Some of this is not new news, BUT, some Media (late last year) have not shown all of the new Mazda Skyactiv images of Mazda "new direction" in production and all new engines and chassis and suspension and body construction.

Not a lot of Engineering Info around (some), I can list later.

Note: The Electric Power Steering Module and electric motor located around bulkhead area or even under dashboard and directly connection to steering column shaft..

Note: Mazda award winning "Multi Link" Rear Suspension is no longer used.

Note: New front Suspension and Main Frame appears to be more integrated, I wonder how this will perform from an engine vibration perspective. No upper/lower A arms, just a single lower control arm set up, which is "similar" to what Mazda used back in the early 1980's.

IMO: Both the front and rear suspension set ups look cheaper to produce and assemble, I just HOPE Mazda have not lost their GREAT handling characteristics which has been showcased on all their models over that past decade.

Is this a step in the right direction???..

I am concerned.

 

More Pics..

 

Hmm a new take on the front wheel drive Inline 4 is what I see. Although its just one of many projects they are doing you know? They are working on developments in diesel and rotary engines as well. Like the new 1.6L turbo for the RX9.

My main concern is that mazda doesn't leave a lot of room for easy suspension or steering adjustments. Like in the 8 I am looking at a 1.8 for the steering ratio or possible something like 2.2. but nothing higher than that. Right now its at 3.0 and I hate it.

 

Nice topic, Ash i've made the same considerations, i'm concerned too.
But if you watch carefully the frame of the car ( painted in red) for me there is "room" and a kind of attachment point (see carefully) for an "A ARM" solution...

i'm hoping that Mazda technicians have exposed the "basis version" of their suspension system , but is also true that except for the Mazda 6 , Mx-5 an Rx-8 ALL MAzda car have simply McPherson (or strut) front suspension....

this chassis is only for FWD or AWD base, so maybe just Mazda6/Atenza it will be donwgraded in future gen.

No problem for MX- or RX (different base)

But i agree that a similar front suspension is a big downgrade for the 6 and the aims for the entire brand.....

 

Multi-link cost a lot more to make & most of the idiots will not be able to tell the difference. Hell they don't even know wtf McPherson is, if u ask them they probably respond to you by "what? Is that a person's name?"

RX8 is already "downgrade" from FD3S (in terms of suspension setup)

Its still kinda early to tell what Mazda gonna do. but as long as they don't "mess" with the next Rotary car. I don't give a crap :P

 

FD and RX8 are different cars, 100% sports car the FD , 4 adult sports (more GT oriented) the 8.street price (here in EU) is was a lot different

the real victim of the new suspension setup is MX5 NC, a lot less fun-to-drive than the NA/NB.

there are articles about "headaces" of Mazda Engineers to build NC and mantein the flavour using this base.

 

NO, you or We do not know that yet.

There has been no hint at what the set up will be for the ND MX-5 or any possible RX.

Frankly, I don't like this set up it looks cheap and nasty, surely they would not put this in an MX-5!..

Edit..
It looks like a NISSAN FWD set up!!!!...

 

I have been following the development of the NC (current) MX-5 from all over the world and have not read ANY complaints about the REAR Set up...I would like to read some links Matt.

The power to weight of the NC (2.0) is far superior to ANY MX-5 previously...so...?

And Jackson..
"power to weight" is also something the 'fools' have NO IDEA about, for BJeez sakes you never even READ a so called Motoring Journalist's talk about it.

So lets put a high output (HP or KW) engine in a 4500 lb TANK and see how it goes..

ALL you guys in the US are concerned about is Dyno's and HP numbers...It REALLY amazes me.

Then add all this EXTRA crap on your cars, (MORE WEIGHT), put your buddies in the car and then complain about performance!...lose the Crap, lose your buddies, and Lose some ******* weight!...

 

weight stripping FTW^

Sometimes it makes things weaker. Ive had a lot of parts break from switching to much lighter racing parts. Thats the compromise you make I guess though. A ton of unnecessary weight comes from audio systems. The difference in weight from a stock RX8 seat to the simpson racing seats is amazing. But to lighten a car would cost you thousands of dollars, then your going to add weight back in for safety equipment.

 

i mean exactly this, RX/MX have nothing to do with this chassis so ....

the problems are for the next 6/atenza IMHO , but i still hope in a different front end.

my complains about NC is for OVERALL weight, not for power/weight ratio......ND lighter with a similar P/W like NC will be better.....


EDIT: here's the link....

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257582007A7CB2

cited:

GoAuto has learned that, when development of the existing NC-series MX-5 commenced in 2002, Mazda was constrained by its previous overlords Ford to keep costs down by using the heavy RX-8 hardware, and this created many headaches for the engineers.

“This mistake will not be repeated,” our source promised.

 

Everything comes down to the level of engineering. This simple suspension set-up may be just as effective as ours if properly developed
Let's wait and see!

 

I know about the power to weight thing. Rx-8 is a pig if you compare it to the FD. but Mazda has no choice, with all the gay emission and more and more *safety* standards ... if u don't add them no one will even buy the car

if I want a dyno queen, I will not bother with a 8 in the first place

 

I'm surprised more manufacturers are not trying to emulate Lotus more. Lightweight, decent fuel economy, and goes like hell. That's what I'd like to see for the next rotary. I don't need heated seats, power everything, and moonroof.

 

Mazda offered a GS but not in the US I guess. It is substantially lighter than the GT.

There is a reason why I am using FD components for my awesome ado16 project, because it is the best mazda has made.

This setup looks very cheap. Hopefully not for the next sports car.

 

diff brand.

ppl will spend 50K on a lotus that has almost nothing other than basic stuff.

even Mazda can build a car that's like Lotus but no one will buy it even @ 1/2 the price.

Its all about the brand image thing.

People will call Lotus car "this is an art", while they will call Mazda's version "oh, this is completely crap"