The Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the most affordable
roadsters on the market but it has always favored nimble handling over big
performance numbers. The model currently has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
which develops 155 hp and 200 Nm of torque. While that’s
not bad considering the car weighs around 1,057 kg, it’s less
powerful than the Fiat 124 Spider which has a turbocharged 1.4-liter
four-cylinder developing 160 hp and 249 Nm of torque.
Help could be on the way as Road and Track has
unearthed a VIN filing which suggests the 2019 MX-5 could receive a major power
boost. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, the model will have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 181
hp. If that figure pans out, it would be an increase of 26 hp and a jump of nearly 17 percent.
It remains unclear how Mazda will achieve this boost
in performance but the publication notes the documents don’t mention a
turbocharger or supercharger. Mazda has also said the MX-5 won’t receive the
new SkyActiv-X engine so it is possible engineers have made significant changes
to the current SkyActiv-G unit.
Nothing is official but the magazine says common
aftermarket upgrades – including a new intake, exhaust and ECU – only add
around 12 hp. However, companies such as BBR have tuned the engine to
produce up to 225 hp.
Mazda declined to comment on the VIN filing but the
current MX-5 is reaching middle age as the car was introduced in September of
2014. As a result, we can expect to see a facelift relatively soon and this
would be the perfect time to introduce an upgraded engine.
