UK Gets 750 out of 1,000 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary Limited Editions

Whereas U.S. consumers were scrambling to secure one out of 100 Mazda MX-5 25th Anniversary editions, in the UK, the Japanese firm will offer 750 out of a global total of 1,000 individually numbered examples units, beginning from August 1, with pricing to be announced soon.

The UK-bound 25th Anniversary Limited Edition MX-5 gets the same upgrades as the to the U.S.-specification car plus a unique 6.1-inch touch screen Mazda Navigation System exclusively engineered for the Japanese brand by Alpine. The system features 46 European country maps, 29 different languages, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, an integrated CD, radio and DVD player with a 50:50 split screen.

Based on the retractable hardtop model with the 2.0-liter engine, the limited edition comes with an assortment of additional exterior and interior features that are otherwise unavailable on other MX-5s, and most importantly, new engine components such as pistons, connecting rods and flywheel.

The only color available is the unique Soul Red Metallic paint finish, complemented by Brilliant Black door mirrors, A pillars and power-operated hardtop, 17-inch Dark Gunmetal alloy wheels, a rear diffuser and chrome exhaust trim.

Inside, the cabin is dressed in Light Stone leather trimmed upholstery with contrasting red stitching, hand-painted Dark Red dashboard decoration panel, Brilliant Black roll-over bar covers, alloy pedal set and 25th Anniversary stainless steel scuff plates.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition Sold Out in 10 Minutes in the U.S.

At the New York Auto Show last month, Mazda launched the MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition and announced that only 100 units would be available in the States. Those were obviously not enough for the big fan base that the little roadster has in the country, as the limited run was sold out in just 10 minutes.

“It is no secret the MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition is a specially-crafted ‘Thank you’ to every MX-5 fan – former, current and hopefully future,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).

“The enthusiasm surrounding the MX-5 since its debut in 1989 has been nothing short of phenomenal, and we sincerely appreciate every single person that has experienced the absolute joy of driving in an MX-5 – whether behind the wheel or as a passenger. Since day one, this vehicle has been a true driver’s car and we hope to continue to build upon its dynamic legacy for generations to come,” he added.

250 registrants accessed the 25th anniversary pre-order microsite, only the first 100 of which were given the opportunity to pre-order an anniversary model. The MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition will arrive in dealerships beginning late summer, as will the rest of the 2015 model-year lineup.

Pricing for the limited edition model starts at $32,205 (excluding a $795 destination charge) for vehicles equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Automatic models start at $32,655. All anniversary models are equipped with a Power-Retractable Hard Top and owners will each receive a custom-crafted Tourneau watch and display winder box with MX-5 and 25th Anniversary logos.

All-New 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata Official Sketch Leaked, Debuts at NY Auto Show!

An official sketch of the next generation 2015 (or 2016MY) Mazda MX-5 Miata has been leaked ahead of the roadster model's unveil at the New York Auto Show later this month, confirming a recent report from Autoweek magazine that the Japanese firm would bring the car to the Big Apple for its world premiere.

We don't have any official information in our hands yet and thus, it's unclear whether the new MX-5 seen in this drawing previews the final production car or a very thinly disguised concept, as was the case with the Geneva motor show Mazda2 hatchback.

The styling of Mazda's new rear-wheel drive roadster is consistent with the brand's latest products incorporating the more aggressive and edgier Kodo design language. It's still identifiable as an MX-5, but it seems to have a more masculine feel to it – at least from this sketch.

Sources have indicated that the new car will ride on a lightweight platform and use new engines incorporating the brand's SkyActiv fuel efficiency technology – reportedly in four-cylinder 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter displacements.

The Fiat-Chrysler Alliance (FCA) has worked together with Mazda on the development of the fourth-gen MX-5 and plans to reveal its own car based on the Japanese roadster's underpinnings next year. Originally, Fiat announced that it would build an Alfa Romeo Spider replacement on the MX-5 chassis, but FCA boss Sergio Marchionne recently told journalists that the company is having second thoughts, and may end up using the platform for another brand – possibly Fiat or Abarth.

Urus Could Be Lamborghini's First Turbo

Ferrari has used turbochargers off and on over the years. Porsche has long embraced them. McLaren uses them exclusively these days. As do Pagani and Bugatti. Lamborghini never has, but that could all change in the near future.

