The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

All-New 1999 Mazda Miata Poised to Capture the Hearts of American Drivers ... Again

29 December 1997

All-New 1999 Mazda Miata Poised to Capture the Hearts of American Drivers ... Again

     Popular Roadster Makes North American Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show

    LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29 -- The latest iteration of the world's
best-selling sports car made its North American debut today as executives from
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) unveiled the all-new 1999 Mazda Miata
roadster at the 1998 Los Angeles Auto Show.  The new Miata, which features a
more powerful engine, dramatically restyled body, redesigned interior and
improved handling, goes on sale in Mazda dealerships early in 1998.
    "California is well known for its `fun-in-the-sun' lifestyle," said
Richard Beattie, president and CEO of MNAO, "and perhaps no convertible in the
world symbolizes that lifestyle better than the Mazda Miata.  The all-new
version of the Miata we're introducing today was designed at our R&D center in
Irvine, California, as was the original.  In fact, California accounts for
more Mazda Miata sales than any other state and several countries where the
car is sold."
    Members of the Miata Club of America from around the state of California
took part in the unveiling of the new Mazda Miata.  The Miata Club is the
single largest single marque car club in the country, with 30,000 members
nationwide.  "We at Mazda are fortunate to have such loyal, dedicated and
enthusiastic owners as our friends in the Miata Club," noted Beattie.
    The new 1999 Mazda Miata features a more powerful 140-horsepower 1.8-liter
DOHC four-cylinder engine, improved four-wheel double-wishbone suspension,
more aggressively styled body and a redesigned interior.  The body of the new
Miata is more rigid for improved handling, yet it weighs the same as its
predecessor.  The easy-to-use folding top is even easier to operate and now
uses a glass rear window with built-in defroster, a feature not found on
several convertibles costing much more.
    The new Mazda Miata may not be on sale yet, but the editors of Car and
Driver magazine already are hailing it as one of the "l0 Best Cars" in the
publication's January l998 issue.  This is nothing new for the Miata -- the
original car won several awards and accolades before it went on sale as well.
    Since its introduction in 1989, Mazda has sold more than 450,000 Miatas
worldwide, with more than half of that total coming in North America.  The
Miata is the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world.  In addition, the
Mazda Miata is a champion on the track, earning several SCCA class
championships.

SOURCE  Mazda Information Bureau