New Document Suggests 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Will Have 181-HP

Earlier this year, Road and Track found a VIN filing which suggested the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata could receive a significant power boost.

The magazine has discovered further evidence of this as a Canadian dealership reportedly revealed specifications for the car and they eventually made it to the Miata.net forums.

While the attachment has apparently been removed, it reportedly confirmed the 2019 Miata will have an upgraded 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an “increased rev capacity.”

In order to achieve this, the engine has apparently been equipped with lightweight pistons, a new crankshaft and an improved intake. Other changes are slated to include lighter connecting rods, a new throttle body and a freer flowing exhaust.

A notable boost in output

Thanks to all of these modifications, the engine will reportedly produce 181 hp (135 kW) and 151 lb-feet (204 Nm) of torque. If these numbers are correct, the 2019 Miata will have 26 hp (19 kW) and 3 lb-ft (4 Nm) more than its predecessor. The model would also have more horsepower than the turbocharged Fiat 124 Spider but less torque.

To cope with the additional power, engineers have reportedly fitted the car with a dual-mass flywheel. The document suggested it was installed to reduce noise, vibration and harshness issues which were created as a result of the upgraded engine.

New safety tech coming too?

Besides the performance modifications, the Miata is slated to have a Smart City Braking System. It users a laser sensor to scan the road for obstacles and will automatically prepare the braking system if a potential collision is detected. If the driver fails to respond, the system automatically applies the brakes.

Other changes are rumored to include a telescoping steering wheel and a rearview camera. The CD player is also slated to be eliminated in what can only been seen as a sign of the times.

The Canadian Miata will also see the base model dropped and replaced by a better equipped GS variant. However, it remains unclear if the US-spec model will see any trim level adjustments.