhall in the new model. Whichever crossed the finish line first at the end of one lap would win. And because 25 years of progress wouldn't exactly make it a fair match, they gave the original a four-second head start. Watch the video above to see how it went down. Related Video: