As the redesigned, 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is being prepared for its unveiling on September 3rd, the rumormill is brimming with unofficial information ranging from the massive design changes to the displacement of the SkyActive engine under the hood. More recently though, yet another rumor emerged, this time claiming the fourth-generation MX-5 Miata will spawn a coupe->ke141. That's the word coming from Automotive News, who does not list a source, which is why we advise you take this report with a massive grain of salt.

The Miata coupe is supposedly scheduled to arrive "roughly a year" after the soft-top goes on sale. If this report proves to be accurate, the coupe will go on sale in mid-2016 following a late 2015 launch. The report goes on to say that the Miata coupe will be more than just a similarly shaped, hard-top MX-5. According to Auto News, Mazda->ke53 is working on a unique, fastback-style body. My best guess is Mazda could adopt the same styling solution seen on the BMW Z4 Coupe. If the Japanese will indeed build such a thing, that is.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Why it Matters

It's true that customers have been demanding a proper coupe version of the Miata, but it doesn't necessarily mean Mazda will build one. The current Miata is available with either a soft-top or a retractable hard-top, and we expect the ND-generation sports car to remain true to its roots and arrive in a similar configuration. Sure, a Miata coupe could fill the gap left by the discontinuation of the RX-8->ke341, but is Mazda willing to sacrifice the Miata's long-standing heritage for the sake of profits? Unlikely...

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The fourh-generation MX-5 Miata will mark the roadster's return to its roots in terms of size, with weight to drop in comparison to the current NC Miata. Power is likely to come from a 2.0-liter, SkyActiv, four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Mazda promised an all-new design language for the 2016 Miata, but it's unlikely that the Japanese will stray completely from the basic looks of the MX-5 and the automaker's current Kodo styling.