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The Miata was designed to be a basic roadster with a minimum of unnecessary weight and complexity. Its design is inspired by, some say copied from, the Lotus Elan, a 1960s roadster that is widely considered to be one of the best handling sports cars of its day. Items such as electronic controls, power accessories and aerodynamic wings are deliberately left out.
The Miata has a traditional FR layout and 4-wheel independent suspension. It comes with either a 1.6 or 1.8 liter longitudinally mounted B6PThe Mazda B engine family is a four cylinder SOHC and DOHC engine family ranging from 1. It was designed for front-wheel drive economy car applications but was later modified for the turbocharged full-time 4WD 323 GTX and rear-wheel drive Miata as well as or BPThe Mazda B engine family is a four cylinder SOHC and DOHC engine family ranging from 1. It was designed for front-wheel drive economy car applications but was later modified for the turbocharged full-time 4WD 323 GTX and rear-wheel drive Miata as well as engineAn internal combustion engine is an engine that is powered by the expansion of hot combustion products of fuel directly acting within an engine. A piston internal combustion engine works by burning hydrocarbon or hydrogen fuel that presses on a piston; an coupled to a manual transmissionA manual transmission (also known as a stick shift or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in automotive applications. Other types of transmission in mainstream automotive use are the automatic transmission, very common in the United State (an automatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the car moves, thus freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. Most cars sold in the United States since the 1950s have had automatic transmission is available, though rare). 6-speed transmissions are available with newer special edition and LS-model cars.
The body is a conventional, but very light, unibody shell. Miatas also incorporate a unique trusswork called the Powerplant Frame (PPF) which connects the engine to the rear axle, minimizing flex and creating a tight, responsive feel. Many Miatas feature limited slip differentialsA Limited Slip Differential (LSD is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. and antilock brakes, but none have traction controlTraction control and Vehicle Stability Control systems, on current production vehicles, are typically (but not necessarily) electro-hydraulic systems designed to prevent loss of control when excessive throttle or steering is applied by the driver. The int.
With a 50:50 front/rear weight balance (when measured with an average weight driver and a 2/3 full gas tank), the car has a very neutral handling, which makes it easy to drive for the beginner, and fun for the advanced driver. Inducing oversteer is easy and well controllable. The Miata is popular in amateur and stock racing events, particularly the Sports Car Club of America's Solo-II autocross series.
Since production began, over 700,000 Miatas have been made, leading the Guinness Book of Records to name it the world's best-selling sports car on February 13, 2002.