The current generation Mazda Miata weighs about 2,500 pounds and has 167 horsepower. Official specs of the 2016 Mazda Miata are yet to be revealed, but a rumor from Australia says its lost a third of its power. We're calling bullshit.
Motoring in Australia is reporting that the ND Miata will weigh 2,248 pounds, which is in line with what Mazda has been saying all along about weight savings on the new car. The measurements of the new car also make it shorter than the first generation car, but wider with a slightly longer wheelbase.
The real interesting information comes from the engine bay, where Motoring says that the Miata will be powered by a 1.5 liter SkyActiv engine with 128 horsepower. We always knew that was a possibility, but, like most rumors from Australia, we should take this with a grain of salt. Rumors like this always seem to originate in Australia. These rumors also never seen to come to fruition. Ever.
The idea that the Miata will make 40 fewer horsepower and have its power to weight ratio balloon, despite weight savings, seems a bit misguided. Our pals at Motor Authority are reporting that would mean the ND would have 17.57 pound per horsepower, as opposed to the 14.67 pounds per horsepower the current car carries. Seems like a step backwards to us.
The Miata is not a Daihatsu Copen. We might expect that this engine would be offered, but it'd be either abroad, JDM only, or a base engine on a very stripped out model. The rumor we've heard all along (and that seems more likely) is that there is a 1.5 liter turbo engine (remember when we heard turbos in that early preview video?) and the 2.0 liter SkyActiv. The 2.0 SkyActiv would be a great fit, since it makes 155 horsepower in the Mazda3 and would maintain the balance for which the Miata is known.