September 29, 2008

2010 Mazda MX-5 pics leak months before Detroit unveil


When covering the auto industry, it's common for manufacturers to embargo stories or pictures. It's all part of the marketing game and in most cases, the media is happy to play along. Every so often, though... there will be leaks.

Today's news is more of a flood.

A biblical torrent of pictures for the 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata have hit the web today, nearly four months ahead of the car's official debut at the Detroit Motor Show next January.

The visual changes are extensive. Gone are the cough-drop inspired headlights and grille, replaced by a more dramatic form that has a bit more RX-8 mojo — and machismo — in the mix.

For the full gallery, click here.

No other details are available at this time, but expect the same 166-horsepower 2.0-liter inline four, the same five and six-speed transmissions and the same blissfully balanced driving experience.

Last month, Mazda officials killed the rumors of a 2010 MazdaSpeed Miata using a version of the turbo 2.3-liter DISI inline four found under the hood of the MazdaSpeed 3.

According to Mazda PR man Jeremy Barnes, the turbo motor fit just fine -- until the head was bolted on. The high pressure fuel pump required by the direct-injection system is driven off the exhaust cam. With the motor turned longitudinally, the fuel pump hits the Miata's firewall, ruling out the swap as a bolt-in affair.

[Km77.com]

No comments:

Post a Comment

Be the first to share your thoughts on this article!