The Mazda MX-5 Miata came to life in the late 1980s and made its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show->ke225. Conceived as a small, lightweight roadster with minimal mechanical complexity, the Miata is often regarded as an evolution of classic British roadsters such as the Lotus Elan, the Triumph Spitfire or the MG MGB. Not surprising, it didn't take long for the MX-5 to become the best-selling roadster->ke1418 in the world. The first-gen MX-5 was produced for no less than ten years, being replaced by a redesigned version in 1999. The second-gen model lasted for seven years before the current, NC-generation arrived. It's been five years since the third-gen Miata debuted, and Mazda->ke53 is about to launch a brand-new model on September 3rd. Just as the new roadster is getting ready to lose its veils, rumors about a coupe version of the Miata have started to emerge.

The idea is not exactly new, as customers have been demanding a coupe->ke141 ever since the first-gen model became popular, but Mazda has yet to sacrifice the Miata's long-standing heritage just to make a few buyers happy. That could change in less than two years, according to Auto News, who claims the Japanese have a fastback-like coupe in the pipeline.

Updated 09/05/2014: Now that we have seen the official pictures on the new generation MX-5 it was time to create a new rendering for the future coupe version, rumored to arrive one year after the roadster. Check it out after the jump.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mazda MX-5 Coupe.

2017 Mazda MX-5 Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Mazda MX-5 Coupe
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Rendering

If this rumor proves to be true, the MX-5 Coupe shouldn't stray too far from its roadster sibling. Design-wise, the vehicles should be identical save for a BMW Z4-like roof and a revised trunk lid. We created our rendering using our interpretation of the fourth-generation MX-5, which brings together brand-new styling cues and some of Mazda's current Kodo design language.

Competitors

Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S

The launch of an MX-5 Miata coupe will enable Mazda to compete against Toyobaru's sports triplets - the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S in the United States, and the Toyota GT 86 in Europe. All three vehicles are powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque and uses either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic to motivated the rear wheels.

The Subaru BRZ can charge from 0 to 60 mph in as quick as 6.7 seconds with a manual gearbox, while on its way to a top speed of 143 mph. Granted, the BRZ is not the fastest sports car on the market, but with a price tag starting from only $26,490 including delivery there's not much to complain about. As for the Scion FR-S, the manual version retails from $24,900, while the automatic fetches at least $26,000.