Mazda to unveil next MX-5 Miata sports car

Back in April, we boldly predicted that Mazda — which was making a big deal out of the MX-5 Miata's 25th anniversary — would show the next edition at the New York Auto Show. We were wrong.

Instead, it trumpeted an anniversary edition of the famous little roadster and a new chassis that might make a mighty fine platform for some future automobile. It left open the question of whether there would be a new Miata.

Well, it was only a matter of time: Mazda said Thursday that it will unveil the fourth generation of the MX-5 Miata in Monterey, Calif., in September. Monterey is where the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is situated.

"We're excited to make this official, to announce that the newest member of the MX-5 Miata family will be arriving soon," said Jim O'Sullivan, CEO of Mazda North American Operations.

Interest in the tiny two-seater continues unabated. When the limited-edition 25th anniversary edition MX-5 Miata went on sale recently, it was snapped up in minutes.

The chassis that Mazda showed in New York included its SkyActiv technology, a number of fuel-saving measures that include higher engine-compression ratios. That appears to be a gentle hint that the next Miata will be the most advanced yet.