Bitche original There was once such a paragraph on the MX-5 page of Mazda Japan's official websiteWords: "British pioneers have pioneered this field. The first generationNA has resurrected this field. We are full of respect for our forefathers and are dedicated to presenting our ideal Roadster.It is inheriting Mazda’s will and will be filled with joy for its drivers and passengers. "As the holder of the Guinness World Record for the sales of convertible two-seater sports cars, the MX-5 is not only Mazda's most successful model, but it also revitalized the dying British sports car market in the 1990s. What are the stories that happened in the past 30 years? Today I will take you to take stock of the model history of Mazda MX-5.
· Commemorating the first generation MX-5 NA designer-Tanaka Shunji (1946–2021)
Before I start talking about the story of MX-5, I would like to commemorate Mr. Shunji Tanaka, the "Father of Miata". On December 12, 2021, Mr. Shunji Tanaka, chief designer of the first-generation Mazda MX-5, passed away at the age of 75. In 1986, Mr. Tanaka Shunji, who had been working at Mazda for 15 years, was appointed as the chief designer of the MX-5 NA. He participated in the main design of the car's exterior and interior. During this period, he also participated in the design of the Mazda 929 (1991–1995). He then went to work at Kawasaki and began designing motorcycles.
·MX-5 NA (1989–1997)
The birth of MX-5 begins with a car editor, in April 1979 In August, Bob Hall, an editor at the automotive magazine Motor Trend, was invited to visit the Mazda headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan. During the visit, he chatted with then-Mazda R&D chief Kenichi Yamamoto about his dream car and drew a diagram on the blackboard explaining how easy it would be to build a convertible using parts from the then-Mazda 323. .
In November 1983, Mazda decided to develop a lightweight sports car to be embedded under the RX-7. Then Mazda began to conceive the appearance of this lightweight sports car, so Mazda launched a "battle for design centers" in its design centers in Hiroshima, Tokyo and California. The concept of front-wheel drive and mid-wheel driveThe car was designed by two Japanese teams, and the California team was the only team to use a front-rear-drive convertible design. Finally, in 1984, after two rounds of reviews of the full-size model, Mazda decided to mass-produce the American team's design.
In 1986, Mr. Tanaka Shunji served as the chief designer of the MX-5 (internally codenamed J58G at the time). When Mr. Tanaka saw the concept car, he said half-jokingly: "Koichi Hayashi (the Japanese designer of the California team) has been in the United States for a long time. He is used to eating steak and has forgotten what sushi tastes like." Mr. Tanaka said this What he means is: He feels that the design of the concept car is too catered to the American market and does not take into account the Japanese domestic market. Moreover, its appearance looks too similar to the Mazda RX-7 (FC). So he began to make drastic changes to the concept car, not only shortening the wheelbase, but also reducing the body size, and finally got the MX-5 NA we see now.
At the same time, Toshihiko Hirai was appointed project manager, tasked with bridging the huge gap between concept cars and production cars. Hirai, a passionate engineer, was the perfect person for this daunting task. His involvement is a big step toward realizing the MX-5 Miata. Hirai Toshihiko proposed the primary design idea of "horse and man integrated". Hirai and his team insisted that the car needed to be lightweight, with a low center of gravity, balanced weight distribution on the front and rear axles, double wishbone suspension, and an easy-to-use soft top.
In the spring of 1987, a prototype close to the production version was sent to Los Angeles for review. A total of 245 people attended the review meeting, and all of them spoke highly of the concept and design of the car, which was enough for Mazda to eliminate any concerns. In fact, this review meeting also accelerated the progress of the mass production plan. In September 1987, Mazda announced that the design of the car was completed, and the MX-5 entered the final stage of production and commissioning.
At the Chicago Auto Show on February 10, 1989, the Mazda MX-5 was launched on the market, with prices starting at US$14,000. Immediately after its launch, it was selected as the Best Vehicle of the Year or the Best Cabriolet of the Year by major car magazines. Afterwards, it won many awards in a row and became famous.
MX-5 is officially named Mazda MX-5 Miata, where "MX" stands for Mazda Experiment and "5" stands for Project 5. Number5). The name Miata comes from the Old German word for "reward"
In September of the same year, the MX-5 was launched in Japan, but the car was not labeled as a Mazda car. Instead, Mazda’s high-end brand Eunos was used and named Eunos Roadster. Eunos' brand positioning is comparable to Toyota's Lexus, Nissan's Infiniti and Honda's Acura.
The first generation MX-5 model was designated NA. In terms of appearance, it is somewhat similar to the Lotus Elan. Its characteristic is that it is cute and cute. When the headlights are turned on, combined with the air intake grille and rounded appearance, it looks like a happy big-eyed thing. The convertible design, compact body, and unique styling have once again revitalized the niche market of Roadster.
The body size of MX-5 NA is 3970/1675/1235mm, the curb weight is 980kg, the body weight ratio is close to 50:50, and the drag coefficient is 0.38Cd. The front and rear suspensions are double-wishbone independent suspensions, equipped with anti-roll bars at the front and rear. The rim size is 14 inches and the tire specification is 185/60 R14. All four wheels are equipped with disc brakes, and ABS anti-lock braking system is optional.
Initially, Mazda planned to use a 1.4L engine for the MX-5, but due to insufficient power, it switched to the Mazda 323's twin-camshaft 1.6L engine with maximum power It has 86kW and a maximum horsepower of 135N·m. The engine is matched with the Mazda 929's 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed automatic transmission is also available in the Japanese and American markets.
The MX-5 is known for its small size, light weight, technological advancement, dynamic balance and simple design, and is often referred to as the successor to the British sports cars of the 1960s. who. Mazda originally planned to sell 40,000 MX-5 units globally annually. However, sales reached 45,266 units in the first year of its launch, with average monthly deliveries of 4,000 units in the United States and 3,000 units in Japan. The following year, annual sales in 1990 were 95,640 vehicles, of which 25,226 were sold in Japan.
In 1991, Mazda launched this British Roadster-style small sports car into the mainstream with the British Racing Green special edition, which was limited to 4,000 units. Toward the peak. In addition to the racing green paint, it also comes with tan leather seats, Nardi wooden gear and handbrake handles, and a limited edition plaque on the center console to commemorate its rarity. In addition, MX-5 has had many special editions, such as Gleneagles, Merlot, California, Monza, Dakar, Berkeley, Monaco, Harvard, etc.
In all Among the special edition MX-5s, the rarest and most collectible is the 1991 Le Mans Commemorative Edition. The car was built to celebrate Mazda's victory in the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race, and only 24 were built. The 1.6T turbocharged engine it is equipped with has a maximum power of 112kW and a maximum torque of 209N·m, which is the most powerful among all NA models. In addition, the suspension has also been specially adjusted. Each vehicle is signed by Mazda 787B racing driver Johnny Herbert, who won the championshipLimited edition certificate.
In 1992, a new Sunburst Yellow paint option ($250) was added to the MX-5, but this The color was only produced for one year, and there are approximately 2,000 MX-5s painted in this color, making it rarer than many limited editions. Fortunately, I saw an MX-5 of this color on the streets of Shanghai 10 years ago.
In 1993, Mazda collaborated with China Electric Power Corporation to build three electric MX-5s. The car is equipped with 16 nickel-cadmium batteries with a range of 180 kilometers. The curb weight is 1410kg, which is nearly 50% higher than the fuel version MX-5. Not long after this, Mazda also trialled a rotary engine version of the MX-5 that used hydrogen instead of gasoline.
In 1994, MX-5 ushered in a mid-term facelift in the product cycle. The original 1.6L engine was replaced by a new 1.8L engine code-named BP-ZE, with a maximum power of 96 kW and a maximum torque of 149 N·m. The brake pad size was also increased. In order to improve the safety of the MX-5, longitudinal reinforcements are added behind the seats, and anti-collision beams and side airbags are installed in the doors. A 1992 Mazda logo is also installed on the front bumper.
In addition to the model facelift in the same year, the MX-5 also launched an optional package called the R package, which included front and rear spoilers and lightweight aluminum alloy wheels. coilovers, Bilstein dampers and Torsen limited-slip differential. Until the MX-5 NA was discontinued, there were only 1,841 vehicles equipped with the R package. There is also a metallic blue paint (Montego Blue Mica), polished aluminum alloy wheels and fender logos, and the M Edition special edition is limited to 3,000 units.
In 1995, Mazda launched another M Edition special edition, this time limited to 3,500 units. It is different from the 1994 version in that it uses purple paint (Merlot Mica) and 15-inch BBS wheels. The interior also surpasses all previous MX-5s, using tan leather seats and adjustable headrests. , high-end audio and so on.
In 1996, Mazda upgraded the MX-5's power system again, with the maximum power increased to 99kW, but the vehicle weight also increased by 10kg. , so power and vehicle weight are basically offset. At the same time, at the New York Auto Show that year, Mazda exhibited a concept version of the two-door hardtop MX-5, named M Coupe Concept.
MX-5 NA produced a total of 431,506 units of the entire product. During this period, many other brands began to lose patience as they watched Mazda make a fortune. , one after another began to brew their ownRoadster models, the more famous ones include BMW Z3, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Audi TT and Porsche Boxster.
The MX-5 NA has not been officially introduced in China, but there were some through individuals in the 1990s. Bring it into the country through channels or foreign businessmen’s own methods. Among them, I was lucky enough to drive a late-model 1.8L NA one year ago. Even though it was a car that was nearly 30 years old, the driving experience was still amazing. Even compared with the current ND, it was not much inferior. This shows that NA's success back then was not a miracle, but its success created a miracle.
·MX-5 NB (1998–2005)
October 1997, second generation MX -5 was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, codenamed NB. The design of the new car is led by Tom Matano, and the styling is borrowed from MazdaRX-7 ( FD). The biggest change between NB and NA is the cancellation of the headlight design, and this change is because the headlights cannot pass the pedestrian protection test in a collision. In addition, the aerodynamics of the car have been optimized to a certain extent, and the drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.36Cd.
In terms of power, NA’s 1.8L engine is still used, but certain changes have been made to the interior of the engine, such as changing the piston surface shape and changing the engine compression ratio. Increased from 9:1 to 9.5:1; the intake cam was changed to a solid lifter design with a higher cam angle; the head intake duct was straightened, and the intake manifold installation position became higher, with Variable air intake control system. The upgraded engine is codenamed BP-4W, with a maximum power of 104kW and a maximum torque of 157N·m. In addition, the 1.6L engine is still sold in the European and Japanese markets
In February 1998, the MX-5 NB was officially launched. Prices in the main market, the United States, start at $19,770. The NB with greater power can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.8, and the top speed can reach 210km/h, which is a qualitative leap compared to NA.
Like NA, a large number of special edition models have appeared during the NB life cycle. The first special edition model was the 10th Anniversary Edition, limited to 7,500 units, released in 1999. The 10th anniversary model was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the MX-5. Compared with the regular version, the car uses exclusive metallic blue paint (sapphire blue mica), blue interior, BOSE audio, Nardi leather steering wheel and gear handle , 6-speed manual transmission, Bilstein shock absorbers, Torsen limited-slip differential, 15-inch polished aluminum wheels and more. The driver's side front fender of each vehicle comes with a limited edition number and a limited edition certificate signed by Mazda President James E. Miller.
Due to the replacement of a 6-speed manual gearbox, the 10th Anniversary Edition has better engine performance and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds. , 0.3 seconds faster than the regular 5-speed model, and the top speed increases from 210km/h to 214km/h. Although the car has been improved in all aspects, the price of $26,875 is too high, about $6,500 higher than the standard model, so it took Mazda more than a year to sell it out.
In September 1999, the 10th anniversary of the launch of MX-5, Mazda invited thousands of The owner of the car came to Hiroshima, Japan, to celebrate his birthday at the Miyoshi Proving Ground, known as the "birthplace" of the car. Mazda also brought out a 10th anniversary commemorative edition for everyone to sign as a souvenir. Every 10 years in the future, Mazda will hold a birthday party here, and signing the MX-5 as a souvenir has become a tradition at this event.
At the 2000 SEMA modified car show, Mazda launched the Mono Posto concept car based on this generation of MX-5. The design was inspired by Lotus Eleven and Jaguar D-Type. The car adopts a single-seat layout, is equipped with 18-inch wheels, and the engine power is adjusted to 141kW.
In May 2000, the Mazda MX-5 broke the Guinness World Record with sales of 500,000 units, becoming the best-selling convertible two-seater sports car in history.
In 2001, Mazda updated the MX-5 NB's mid-term facelift, this facelift has a more sporty look; the headlights are changed to lens lighting; the 1.8L engine adds variable intake timing, and the maximum power is increased to 113kW (Japan, the UK and Australia) or 107kW (the United States) ); the body has been strengthened, with bending stiffness increased by 16% and torsional stiffness increased by 22%; title ABS anti-lock braking system; 15-inch wheels become standard, and 16-inch wheels are optional for high-end models. As a result, the weight of the car also reached 1065kg
In the same year, the British Racing Green special edition returned again after ten years. The car is based on the top-spec MX-5, with British Racing Green paint, tan leather seats and roof, Nardi solid wood steering wheel and polished 16-inch wheels.
In 2002, EuroNCAP conducted a crash test on the MX-5 and received 4 stars for adult protection.star, but only 1 star for pedestrian protection. EuroNCAP said: "Although the MX-5 has a low profile and we did not need to test the hood for pedestrian protection, the protection performance is still very poor."
In the Australian market of the same year, Mazda launched the MX-5 SP (Special Performance) version, limited to 100 units, priced at AU$55,540. Even though the SP is much more expensive than the standard version of the MX-5, it was sold out almost immediately after its release. The reason is that the special feature of this car is the addition of a Garrett GT2560R turbine, a cast intake manifold, a large-size radiator, and carbon fiber Air intake airbox and sports exhaust. After the turbine is added, the maximum power and torque reach 157kW and 289N·m respectively. Driving from 0-100km/h can be completed in 6 seconds. The commercial success of the SP paved the way for the subsequent development of the Mazdaspeed MX-5.
In 2004, Mazda finally launched a non-limited edition turbo Supercharged version of MX-5, named Mazdaspeed MX-5. The car is equipped with a variant of the IHI RHF5 VJ35 turbocharger on the BP-4W inline four-cylinder engine, with a maximum power of 133kW and a maximum torque of 226 N?m. With Bilstein shock absorbers and wider tires, the car can achieve more than 0.98g of lateral grip. Later, due to a fire in the factory production facility, Mazdaspeed MX-5 had to significantly reduce production. Within two years of sale, a total of 5,428 units were sold in North America, including 4,000 units in 2004 and only 1,428 units in 2005.
At the same time, Mazda launched a hard-top version of the MX-5 specifically for the Japanese market , named MX-5 Roadster Coupe. It is a customized product of Mazda's E&T division, which is a subsidiary of Mazda responsible for the design and production of special vehicles. A total of 179 units of this car were produced, 53 of which were equipped with 1.6L engines, and the rest were all 1.8L engines. Later, production was also forced to stop due to a fire in the factory. This car is unknown to many people because its production cycle is extremely short and it is only available for the Japanese market.
On March 5, 2004, Mazda had manufactured 700,000 MX-5s, continuing to maintain the Guinness World Record.
The MX-5 NB was once evaluated by Gorilla Jeremy Clarkson in TopGear: "Anything that can run on the road can't be like the MX-5 5 will also bring you endless fun. The only reason why I gave MX-5 a five-star rating is that I cannot give it fourteen stars. "Such a high rating is really surprising.
· MX-5 NC(2005–2015)
At the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda unveiled a concept car called Ibuki, which foreshadowed the design ideas of the third-generation MX-5.
In 2005, Mazda unveiled the mystery of the third-generation MX-5, code-named NC , designed by Yasushi Nakamura. This generation of models canceled the Miata name and was directly called MX-5. However, Mazda later realized that the name Miata had a high brand resonance in the hearts of users, so with official acquiescence, the name has been passed down to this day.
In order to consider comfort and practicality, this generation of models has enlarged the body size to increase the cabin and trunk space. However, this approach also resulted in this car no longer meeting the tax level for medium-sized cars stipulated in Japanese law, so Japanese users need to bear more car costs. Although the body size has increased, the new car uses a large amount of aluminum alloy and high-strength steel as materials, so the curb weight is only 10kg heavier than the NB.
The new car provides a brand-new 2.0L engine code-named MZR LF-VE. The version matched with a 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission has a maximum power of 125kW and a maximum torque of 190 N·m; matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, it is 118kW and 188N·m. In addition to the 2.0L engine, the European market also provides a code-named 1.8L engine with a maximum power of 94 kW and a maximum torque of 167 N·m. It is only matched with a 5-speed manual transmission.
NC is different from the previous two generations of MX-5 in that it does not use any parts from the old model, and the suspension is changed from the original four-wheel double wishbone form to Double wishbone front/multi-link rear, sharing parts with the Mazda RX-8. Traction control and stability control have been added to improve driving performance, with lateral grip up to 0.9g.
At the 2005 New York Auto Show, Mazda unveiled the first limited edition model of the MX-5 NC, which was characterized by a chrome frame added to the air intake grille and a silver front bumper. Wind caps, exclusive 17-inch wheels and exclusive Velocity Red paint. Limited to 3,500 units worldwide, it is the earliest NC model delivered.