According to Auto Express (whose reports we usually take with a grain or two of sodium chloride) in speaking with Sant'Agata's R&D chief Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini could be forced to start using turbocharged engines in the next three to four years. And their first application in the Raging Bull marque's history could be on the upcoming production version of the Urus concept.

The Urus, for those who may not recall, was a crossover concept unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show two years ago and which we saw in a closed-door preview just before that during the New York Auto Show. Taking a sportier approach than the unapologetically utilitarian LM002 (popularly known as the "Rambo Lambo"), the Urus followed the Estoque sedan concept in testing the waters for a different kind of Lamborghini – one to which potential buyers apparently responded positively, as the Italian automaker has been working on bringing it to production ever since.

That is now expected to come in 2017, with production slated to take place (or at least begin) in Slovakia at the same Bratislava plant that builds the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg – the next-generation versions of which will share their MLB platform with the Urus as well as Bentley's upcoming SUV, known until now as the EXP 9 F (the F standing for Falcon).

Whenever the Urus finally reaches production and wherever it's built, rumors are strongly indicating that it will be powered by the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (or some form thereof) developed by Bentley and Audi. Considering that the Cayenne is already available with turbo power and that the upcoming Maserati Levante likely will as well, the development will likely shock no one outside of Ferruccio's most faithful followers.

Leno Stretches Lamborghini Diablo's Legs For Latest Garage Installment

 

While posters of the Lamborghini Countach decorated the walls of many boys' walls in the 1980s, the Diablo filled that spot for young men in the early 1990s thanks to its extreme styling. In its latest video, Jay Leno's Garage welcomes a beautiful, white 1991 Diablo into his garage for a look back on what is now a classic supercar.

Unlike some of the vehicles Leno shows off, this one doesn't belong to him. Instead, veteran Italian car mechanic Franco Barbuscia owns it. He has been maintaining Jay's Countach for years. A '91 Diablo is an archaic supercar by today's standards. It doesn't have power steering, anti-lock brakes or obviously anything like traction control. It's just a big V12 hanging behind the driver with a wonderfully meaty roar that emanates from the exhaust.

Franco's Diablo might actually be better than new. It has a few upgrades to aid in drivability, like re-spaced pedals, a carbon-Kevlar clutch and more. Apparently all of the tweaks help a lot because, "it rides smoother than my Carrera GT," Leno enthuses about the car. Scroll down to reminisce about this Italian classic and get an ear full of its wonderful sound. 

Future Mazda CX-9 to Ditch Current V6 for Turbo, Not Diesel

The only visually unattractive vehicle in the Mazda range, the CX-9 SUV, is thankfully going to go away by 2016, to be replaced by an all-new model that adheres to the brand’s current engineering and design ideals.

It got its power from a Ford-sourced V6 engine, which they’re still using today ever since in-house production of similar units was stopped in the late 1990s. The next-gen model will ditch these altogether, getting its power most likely from “a downsized turbocharged solution,” Masahiro Moro, Mazda’s global head of sales and marketing, told Australia's Caradvice.

He explained that the automaker is shifting its attitude towards turbocharged petrol engines because the technology has improved, though because the CX-9 is mostly a US market model, the chances of also seeing a diesel under its hood are quite slim.

Moro added that, “as Mazda is moving up towards premium territory, at some point in time we will need a six-cylinder,” though “it’s too early, we don’t have a car yet. But we are collecting advice as to V6 or straight six.”

Mazda Has Built More than 1 Million Skyactiv Vehicles Since November 2011

Mazda announced that it has built more than one million units of its three full-Skyactiv vehicles, the CX-5, Mazda6/Atenza and Mazda3/Axela. Production of the three models reached 1,040,000 units at the end of March 2014, two years and four months after production of the first Skyactiv vehicle, the CX-5, began in November 2011.

All three models adopt the full range of Mazda’s Skyactiv technologies which are aimed at improving the efficiency of the base components that dictate the fundamental performance of the automobile, such as the engine and transmission, while reducing vehicle weight.

“At Mazda we put everything into developing our Skyactiv vehicles, and it is because these models have struck a chord with a wide range of customers all over the world that we have reached the one million-unit landmark,” said Mazda’s Representative Director, President and CEO, Masamichi Kogai.

Mazda is currently building its three full-Skyactiv models in Japan, Mexico, Thailand and China, and selling them in over 100 different countries and regions. By March 2016, the company plans to introduce another five all-new models with improved SkyactivTechnology.

The new generation vehicles that feature Skyactiv Technology also adopt Mazda’s KODO - Soul of Motion design philosophy, which aims to express the strength, beauty and tension, found in the movements of untamed animals.

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S Stuttgart re-chambers the Turbo

We’d suggest that Porsche change the 911 Turbo and Turbo S’s names to “Hold onto your Effing Hats,” but that would look stupid spelled out on the decklid. You see, the Turbo twins are all about speed, and now Porsche finally has introduced the latest models based on the 991-generation 911. As you’d expect, the newest Turbo and Turbo S are rolling stats machines, ready to churn out mind-bending performance figures at the flex of a right foot. Both 911s return with all-wheel drive, twin turbos, and a host of electronic gizmos, with additions including a new four-wheel-steering setup, active aerodynamics, and more comfort and convenience features.

Drumroll, Please . . . More Power!

The Turbo and Turbo S continue to be propelled by a twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter flat-six with different outputs, both of which increase for 2014. In the Turbo, horsepower notches up from 500 to 520, while torque increases by 7 lb-ft to 487. (The optional Sport Chrono package brings a temporary overboost function that bumps torque by 37 lb-ft for short bursts.) The Turbo S sees an even greater horsepower increase, from 530 to 560, but makes the same 516 lb-ft of torque as last year; the Sport Chrono gear and overboost function is standard on the S.

Manual-transmission purists take note: The base Turbo’s standard six-speed manual transmission has been ditched. Every Turbo and Turbo S comes exclusively with Porsche’s (admittedly excellent) seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. While we lament the loss of another stick, we can’t exactly say we didn’t see it coming—Porsche’s latest GT3 also chucked its manual in favor of a PDK. The Turbo’s transmission sends power to an upgraded all-wheel-drive system. Like the outgoing model, it utilizes an electronically controlled multi-plate center coupling to distribute power to the front and rear axles. New this year, however, is a water-cooling setup for the coupling, which enabled engineers to program the car’s brain to send more torque to the front wheels than before. Thanks to the increase in power and front-axle participation, Porsche’s claimed acceleration figures for the 2014 Turbo and Turbo S undercut those of the already quick 2013 models. Standard Turbos will hit 60 mph in a claimed 3.4 seconds, with the optional Sport Chrono package shaving another two tenths of a second from that time. Porsche says the Turbo S, with its standard Sport Chrono kit, does the deed in just 2.9 ticks. If those numbers don’t have you giddy yet, keep in mind that Porsche’s factory performance estimates are typically conservative; for example, we cracked off an eye-widening 2.7-second 0­–60 time with a previous-gen Turbo S in a comparison test. So the new one could be even quicker. Top speed is a claimed 196 mph for the Turbo and 198 mph for the Turbo S.

Mazda to Debut All-New MX-5 at New York Auto Show, Claims Report

Just last week, Mazda told us that it would bring more than a dozen MX-5 models from the past, ranging from concepts to racers and production cars, to this April's New York Auto Show, but made no mention of unveiling the new generation roadster. However, a fresh report citing unnamed inside sources now says that we will see the all-new MX-5 in the Big Apple.

"Our sources have confirmed that Mazda will bring the new MX-5 to the New York auto show. The exact launch date it still to be decided," reads an updated report on Autoweek.

It was believed that Mazda would introduce the fourth iteration of its successful roadster series at the Chicago Auto Show next year, where the original model was unveiled a quarter of a century ago.

Until we find out more, we wouldn't rule out the possibility that Mazda may show a thinly disguised concept of the MX-5 in New York, leaving the actual production car for the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.

Someone Please Get These Mazda SUVs a Room

For every spine-chilling accident recorded on Russian dash-cams, there's always at least one incident on the web that will leave you either scratching your head or bursting into laughter.

We may be chuckling at how the driver of the white Mazda CX-5 proceeded to get in front of the line in traffic, but something tells us that the unfortunate owner of the CX-7 didn't find the move amusing at all…

If you watch the video until the end, you'll see that the CX-5 driver immediately ran to the BMW 1-Series hatch in front and tried to open the passenger door. Unless it was someone he was chasing, we assume he wanted to play the blame game.

Porsche Plans to Increase Workforce by 24 Percent in 5 Years

Porsche plans to increase its workforce by about 24 percent in order to support its growth ambitions, with the German automaker unveiling plans to hire about 1,000 employees annually over the next five years. The new employees will be hired primarily outside the automaker’s home market of Germany, said Thomas Edig, Porsche’s head of personnel. At the end of May, the workforce totaled 21,100 people worldwide.

