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Autoblog Podcast #396

Episode #396 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, and Chris Paukert talk about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the 2016 Jaguar XE, and the 2015 Lexus RC. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #396:
Topics:

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata and MX-5 Miata RF pricing announced

At Chicago, Mazda has announced official 2018 pricing for the MX-5 Miata, both soft-top and RF. The trick-roofed RF version, or Retractable Fastback, has a coupe-like power hardtop that opens up into a targa. It's only natural that there are MX-5 models on display at the Chicago Auto Show, as 29 years earlier the original Miata was unveiled there. All ND generation cars sold in the U.S. have the 155-horsepower Skyactiv-G engine with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. While the canvas-topped 2018 MX-5 starts from $25,295 as a manual Sport, the RF bypasses the Sport spec and starts directly from the Club, which for the RF means a $31,910 starting price, or $355 more than for 2017; the soft-top 2018 Club costs $29,555 in comparison, or a measly $120 hike. The manual Club has a limited slip differential, a front strut brace and Bilstein suspension. Similarly to the soft-top car, the RF also gets a Brembo/BBS brake/wheel/appearance package that hikes the price to $35,680 — and that is only available with manual transmission. That package costs $32,925 for the soft-top, which has also a $700 Recaro sport seating option for the aforementioned Brembo/BBS package, but that is unavailable for the RF. Grand Touring comes with automatic climate control, heated leather seats and adaptive lighting, at a price of $30,195 for the soft top and $32,750 for the RF. Add new-for-2018 Nappa leather for the Grand Touring for $300. At launch in the 2017 model year, the RF Grand Touring was priced $3,000 dearer than a comparable soft-top version, but that difference has now shrunk by $500. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Mazda MX-5 RF: Chicago 2018 View 11 Photos Image Credit: Copyright 2018 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Auto News Chicago Auto Show Mazda Convertible Coupe Performance 2018 Chicago Auto Show

Mazda planning more powerful MX-5?

The new Mazda MX-5 will be available with a 1.5-liter four with 129 horsepower or 2.0-liter with 155. And while either engine may seem a tad on the small side for a sports car, they keep perfectly in line with what the Miata is all about. That doesn't mean, however, that more powerful options aren't under consideration. Speaking with Motoring.com.au at the launch of the new MX-5, Mazda's global PR chief Kudo Hidetoshi revealed that two options are under consideration. One would be a larger engine, and the other a turbocharged version of the existing 2.0. The former option would deliver the extra punch while keeping things naturally aspirated and free from turbo lag, but could throw off the weight balance Mazda has worked so hard to preserve. The more likely option, then, would be the turbocharged route that would allow the Zoom-Zoom brand to keep the roadster light and nimble, while still delivering an extra boost. Neither would be without its challenges, but if overcome, the resulting high-performance model could be sold as a Mazdaspeed model in some markets and as an MPS version in others. And, even if such a performance roadster were to get the go-ahead for production in some markets, there's no guarantee that it will be sold in the United States. Here's hoping. Related Video: