We've got info on the Miata reveal.

Not crazy on the grill/mouth. Otherwise it is pretty stellar, like an NB, S2000, and an Alfa had a 3 way.

The screen / knob setup looks like the Connect system as used in the Mazda3 as an option. I imagine it'll be optional here as well; save your money, skip the screen.

GameboyRMH wrote: I'm betting it does retract into the dash based on the opening around where the screen sits, I bet it folds flat and then retracts forward. There's no way it doesn't block some visibility towards the passenger-front corner of the car when it's up like that.

Even if it did, I would not like it. That tells me that it wasn't actually integrated, but put on late.

And I do like the screens in principle- I got MFT on my Fiesta, and it's pretty cool- better if it did all things I expected it to.

When they move, or stick up like that, it comes across as an afterthought.

One more thing- while it may retract when it's off, it's NOT retracted when the car is on and moving, which is when I'm in the car. I honestly don't care about what the interior looks like when I'm not in the car. It matters when I am.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I doubt the screen will go down. They are become more and more popular. It's a styling trend. People like tablets and iPads, so manufacturers are mimicking them in their cars.

Exactly. I bet it's fixed, our Project M235i's screen is just like that, and honestly I love it. I don't have to stare down at the console, instead all the info is right there just below the cowl in the driver's view. It makes it easier.

The more I look, while I still mainly see Jag F type, I'm definitely seeing more Alfa in the front fender area and round the back. I also love the way the front fender line is above the hood giving the classic sports car tunnel from the driver’s seat. Autoblog have the best pics, but I don’t seem to be able to hotlink those. Any idea how to??

Looks good...I like it. Put me in the camp that wants a coupe though. We traded our Solstice GXP vert for a coupe the moment we could get our hands on one. For me the coupe with the built in targa is the perfect compromise.

Not what I expected, but I think I like it. Just a bit squinty, kind of like the FRS/BRZ headlights. Very curious for specs, as these cars to me are always just a little too slow. If this is really a 180hp 2.0L in a substantially lighter car, it will finally have the right amount of scoot in stock form. In the meantime, I'm going AP2 S2000 shopping for my droptop DD needs.

mndsm wrote: [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mndsm/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/IMG_20140903_184228_zpstuqsjrju.jpg.html][/URL] I shouldn't have colored it. I regret that decision, but the drugs, they are strong. Word to the wise, Target washable markers do not cover like Copics.

Congrats! We have a winner!

Screen does NOT go down.

It's not plain in person. There's some really nice sculpting to the sides, and it's a fairly small car so you don't have big expanses of sheet metal that need a lot of decoration.

Headlights are LED and very bright - the car that drove out on stage was aimed right at me, and holy cow.

I spent a lot of time talking to the chassis engineer yesterday. I am filled with hope. It will not repeat the sins of the early NC.

The "100 kg less than the current car" line was repeated again last night. Good target.

Mad_Ratel wrote: Man oh man does that look good. I have a similar problem to others. I dont stinking fit in a NA or NB. at 6ft4in there is no decent choice for roadster. Mother has a 2006 NC. I fit ok in it. (door cupholders kill my knees). It's a blast to drive though. (does need more torque...) Very interested to see just how big this car is. KT could you tell if it's NC or NB sized?

I'm going to see if I can get a tape measure on it this weekend. It's wider than an NC and may be lower. Based on wheel size, I think it's shorter.

Any idea which car will get the 2.0 vs the 1.5, and if the 1.5 will be turbo or not?

I'd hope that the 1.5 would be the base motor but not be turbo. 40mpg hopes.

Keith Tanner wrote: Screen does NOT go down.

Does it rip off? It's ugly and I don't want it there. What does it do that other switches and knobs don't do already?

tuna55 wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Screen does NOT go down.

Does it rip off? It's ugly and I don't want it there. What does it do that other switches and knobs don't do already?

We're in the era of mandatory back up cameras. I would expect Mazda to consider the screen permanent.

Tom Suddard wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I doubt the screen will go down. They are become more and more popular. It's a styling trend. People like tablets and iPads, so manufacturers are mimicking them in their cars.

Exactly. I bet it's fixed, our Project M235i's screen is just like that, and honestly I love it. I don't have to stare down at the console, instead all the info is right there just below the cowl in the driver's view. It makes it easier.

My problem is that how it's situated, it looks like it does not belong there. Someone said they need a flat screen, and all they could do is plop it on the top of the dash, all by itself.

If the dash blended around it, or something like that- it would look more like it belonged.

As it sits, it's more like someone got a dash holder for a tablet, and just stuck it there.

Bearing in mind that I see the whole philosophy of the car as driver-car fully integrated, so that all of the interactions between the driver and car should be fully integrated.

Keith Tanner wrote:

Mad_Ratel wrote: Man oh man does that look good. I have a similar problem to others. I dont stinking fit in a NA or NB. at 6ft4in there is no decent choice for roadster. Mother has a 2006 NC. I fit ok in it. (door cupholders kill my knees). It's a blast to drive though. (does need more torque...) Very interested to see just how big this car is. KT could you tell if it's NC or NB sized?

I'm going to see if I can get a tape measure on it this weekend. It's wider than an NC and may be lower. Based on wheel size, I think it's shorter.

Per Autocar The new car is also 105mm shorter in overall length than the outgoing version, though its wheelbase has only shrunk by 15mm. It is also 20mm lower, but 10mm wider.

So that's just over 4" shorter, about 1/2" shorter wheelbase so overall less overhang.

mazdeuce wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Screen does NOT go down.

Does it rip off? It's ugly and I don't want it there. What does it do that other switches and knobs don't do already?

We're in the era of mandatory back up cameras. I would expect Mazda to consider the screen permanent.

You can put the back up display in the rear view mirror. I've seen a lot of that, and it looks quite good.

The screen is the same with the new Mazda3. It doesn't move.

Yep, it is a Miata. Nice looking except for that awful maw in the front.

I still love it, but the more I view it from the front, the more I see the Cougar.

I guess its because I live in a place with great weather 95 percent of the time, but to me convertibles are a novelty. I like having one around, but want a hardtop for day-to-day. If Mazda wants to see my smiling face in a showroom, a shooting brake like the one below will do the trick - even more so if it's got the Mazdaspeed turbo in it.

racerdave600 wrote: I still love it, but the more I view it from the front, the more I see the Cougar.

Dude, I like the Cougar, but seriously put down the beer goggles and sober up!

I'm withholding judgement, some pictures look good, others make it look like complete E36 M3.

kreb wrote:

4cylndrfury wrote:

kreb wrote:

That perfectly sums up my reaction too. That rendering is incredible!!

Something about it bothers me....oh, right. The fact we can't buy it.