The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata is getting some needed updates, and a big part of those updates include a 26-horsepower increase that will give the popular roadster 181 horsepower to play with. The months-long rumor about the MX-5’s power bump has been confirmed, among other interesting bits about the updated version of one of the world’s most popular sports cars.

So the rumors are true. The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata is getting an appreciable bump in power. The confirmation of this rumor comes by way of Japan’s Car Watch, which had the opportunity to drive a test mule of the updated roadster. Well, it didn’t just drive the car; it also published a number of interesting details about the upcoming MX-5, including its updated power figures.

According to the report, the 2019 Miata will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. That’s a significant improvement from the current output of 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Torque numbers also grow, but not by much. Whereas it sits at 148 pound-feet of torque in the incumbent model, the 2019 model will have 151 pound-feet of torque at its disposal.

The increased output was achieved through significant changes made to the powertrain, including the addition of new pistons that are now reportedly 27 grams lighter and new connecting rods that weigh 41 grams less than the parts they’re replacing. Mazda also installed a larger diameter throttle body, larger exhaust valves, and wider exhaust piping, all of which contributed to the car’s redline also increasing from 6,800 rpm to 7,500 rpm. The higher redline should give the 2019 MX-5 Miata more power to maximize its increased output. On top of that, all these updates should also reflect improvements in thermal efficiency and lower emissions.

Moving outside of the engine, the 2019 MX-5 also gets a number of improvements, including softer suspension bushings in the rear, which were installed to help improve the car’s steering feel. Speaking of steering, the MX-5 also gets a telescoping steering wheel for the first time in its long and prosperous history. The wheel itself comes with 1.2 inches of adjustment to go with a tilt function that allows the wheel to be moved by as much as 1.7 inches. For the materials side, the 2019 MX-5 will be in line to receive a good amount of premium aesthetic goodies. A caramel brown top will be made available, as will a full tan leather interior, and bright finishes for the wheels.

As you might expect, all these changes help give the 2019 MX-5 Miata the refreshed package it needs to remain a serious challenger in its market. Not that it needs all of them, but if we’re talking about power increases amounting to 27 horsepower on a car like the MX-5 Roadster, that’s an update that everyone’s going to get excited about.

References

Mazda MX-5

Read our full review on the 2016 Mazda MX-5.

Read our full review on the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF.

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