Another four-door muscle automotive instance is the Ford Taurus SHO. This mannequin was launched in 1989 and featured a Yamaha-designed Ford SHO V6 engine — with SHO that means Super High Output. Although essentially the most iconic fashions had been from 1992 to 1995, they weren’t precisely essentially the most highly effective fashions made within the ’90s.
This award goes to the third-generation Ford Taurus SHO, which was produced from 1996 to 1999. Although it did not have a pointy look, it was essentially the most highly effective mannequin but. It was additionally the one one to function a V8 engine however misplaced the guide transmission possibility. So, when you wished one, you needed to stick with the four-speed AX4N automated transmission.
Nevertheless, the 1999 Ford Taurus SHO’s 3.4-liter SHO V8 engine may output 235 hp at 6,100 rpm and 230 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. Automobile Catalog recorded its zero to 60 mph efficiency in 7.3 seconds and accomplished a quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds at 91 mph.
Although the muscle automotive not existed in its purest type within the Nineteen Nineties, a number of American automobiles from that period may ship the exhilarating straight-line efficiency muscle automobiles are recognized for, however this time, with extra consolation, security, practicality, and value.
The unique BMW 8 Series graced the automotive stage in 1989, showcasing cutting-edge design and groundbreaking options. Despite its outstanding attributes, nonetheless, the grand tourer confronted challenges available in the market and didn’t obtain the eye it deserved.
Welcome to Timeless European Treasures, our weekly look again at vehicles from the European market that outlined a motoring technology.
Why Do We Love It?
The BMW 8 Series earned admiration for its substantial efficiency enhancements over the unique 6 Series. With a drag coefficient of simply Cd=0.29 (versus 0.39 for the 6 Series), a V12 engine paired with a six-speed guide transmission, and pioneering digital drive-by-wire throttle know-how, it set new requirements within the phase. The unibody design, lighter than its predecessor due to CAD modeling, contributed to a singular driving expertise. Enthusiasts recognize its luxurious options and groundbreaking engineering that signaled a brand new period for BMW.
The BMW 6 Series, which was in production from 1976 to 1989, was known for its sleek and elegant design as a grand touring coupe. Carlex Design, a tuner from Poland, has undertaken the task of enhancing the interior of this classic BMW to create a more luxurious cabin than what was originally available from the factory. They are planning to create seven of these custom cars.
The first completed example is a 1986 635 CSi with a sleek black exterior and a set of multi-spoke wheels. Carlex has chosen to maintain the classic coupe’s sharp exterior styling and has only added their own badges and emblems to the outside.
In an effort to introduce European vehicles as premium options in the United States, Ford launched the Merkur brand from 1985 to 1989. One of the standout models was the XR4Ti, a sports coupe based on the Sierra from Europe. This amazing restomod from JH Restorations reimagines how a modern version of the XR4Ti could look.
Jesse Henke, the owner of JH Restorations, has been familiar with this particular XR4Ti since high school. It originally belonged to a friend, and they used to work on cars together. After changing hands a few times, Henke eventually acquired the car and spent over three years building this stunning restomod, which recently made its debut at the SEMA Show.
The project started with the plan to replace the original turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder crate engine. However, the new powerplant was taller than the original, so the team had to add a large bulge in the hood to accommodate it. The exterior was also modified to match the more aggressive look.
JH Restorations meticulously scanned the entire car and created a custom body kit for the XR4Ti. The kit includes a front chin spoiler that protrudes below the nose and widened fenders that make the car 4.0 inches wider. At the rear, there’s a tall wing with a center-mounted support, reminiscent of the European-market Sierra RS Cosworth. The car is finished in Ford’s Area 51 blue color.
In terms of performance, the tuned EcoBoost four-cylinder engine produces around 475 to 500 horsepower, a significant improvement over the original engine’s 175 horsepower. The suspension comes from the SN95 Mustang from the 1990s, as there is much more aftermarket support available for that platform compared to the Merkur.
If you’re impressed by the exterior, you’ll be even more delighted with the interior. JH Restorations found a bolt of blue Recaro fabric from the 1980s and used it to upholster the center sections of the seats and door panels, adding a touch of retro charm. The Blaupunkt stereo appears period-correct but is actually a modern unit with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB plug. The custom gauge cluster, courtesy of Dakota Digital, fits into the original instrument panel’s spot, while the dashboard receives a light blue leather wrap to match the rest of the cabin.
