NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: 2015 Mazda MX-5 strips off

Mazda has previewed its next-generation MX-5 at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, showing the car's newly developed rear-wheel drive, longitudinal-engined SKYACTIV platform –underpinnings that it's claimed will support the fastest, most agile and efficient Mazda roadster yet.

The Big Apple reveal of the new chassis is also Mazda's way of stamping its name on the new architecture, which it will share with the Fiat group. Initially expected to wear the Alfa Romeo badge, the latin MX-5 offshoot is now tipped to be an Abarth.

Although most details on the new MX-5 are being kept under lock and key until later in the year when the car proper is revealed, Mazda says the new MX-5 hit the road at less than 1000kg.

Depending on exact spec and model, that's up to a 100kg saving.

The rear-drive drop-top sports car is also expected to be smaller than the current NC model -- a hint that could translate to a length under four metres from bumper to bumper

This reduction in size and mass, coupled with better power and torque thanks to the company's first longitudinal SKYACTIV engine, means the 2015 MX-5 should be the sharpest and fastest ex-factory MX-5 yet.

The new SKYACTIV chassis revealed at New York features a trestle-style alloy backbone which couples the engine and gearbox with the final drive unit. In some respects this is reminiscent of the torque tube set-up used in classic racing cars and more current sportscars such as GM's Corvette and AMG's SLS Gullwing. It should be noted, however, unlike the latter two examples, the next generation MX-5 does not use a transaxle.

Front and rear suspensions are fully independent and in the image supplied appear to feature a large percentage of cast aluminium components for reduced unsprung weight. Brake disc diameters are relatively modest and electric power-assisted steering is used.

Mazda will keep the front mid-ship engine position for the new car but plans to push the engine even closer to the centre of the car. This will improve its centre of gravity.

"In terms of shared architecture, this is something Fiat, Alfa, Abarth -- whatever name's going to be on their car -- will use, and we wanted to get the message out there that this is Mazda's technology. This is SKYACTIV technology, built in Japan," Steve Maciver, Mazda Australia's Senior Manager Public Relations, told motoring.com.au.

"It's our engineers and program managers that have worked on this car. And it's the same chassis that the Fiat [Group] car will come with in future," stated Maciver.

"The position of the engine is lower and further to the centre of the car, honing in on that low centre of gravity," explained Maciver.

In order to ensure drivers feel "at one" with the car the company is still fine-tuning the optimum seating position of the driver, Maciver said.

What won't be unique is the new car's engine.

"We're not planning on developing engines dedicated to MX-5, but it's too early to go into exact capacities and what engines are on offer," said Maciver

At least at base-level, the new MX-5 is tipped to use a tuned version of the new 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol engine developed for the next-generation Mazda2 which will go on sale in Australia in September (2014).

A tweaked version of the Mazda3's 2.0-litre SKYACTIV naturally-aspirated petrol engine offering more than 130kW – well up on the current car's 118kW -- is likely to power Australian MX-5s.

"We've got a family of engines now coming through with SKYACTIV technology that will span different capacities and we're looking at what's suitable for that car now," said Maciver.

"If you look at what we've done with the SKYACTIV 2.0-litre engine, you compare that with the previous 2.0-litre MZR, and there have been advances in power and torque while improving fuel efficiency... We'd anticipate that those advances will come through in MX-5 as well."

Although Mazda only builds the current NC model as a hard-top, the next-generation MX-5 will launch as a soft-top. Indeed, some sources suggest no hardtop version is in the cycle-plan for the new-generation car.

"Hard-top is where the [current] car has gone in its later life of this generation, but we believe that a soft-top in terms of a lightweight sports car and the quintessential MX-5 [is crucial]," added Maciver.

Both auto and manual models are expected to be offered when the car arrives in Australia in 2015, but Maciver wouldn't be drawn on precise local timing.

"When we launch the new car volumes will grow quite significantly from where they are now, and around one third of buyers will look for an auto. [But] It's too early to discuss timing at this stage," he said.

"We're excited about getting the new MX-5 and it's a really important car for us.

"It's a brand icon, it's a halo for us, and we anticipate a fair bit of demand for this car," Maciver.

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