1990-1998 Mazda Miata: Technical Specifications

The first Miatas arrived with an aggressive little 16-valve, 1.6-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder delivering 116 horsepower. While the power output seems small, so is the Miata--tipping the scales at just over 2100 lbs. Acceleration is lively, especially with the slick-shifting 5-speed. The automatic dropped both fuel economy and horsepower output for the 1.6-liter. The Miata also loses much of its spunk with the automatic. There's just not enough torque to compensate. A larger 1.8-liter engine replaces the original 1.6-liter unit in 1994. The optional automatic also incorporates electronic shift controls. With the new powertrains, both manual and automatic transmissions deliver the same horsepower ratings--128 at 6500 rpm. Engine tuning to reduce emissions adds five more horsepower and four more pound-feet of torque for 1996, resulting in respectable outputs of 133 and 114.