To facilitate the higher rev limit Mazda made the switch to an electronic wasted-spark ignition system in lieu of a distributor. Furthermore, the ZE enjoyed a host of performance-centric tweaks, with a lightened crankshaft and flywheel for greater engine response and an increased redline (7,200 rpm).Īdditionally, this engine also used an aluminum oil sump with cooling fins for further weight reduction. Most obvious of which is that it’s mounted longitudinally for rear-wheel-drive purposes. However, it underwent further developments to optimize it for the Miata. Notably, it’s part of the B6 family which is already employed across various Mazda models. It outputs a modest 116 horsepower and 100 ft-lb of torque. Miata 1990 Mazda Miata 1990 – 1.6 Miata EngineĮarly generation NA Miatas all came with the 1.6-liter B6ZE DOHC naturally aspirated inline-4 engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI). But it was a canvas for enthusiasts to build up from. This base model though didn’t have power steering and only came with steel wheels. It weighs under one tonne without any options. This reduced weight but most importantly lowered the center of gravity. It’s a small manual-folding roadster with all-steel construction but intriguingly utilized aluminum for the hood. Even now that very philosophy still lies deep within the latest ND Miata, albeit with modern accouterments that make it friendlier to the masses.ĭefinitely, the NA Miata is lightweight. It simply intended the Miata to be a straightforward, no-frills sports car that can be driven daily. It simply took the recipe that made cars like the Triumph Spitfire and MG B appealing and tweaked it for an international market.įor one thing, the Miata never emphasized any particular trait in developing the Miata. While the Miata certainly wasn’t Mazda’s first rodeo with a sportscar, it was different in that Mazda didn’t try to reimagine the lightweight roadster. Best of all? It was available at an MSRP of $14,000. Cited by major publications as the best car/automobile of the year, it’s easy to imagine why it was the sportscar to have. This is further exacerbated by favorable press reviews. Unexpected by Mazda, demands for the Miata far exceeded initial production capabilities. Miata is really only used in the US, but it’s such a well-known car that people know what you’re referring to when you say Miata. In its homeland, Japan, it’s the Eunos Roadster. In Europe or the UK, people call it the MX-5. You’ll also know that the Miata goes by a multitude of names. Miata is the synonym, and given that Mazda liked the sound of Miata, they just went with it. It also translates to ‘reward’, but it’s an obsolete German lexicon. The explanation behind it is succinct, as ‘meed’ was what was found in the old Oxford English Dictionary. ![]() Named after the old German word for ‘reward’. In fact, it’s available to buyers the earliest in the US and Canada. Marketed in the US under the MX-5 Miata name, it’s different in that the Miata is designed to sell in the US. On February 10, 1989, Mazda unveiled a sportscar at the Chicago Auto Show, one that was unlike anything it had made. It’s also the sportscar that until now still influences design decisions made by various other manufacturers when it comes to enthusiast vehicles. Otherwise, it’s just worthwhile to learn more about the car that single-handedly preserved affordable sportscars for the masses. If you’re one of many who are interested in purchasing a Mazda Miata 1990, then this article will help you understand the Miata better. With the second-generation NB Miata following closely behind. To be more specific, the first generation, dubbed the NA Miata, is possibly the most popular model for aspiring enthusiasts. One of the world’s most popular sports cars is the Mazda Miata 1990, so it’s no wonder that nowadays it remains to be a very popular platform for people looking for a great introduction to sports cars.
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