The company’s announcement contrasts with the European auto industry’s reductions in personnel as manufacturers streamline operations following a six-year sales slump. Porsche has hired about 8,400 people since 2010 and has a target to sell a record 200,000 cars in 2015 after launching the Macan compact SUV in April. “We won’t continue to grow along the lines of the past four years, but we do need to expand on the personnel side,” Edig told Bloomberg, adding that new jobs will be in model development, production, sales and servicing.

Following the addition of the Macan compact crossover, the fifth model line in the automaker’s lineup, Porsche may shift its attention to a new model, a supercar to take on Ferrari’s 458 Italia. Porsche CEO Matthias Müller said in February that the company might take a decision on the supercar by mid-2014.

Porsche remains one of the most profitable automaker in the world, with an 18 percent profit margin posted in the first quarter this year, significantly above the company’s target of 15 percent. Porsche was the second-biggest contributor to VW’s earnings, after Audi.

Audi SQ7 Coming, Will Have Electric Turbo

Formula 1 and endurance racing are already harvesting energy from turbos on the track, and now it's apparently time for a similar idea of boosting the efficiency of forced induction to hit the streets in a high-performance, diesel SUV.

In a recent interview with the UK's Autocar, Audi technical boss Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg let the big news slip. "The new Q7 will be available in the market next year but the electric turbo will come a bit later in the Audi SQ7 available in 2016," he said. The e-turbo system was already rumored for the premium SUV but for the standard model, not this just-announced performance version.

Audi has been experimenting with the e-turbo system for a little while, as an electrically driven supercharger. It showed up on the RS5 TDI concept that used a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged diesel V6 plus the electric system to diminish turbo lag. In that application, it provided an impressive 385 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque and an alleged sprint to 62 miles per hour in 4 seconds. Although, Dr. Hackenberg didn't make it clear if this was the exact layout for the SQ7.

According to Autocar, the sophisticated system is powered by its own, separate 48-volt electrical system that drives a 7-kilowatt (9.4 horsepower) motor to spin the supercharger. When the internal combustion engine is at low revs, it provides the needed boost but shuts off as engine revs rise to let the turbos take over.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition Priced from $32,205*, Only 100 will be Made

The pre-order program for the 2015 MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition that was unveiled at the New York Auto Show last month will commence on May 20, with Mazda to open a new microsite on its U.S. page for those interested in placing their name to purchase one of the 100 special edition roadsters.

Prices for the anniversary model that is available exclusively with the retractable hardtop start at $32,205 MSRP, not including a $795 (*) destination and handling charge.

According to a Mazda statement: "The pre-order program will run through 11:25 AM PDT, May 31, 2014, or when 250 customers have registered, whichever comes first. All 100 MX-5 Miata 25th Anniversary Edition buyers will go through an exclusive pre-order process for their vehicle. Registered customers will be contacted directly by MNAO to confirm purchase intent. Upon verification, the customer's information will be forwarded to the dealership of their choosing to finalize the transaction."

If you're interested, two things you need to keep in mind is that Mazda is preparing an all-new generation MX-5 for next year, and that, at this price point, your options widen considerably and include cars like the 332hp V6 Nissan 370Z ($29,990 MSRP for the base model and $33,020 for the Sport Package edition).

The 25th Anniversary Edition of the MX-5 comes in a deep Soul Red Metallic exterior coating with gloss black details, and gets 17-inch gunmetal alloys shod in Bridgestone Potenza RE05A 205/45R17-84W tires, Almond-color leather seats and other bespoke interior trim accents and finishes. Under the hood, Mazda says it refined the 2.0-liter unit with "hand-selected pistons, connecting rods and flywheel".

Besides the styling and mechanical upgrades, all buyers of the special edition will receive a custom-crafted Tourneau watch and display winder box.

Mazda also released pricing for the rest of the 2015 MX-5 range with the soft-top version starting at $23,970 (plus handling) and the Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) model from $28,665 (plus handling).

Polaris Slingshot Hits The Road On All Three

If there's one thing that the likes of Morgan and Campagna have taught us, it's that a three-wheeled roadster can be one heck of a fun ride, bringing together the best elements of a motorbike and a sports car (albeit with none of the practicality). And now they've got a new challenger on their hands in the form of the Slingshot.

