The original Mazda MX-5 Miata was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989, and 26 years later Mazda is still going at it.
The latest 2016 MX-5 Miata has already seen the light of day, but Mazda chose Chicago to unveil a new “accessories concept” showcasing personalization options for the compact sports car.
To wit, this Ceramic Metallic show car gets some sharp new threads in the form of an Aero Kit. Consisting of a front air dam, side-sill extensions, rear bumper skirt, and rear lip spoiler, it’s the same setup used on the MX-5 Global Cup racer.
Adding to the racy styling is a Brembo front-brake kit with red calipers and 17-inch BBS wheels.
If you want your sports car to look more British country lane than Laguna Seca, there’s also a trunk-mounted luggage rack. It’s made from carbon fiber and weighs less than two pounds, Mazda says.
No modifications were made to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder “Skyactiv-G” engine, which produces 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be available in the new Miata.
While the 2016 Miata will probably come with more tech options than previous versions, Mazda says it is staying true to the car’s light-and-nimble philosophy.
The new car weighs about 150 pounds less than its predecessor, and Mazda says chopping the length 4.1 inches brings it close to the original Miata’s size.
Officially, all of the new parts on the MX-5 Miata accessories concept aren’t slated for production just yet, but expect at least some of them to become available when the new Miata goes on sale later this year.