One downside of this build is that JH Restorations finished the car just before SEMA, so they haven’t had the opportunity to take the Merkur on the road yet. We’re eagerly waiting for a video of the XR4Ti in action.
Lexus was established in 1989 and quickly made its mark on the premium automotive industry by offering a flagship sedan along with an exceptional guest experience. In 1998, Lexus introduced the world to the luxury crossover category with the launch of the Lexus RX. As a leader in luxury hybrid vehicles, Lexus has sold over 2.69 million hybrid vehicles, including HEVs, PHEVs, and BEVs (as of September 2023).
As a globally recognized luxury automotive brand, Lexus is dedicated to bold and uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmaship, and exhilarating performance. The brand has expanded its lineup to cater to the needs of the next generation of luxury consumers and is available in over 90 countries/regions worldwide.
Lexus associates and team members worldwide are committed to creating extraordinary experiences that are uniquely Lexus, with the aim of exciting and transforming the world of mobility.
The introduction of the Mazda MX-5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989 changed the automotive world for the better. The MX-5 proved that cheap, low-powered, and light cars could be as sporty as their expensive, high-powered, heavy equivalents. Suddenly, the average Joe could afford a car that served as a daily driver and as a sporty car for weekend fun.
Several critics probably dismissed the Miata after learning it had an engine that made just 116 horsepower. However, with those 116 ponies, it dashed from naught to 60 MPH in a respectable 8.6 seconds. The light, nimble sports car also clung to corners like the universe’s fate depended on it.
Consequently, the model was an instant sensation. Having remained true to its minimalist and fun nature, the car has remained popular for over three decades. Change is on the horizon for the Miata, which is a cause for excitement. Here are 10 reasons to wait for the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
We have studied manufacturer and regulator data and information from specialized sites like HotCars and MotorTrend to bring you the most exciting features of the upcoming Mazda Miata.
Mazda has made no secret of its plans to electrify its entire fleet by 2030, with fully electric vehicles making up at least 25 percent of the lineup. Therefore, there is no doubt that the Miata will be electrified. The expected release of the 2025 MX-5 in 2024 will coincide with the culmination of Mazda’s first phase of electrification, which involves streamlining supply chains and reducing costs.
However, Mazda has already shown its prowess in electric vehicle design. The assumption that it’s too early in Mazda’s electrification push for it to place a hybrid or pure-EV powertrain in the Miata is, therefore, misguided. On the other hand, Mazda might produce the last gas-powered MX-5. The 2025 Miata might be the last one running on gasoline alone. If that proves true, the upcoming vehicle may be the most valuable of all MX-5 models.
9The 2025 Miata May Be A Mild Hybrid
Mazda
The level of electrification that the Miata will get remains a mystery. Nevertheless, the MX-5 will likely adopt a mild hybrid setup with a 24-volt or 48-volt battery pack. The hybrid system’s provision of extra power will likely offset the increase in weight expected with the additional hardware.
A mild-hybrid system is probably the lightest electrification system that can be incorporated into the MX-5. Lightness is vital to the Miata’s identity, so Mazda will opt for the electrification method that adds the least weight. As such, the likelihood of an all-electric vehicle is low. To give the car decent range, Mazda would have to install a massive battery pack in the MX-5, adding weight and impacting performance and drivability.
Mazda could also stick a rotary engine in the front of the Miata and use it to charge the batteries powering the vehicle like it is doing with the Mazda Mx-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV. Such a system would reduce the batteries needed to power the MX-5 for long distances, allowing Mazda to keep weight down. The use of a lightweight rotary engine would also help keep the overall weight low.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that the lightest Miata at launch was the first one. Improvements in car safety meant it was inevitable that all cars, the MX-5 included, would gain weight. The second-gen MX-5 gained an ultimately insignificant 80 pounds. The third-gen MX-5, however, was nearly 300 pounds heavier than the original car.
For a car like the Miata, 300 pounds was a lot. Despite its added refinement, the NC-generation model was unpopular – it didn’t feel quite as agile as the Miata it had replaced. In response, Mazda began a weight-shedding exercise that cut nearly 150 pounds from the car: the ND-gen car tipped the scales at 2,332 pounds. The 2025 MX-5 could be even lighter: reports suggest that Mazda is targeting a 2,200-pound curb weight.
The MX-5 is already a frugal sports car when it comes to fuel consumption: the vehicle has a combined fuel efficiency of 29 MPG or 30 MPG, with the automatic variant being a tad more efficient than the manual model. That number is bound to improve, especially if the 2025 Miata features an electrified powertrain.
