The Chicago Auto Show 
may not be one of the major venues for debuts, but the 2015 show certainly is shaping up to be pretty exciting. Set to debut in the Windy City is the 2016 Acura RDX, the revised 2016 Equinox and this MX-5 Accessories Design Concept. No, this isn’t some wild and crazy concept with a zillion horsepower and a billion pound-feet of torque. Instead, this concept highlights some of the accessories that Mazda may offer for the 2016 MX-5.
To go along with the announcement of the concept’s debut, Mazda reveled a teaser image that shows off just the backside of the Chicago-bound roadster. The details are pretty scarce as of February 10, 2015, but I was able to carefully examine the teaser image and pick out a few goodies here and there.
Make sure to check back on February 12th for the full details.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Accessories Design Concept.
Exterior
There’s not much to see on the teaser image that Mazda released of the 2016 MX-5 Concept, but there are a few new things to address. The most obvious addition is the small, black spoiler on the trunk lid. Also visible, but not obvious, is a new lower insert on the bumper, and white reflectors on the outer edges of the rear bumper replace the standard red ones. Those black, twin-spoke wheels also look new to me.
Some items not shown in the image, but that I think we may see on the concept, include a new chin spoiler, some side-view mirror caps, a reworked front grille, and maybe a lighter hood.
Interior
I believe the interior is where the majority of the custom bits will live. I expect to see loads of seating options, including some grippy racing seats; plenty of audio options, an accent package to add a little color to the cabin, upgraded pedals, and maybe a racing steering wheel.
The one I am looking forward to the most is the accent package, as the one thing I don’t like about the new Miata is its lack of color in the cabin. The only accents on the standard model are in the stitching and on the top of the door panels. It begs for a little more color.
Drivetrain
The funny thing is that it is the Chicago Auto Show’s Website reportedly leaked that the MX-5’s 2.0-liter engine had 155 horses. Mazda was quick to respond by saying it had no idea where CAS got that number from, and then it magically disappeared from the show’s site. I wonder if that was just someone who didn’t know cars basing that number on the output of the Mazda3’s 2.0-liter, or if was an actual leak and now Mazda is just trying to cram the toothpaste back into the tube.
Regardless, no one outside of Mazda knows how much horsepower the U.S-spec Miata will have, but we do know that it’ll carry a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine that is tuned specifically for the Miata. I am hoping to see at least 170 horsepower, but I am expecting to see no more than 160. Fortunately though, the 2016 Miata has dropped about 200 pounds when compared to the 2015 model.
Competition
Mercedes-Benz SLK250
Competition for the Miata is pretty much nil, as to get into another two-seat roadster of this quality requires venturing into premium brands. Enter in the SLK250, a $43,950 roadster with a huge horsepower advantage, at 201. This 1.8-liter turbo engine gets the small luxury roadster to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which is right about where most experts expect the MX-5 to fall.
In terms of luxury, the SLK is in a completely different segment than the Mazda, but at least it has just a pair of seats and “unlimited” headroom.
Gallery Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Mini Cooper Roadster
Another stretch as a competitor is the Mini Roadster. Like the SLK, it hits the roadster qualification squarely, but unlike the SLK it also has a base price nearer the MX-5. However, the disqualifier is the fact that the Mini is front-wheel drive instead being rear-driven, but it’s about as close as we’re going to get to a fair fight.
Under the hood, the Mini Cooper Roadster has a trio of engine options, starting with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that lays down 121 horses and 118 pound-feet of twist. The base model is not exhilarating to drive, thanks to a nearly nine-second 0-to-60 time. Moving into the S trim turns the wick way up to 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. This drops the sprint time down to 6.7 seconds. One step up is the John Cooper Works model, which gets the same turbo 1.6-liter, but with the power cranked to 208 horses and 192 pound-feet. This added power gets the little hatch to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
The base Cooper Roadster is in the range of the Miata at $26,100, but the $29,100 Cooper S Roadster and the $35,350 John Cooper Works Roadster are a little high to run with the Mazda.
Gallery Mini Roadster
Conclusion
I am still trying to get used to the shocking new look of the MX-5 Miata, but it is slowly growing on me. It was time for Mazda to go a little more extreme with the styling of its typically subdued roadster, but this is a complete 180-degree shift. Maybe with the added accessories on this concept I will finally come to terms with the new look. We’ll find out when it debuts at the Chicago Auto Show.
Press Release
Announced in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show, the first-generation MX-5 Miata drove onto the world stage with the promise of reviving the roadster: a fun-to-drive, lightweight, open-roof sports car for those who loved cars and loved to drive. With more than 949,000 MX-5s sold over the last 26 years, and scoring hundreds of awards around the world, it is safe to say that Mazda’s goal of creating a vehicle tailored for pure driving pleasure has been a success.
This year at the Chicago Auto Show, Mazda will reveal a 2016 MX-5 accessories design concept of the company’s iconic roadster, which will preview what may be in store for those looking to personalize their cars. Also being shown for the first time will be MX-5 merchandise design concepts from Mazda’s upcoming Heritage Collection — three apparel collections inspired by key themes of Mazda’s past, present and future.
Mazda will be located at booth #SH10 at the Chicago Auto Show taking place inside the McCormick Place convention center. In addition to unveiling the 2016 MX-5 accessories concept and Heritage Collection apparel concepts, Mazda will be hosting a number of activities throughout the show. Attendees will be treated to live ESPN Radio broadcasts with “Carmen and Jurko” and “Waddle and Silvy”; free autograph signings with NHL legend Jeremy Roenick, former Chicago Bulls star Stacey King and former “Rookie of the Year” and All-Star Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood; and ride and drives in the latest Mazda vehicles will be held outside of the convention center. The ESPN 1000 live radio broadcasts and autograph signings will occur during the following days and times, which are subject to change:
Saturday, February 14 from 12 – 1:30 p.m. CT: Jeremy Roenick, former Chicago Blackhawk, autograph signing
Sunday, February 15 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT: Stacey King, former Chicago Bulls center, autograph signing
Monday, February 16, Wednesday, February 18 and Friday, February 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT: Live broadcast with ESPN Chicago “Carmen and Jurko”
Tuesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 19 from 2 – 6 p.m. CT: Live broadcast with ESPN Chicago “Waddle and Silvy”
Saturday, February 21 from 12 – 2 p.m. CT: Kerry Wood, former Chicago Cubs pitcher, autograph signing
Mazda’s ride and drive is open to consumers on Saturday, February 14 through Sunday, February 22 starting from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT (Saturday, February 14 ends at 5 p.m. CT). The ride and drive starts outside of the North Hall adjacent to Gate 21 in the bus and taxi loading area. Consumers can register at the Mazda Booth or at the Mazda stand in the lobby of the auto show. Available vehicles will include the 2015 Mazda3 and Mazda CX-9 along with the refreshed 2016 Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5.
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.