With little notice, we received an invite from Mazda to attend a small fan event on Treasure Island. Driving up the coast from San Diego to Seattle, the Mazda Miata Summer Tour made a pit stop in San Francisco to show off their 2019 Miata models.
It would have been great to get more members of the club to join us, as it appeared that Delta was well represented, even at short notice we showed up with 5 or 6 cars. Having made personal contact with the Mazda PR team, they are keen to help promote our club as they understand the reason the Miata has been so popular for almost 30 years is the loyal collection of owners and enthusiasts.
Who will be first to get one?
We appeared to be the only club to arrive with, not 1 but 2 supercharged Miatas, an NA and and RF. The Mazda PR team were keen to chat and obviously fans of all generations of the Miata not just the latest.
2019 Miata ND2
2019 RF2 with BBS / Brembo and Recaros
Along with the main attraction, a Soul Red ND2 (Auto) and the Ceramic RF2 there were Food Trucks and Pizza, what more could a Miata owner ask for... (well maybe some decent twisty roads and not just the Bay Bridge and construction site that Treasure Island is currently).
The external changes to this years models are almost invisible from the any distance. The most obvious one is the addition of a rear view parking camera (a requirement by law on all 2019 vehicles).
You can spot the 2019 by the rear camera. not as obvious on the Soul Red as the Ceramic.
Most people will be excited by the modifications to the engine, more power, higher revving, lighter flywheel. All welcome changes, whilst not huge changes, the continuing evolution of the Miata line. This is now the most powerful stock Miata ever released at 181 BHP (+26HP over the 2017/2018 models).
Zoom Zoom...
Unfortunately we were only able to look and not test drive these cars. maybe next time Mazda will stop by a local track and show us how they really can perform. (Hint Hint)
I do like these seats...
It was a short couple of hours, but nice to see the new cars and for Mazda to recognize how much local clubs do to continue the Miata legacy.
I would like to thank Shannon, Tim and the rest of the Mazda PR team for arranging the event and for inviting us along. We look forward to attending future events and including many more of our members in them.
Long Live the Roadster