Improved consumption won’t mean a reduction in power.
Mazda’s target for the new MX-5 is 100 horsepower or more per liter, translating to at least 200 horsepower for the 2.0-liter Miata (the current Miata engine produces 181 horsepower). It could mean that the upcoming car will likely be quicker than the model it replaces. Estimates suggest that the 0-60 time will drop from 6.2 seconds to the high-five-second range.
The Miata has always retained its excellent driving dynamics, even when it gained considerable weight in the 2000s. With more power and reduced weight, the 2025 model could be the most fun to drive. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the car’s powertrain, it’s expected that the MX-5 will retain its excellent handling attributes.
A degree of skepticism is allowed, considering Mazda is forging into new territory with the new MX-5. However, history has proven that Mazda knows how to get it right. The satisfied grin you had when driving past Miatas up and down canyon roads may grow even wider as you chuck the new Miata into the corners of your favorite windy road.
The Mazda Miata ushered in the era of affordable sports cars. Before 1989, enthusiasts had to dig deep into their pockets to afford sporty vehicles. The MX-5 created a new segment that automakers rushed to exploit. Despite the introduction of worthy competitors, the Miata remained the most popular car in the segment, partly because it remained affordable.
The 2023 Miata starts at a little over $28,000, making it cheaper than rivals like the Toyota GR86. The car’s MSRP is expected to increase, especially if electrification occurs. However, a look at other Mazda models shows that the adoption of electric powertrains doesn’t lead to a huge price increase: the difference between the MSRPs of the gas-powered CX-9 and its replacement, the mild-hybrid CX-90, is only $845.
4The Likelihood Of Special Variants To Mark The End Of Gas-Powered Miatas
Mazda
Like many automakers, Mazda offers different variants of the Miata. The car’s underpinnings remain similar across the variants, with the pricier trims having more standard equipment. Things could change with the 2025 MX-5 if it truly is the last gas-powered Miata. Mazda may draw inspiration from Dodge when deciding how to bid adieu to the gas-powered MX-5.
Dodge turned the discontinuation of its iconic gas-powered muscle cars into a celebration of the internal combustion engine: the automaker announced seven outrageous special edition ‘Last Call’ muscle cars. It was the perfect way for Dodge to send off two of its most famous cars. The Miata and Dodge’s muscle cars are fundamentally different cars. However, Mazda could follow Dodge’s lead and release several special variants to mark the end of the gas-powered MX-5.
Unlike Dodge’s muscle cars, the MX-5 will remain. However, no one is sure how the electrification will change the vehicle. Therefore, the Miata as we know it now deserves a grandstand farewell, and the best way to do that may involve copying Dodge.
3Improved Safety And Infotainment Technology
Mazda
Mazda has no choice but to improve the Miata’s safety and cybersecurity features – they will become outdated soon. The car already had an impressive slate of safety features, including:
Blind Spot Monitoring System
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rain sensing wipers
Automatic adaptive headlights
Lane Departure Warning
The 2025 Miata will likely have more safety features. It’s also expected that the upcoming MX-5 will feature improved infotainment technology. The vehicle should feature a larger infotainment touchscreen, navigation across all models, and wireless charging.
The interior of the MX-5 epitomizes minimalism. It gives off the sense that Mazda would have been amenable to only fitting a shifter, pedals, steering wheel, tachometer, and one seat for the driver. Given the Miata’s low price, you understand why the interior doesn’t feature posh materials or high-tech gizmos. Nevertheless, Mazda will likely redesign the car’s interior, though not by much.
The automaker might fit a few more cubbyholes to store personal effects and increase leg space for the occupants. The vehicle lags behind badly compared to its competitors when it comes to cargo space, which could motivate Mazda to increase cargo volume.
1A Revised, Eye-Catching Exterior
Bring a Trailer
Spy shots of the upcoming Mazda Miata suggest that the Mazda Miata’s shell won’t change much. The photos showed minimal changes, including wider rear fenders, which indicate that the new MX-5 will feature a wider rear track, improving rear grip. The images suggested that parts like the fascia, headlights, taillights, and exhaust pipes will carry over to the 2025 car.
However, the vehicle shown was likely a mule fitted with the current model’s body. Reports suggest the 2025 Miata will feature updated lights and a redesigned fascia. The MX-5’s exterior updates will likely be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, retaining its understated looks.
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