The Polaris Slingshot has been on our radar screen for a few months, but has now been revealed in full. It's similar in form to the Three-Wheeler or T-Rex, but looks more like a KTM X-Bow minus a rear wheel. Which may make sense considering that, like the X-Bow, the Slingshot is made by a motorcycle company: Polaris makes snowmobiles and ATVs (as well as Victory and Indian motorcycles). The company is sort of like Bombardier, but where BRP's Can-Am Spyder (with its saddle and handlebars) went with a motorbike approach with an extra wheel, the Polaris Slingshot (though technically deemed a motorcycle for certification purposes) is more like a roadster missing one.

The 2.4-liter GM Ecotec four sits up front, channeling 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque through a five-speed manual transmission and carbon-reinforced drive belt to the solitary rear wheels. In true motorbike-manufacturer style (where pace depends mostly on the rider), Polaris hasn't revealed performance specs. But in a package weighing just 1,700 pounds, it ought to go like spit. Measuring less than 150 inches tall by 77.6 inches wide and 51.9 inches tall, and riding on a 105-inch wheelbase with a 69-inch front track and sitting just 5 inches off the ground, it ought to feel even faster, especially considering that it's got no roof and barely any windshield to speak of. With 11.8-inch vented disc brakes at each of its three corners, it ought to stop on a dime as well.

Pricing starts at $19,999 for the base model and $23,999 for the better-equipped Slingshot SL. It comes with a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty extendable up to five years and will be sold by Polaris, Victory and Indian dealers across the country, although the specific laws of its registration (and whether you'll have to wear a helmet when driving it) depend on each state's individual regulations. Check it out on the Polaris website and in the playlist of eleven short video clips below.

Lamborghini Gets To Work On Huracán LP610-4 Super Trofeo

We all know the story of how Automobili Lamborghini got its start. The short of it is that Ferruccio, who had already started a successful tractor business, wanted to stick it to Enzo Ferrari, so he started making sports cars of his own. Lamborghini, however, never embraced motorsports to the same degree that Ferrari has – dabbling in Formula One engines in the early '90s and the occasional foray into GT racing – but these days the Raging Bull marque is getting more serious about racing. It partners with Reiter Engineering to field competition versions of its road-going supercars, and organizes its own one-make series with individual championships around the world.

That's where the new Huracán comes in. While the Ferrari Challenge has progressed from the 348 to the 355, 360, 430 and now the 458, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo has always been centered around the Gallardo. That's because the series only kicked off in 2009, and the Gallardo had been in production since 2003. But now that the Gallardo has been replaced by the Huracán, the Squadra Corse team is hard at work on their new Super Trofeo racer.

To that end, Lamborghini has recruited racing drivers Fabio Babini and Adrian Zaugg to conduct development work on the Huracán LP 610-4 Super Trofeo. Babini is a GT racing veteran who took a class win at Le Mans in 2001, while Zaugg came up the formula racing ladder, competing on A1GP and GP2 before signing on as a Lamborghini factory driver.

They car they'll be working on will be a stripped-out, track-tuned racing version of the new Huracán, retaining its 5.2-liter V10 to drive the same 602 horsepower to all four wheels. It could ditch the heavy dual-clutch gearbox in favor of a lighter, more hardcore sequential gearbox, and will likely pack a tighter, lower suspension, upgraded brakes, more extreme aero and other competition-spec goodies. The resulting racer will serve as the backbone for individual championships in Europe, Asia and North America. In the meantime, Lambo has taken the Huracán to the track for the Lamborghini Accademia, pictured above.

Biker Rear Ends a Mazda CX-5 Allegedly at 140mph or 225km/h and Lives!

All it takes is one second of removing your focus off the road for an accident or a near crash to occur. Naturally, the faster you're going, the less time you'll have in your disposal to react and respond to a dangerous situation.

The author of this YouTube video is 'XKotovX' who claims to be the one riding the motorcycle (we have not confirmed this) that rear-ended the Mazda CX-5 crossover on a highway near Fort Collins in Colorado.

In the description, he states: "My motorcycle crash at 140 MPH [225km/h]". Like many commentators on YouTube, we're also a tad skeptical about the speed claim as it doesn't look like he was going 140mph fast - but nevertheless, if he did indeed live, it's nothing short of a miracle. We're going to leave it at that for now and until we find more details about the incident – if you know or have heard something, send us an email or tell us in the

Mazda Hazumi Concept will Make a Great Mazda2 Successor

It’s no secret that the Mazda Hazumi that is celebrating its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show previews the next-generation Mazda2 supermini, and that’s a good thing judging from the way the study looks. The new concept car builds on Mazda’s KODO design philosophy, sporting similar cues to the new Mazda3 and Mazda6.

Hazumi is a Japanese word meaning to “bound” or “spring up” and was chosen to convey an image of a small but vigorous animal, bursting with energy. “Whereas with longer models such as the Shinari we use long and free lines of motion stretching from front to back to express KODO, with Hazumi we’ve created a form which suggests explosive motion,” says Hazumi chief designer Ryo Yanagisawa.

Sized similarly to the current Mazda2, the study features an athletic stance, with the compact cabin placed as far to the rear as possible moving the center of gravity near the rear wheels. The wedge shaped body starts from the low and pronounced nose and rises toward the rear to impart a strong sense of forward motion. The short overhangs and pronounced fenders underline the car’s strong and athletic stance.

On the inside, the Hazumi has a clean dashboard, with the instrument panel shaped like the wing of an airplane and the center console suspended like a bridge, enhancing the feeling of space and creating more room in the foot wells.

The instrument cluster is designed around the driver’s center axis and features a single, centrally-positioned gauge with displays spreading like wings on either side. The layout of the center display, Active Driving Display, and commander control, is based on Mazda’s Human Machine Interface (HMI) concept called the Heads-Up Cockpit.

The materials used for the controls and displays combine hard chiseled metal with deep acrylic material, while black and white leather adorns the seats and the instrument panel, respectively.

The Mazda study is powered with 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic, which emits under 90 grams of CO2 per kilometer and fulfills Euro 6 emissions requirements. Mazda Hazumi is also fitted with the i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety technologies based on Mazda Proactive Safety.

Mazda RX-7/RX-8 Rumored to Arrive in 2017 with All-New 300HP Rotary Engine

Mazda is said to bring back the rotary engine to the global automotive stage when a successor for the RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars launches in 2017. The timing is not random, as in 2017, Mazda will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first car powered by a Wankel rotary engine, the Cosmo Sport.

According to an Autoexpress report, just like the RX-7 and RX-8 before it, the new Mazda sports car will be bigger and more powerful than the Mazda MX-5 roadster. More importantly, it should be more fuel-efficient and reliable than its predecessors, with engineers working to solve the Wankel’s engine typical flaws, high fuel and oil consumption and low torque, without going the turbocharged route.

Engineers are said to be using Mazda’s Skyactiv technology, which favors shedding weight and using high compression ratios to boost power and efficiency from naturally aspirated engines. The new rotary engine is rumored to produce around 300 hp, up from 238 hp in the most powerful RX-8. The RX-8’s engine is expected to be mated to six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions.

In order to save weight, Mazda is likely to return to a classic two-door coupe body style rather than continue the RX-8’s four-door configuration. Discontinued in 2010, the RX-8 tipped the scales at around 1,310 kg (2,888 lbs), 120 kg (264.5 lbs) more than a current Toyota GT 86. Naturally, Mazda’s upcoming sports car will stick to rear-wheel drive, especially since the car is said to be based on an extended version of the new MX-5’s platform, modified to support the more potent powertrain.

It is unclear yet whether Mazda will use the RX-7 or RX-8 nameplates once again or resort to a new RX-9 moniker.

Mazda to Celebrate 25 Years of MX-5 Miata with a Historic Display at NY Show

It may have been more appropriate to celebrate the MX-5 Miata's 25th anniversary at the Chicago Auto Show this year, since the original model did debut in The Windy City on February 9, 1989, but Mazda chose the more popular New York International Auto Show to host what it calls, "the biggest birthday party yet for the storied two-seat roadster".

This party will see Mazda placing on display 15 MX-5 vehicles, ranging from motor show concepts to racers and production models.

The Japanese firm did not reveal any details about the cars it will bring to the Big Apple, but if you'd like to speculate on which MX-5s it should show, go ahead and tell us in the comments after you take a look at the gallery we've assembled below.

Speaking about the NY happening, Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) commented:

“MX-5 Miata is the quintessential Mazda. And after 25 years, every vehicle in the lineup continues to feature some characteristic of MX-5: a fluid shifter, lightness on its feet, quickness around a corner, a fun-to-drive DNA. With all the whiz-bang technology and comfort amenities increasingly added to modern vehicles, MX-5’s direct connection between car and driver still remains the standard feature that puts smiles on drivers’ faces.”

The word on the street is that Mazda may show the next MX-5's platform in NY, with the actual car to debut at next year's Chicago Auto Show.