In 2006, the MX-5 model debuted an electric folding hardtop design, which could open and close the roof in 12 seconds. Its characteristic is that the folding roof will not affect the trunk space and also improves safety. Compared with the soft-top version, the car weighs 36kg more, which is why the NC is called the fattest Miata. In the North American market this version is called the MX-5 Miata Power Retracble, it is called Roadster Power Retracble in Japan and MX-5 Roadster Coupe in Europe. The first batch of models began to be delivered at the end of August 2006.
In 2008, MX-5 launched a special edition limited to 800 units called Niseko car model. The car is available in Icy Blue and Sunlight Silver, with a Dark Saddle Brown roof, chrome grille frame and fog lamp covers, and exclusive 17-inch wheels. On the interior, the stitching is the same ice blue as the exterior, stainless steel pedals and exclusive floor mats.
At the Paris Motor Show in the same year, Mazda released the mid-term facelift model of the MX-5 NC. The appearance of the facelifted car was integrated into Mazda's "NAGARE" design concept at the time. The two visually contradictory appearances of sharp edges and smooth curved surfaces were combined to give the NC a tough and radical visual impact. The engine has not been changed, the gearbox has optimized shift smoothness, and an automatic model has been introduced to the European market for the first time. The suspension has been slightly adjusted to improve understeer, making the new car easier to drift.
Mitsuoka Motors created a famous model based on the folding hard-top version of the MX-5 in 2008. For Himiko models. Mitsuoka's designer Takahiko Aoki has completely changed the appearance of the MX-5. The finished Himiko has a very retro appearance and is very similar to old British sports cars such as the Jaguar XK120 and Morgan Aero 8. According to reports, each Mitsuoka car requires 45 craftsmen to hand-build it.
At the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2009, FAW Mazda announced the introduction of the MX-5 folding hardtop version, priced at 299,800 yuan, and delivery would begin in June. This is the first time that MX-5 has entered the Chinese market through official channels. Finally, imports were stopped in 2012 due to poor sales. Although the MX-5 is not very popular in the new car market, it is still active in the used car market. Since around 2015, the price of second-hand cars has started to climb year by year after falling to a low of 120,000 yuan. The current general price on the market is between 150,000 and 160,000 yuan.
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in the same year, Mazda’s studio in Frankfurt, Germany designed a car called MX-5 Superlight concept car to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the MX-5. The engine of this concept is a European-standard 1.8L version, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. It is designed with super lightweight design in mind, with a curb weight of 1,000kg, which is only 59kg heavier than the NA's 1.8L version.
It’s still 2009, In September, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of MX-5, More than 1,600 MX-5s and 2,600 car owners from all over the world came to the Sanhao Proving Ground for a gathering. This time, just like 10 years ago, Mazda took out an MX-5 and asked all the friends who came to leave signatures on it. Moreover, this gathering of MX-5 broke the Guinness World Record for the number of single-model gatherings.
In February 2011, the 900,000th Mazda MX-5 was launched, maintaining its ranking for 11 consecutive years. Guinness World Records.
At the same time, at the Chicago Auto Show, in order to commemorate the record of 900,000 vehicles, Mazda launched a limited edition of 750 units exclusively for the US market. Edition, priced at $31,720. This commemorative edition is only available in a folding hardtop version, with metallic gray (Dolphin Gray Mica) and metallic black (Sparkling Black Mica) exterior options, with gray interiors and 17-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels
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Also in 2011, Mazda unveiled two MX-5 modified cars at the SEMA modified car show in November, namely the MX-5 Super20 and the MX-5 Spyder.
MX-5 Super20 is modified with a removable fiberglass roof, Cosworth supercharger, ACT competition clutch, Mazdaspeed coilover shock absorber, Racing Beat anti-side bar, StopTech brake pads, SpeedSource brake disc and 16-inch Enkei RPF1 rims with TOYO semi-thermal tires.
MX-5 Spyder has a removable soft top design, and the front insurance shape is different from the regular version. It is different and adds LED daytime running lights, and there is a Spyder logo on the roof fixed part. At the same time, the car has also been modified with Brembo brake calipers, Racing Beat exhaust and 17-inch Advan Racing RSII lightweight wheels.
In 2013, Mazda once again revised the NC. This time, the exterior styling moved closer to the soulful design, and the front and rear seats were enlarged. The grille opening is adjusted, the shape of the fog lamp area is adjusted, and a black front lip is added to make the vehicle look more aggressive. There are no major changes in terms of power and configuration, and manual soft tops and folding hard tops are still available.
In May 2014, Mazda launched the last limited edition of the NC at the New York Auto Show ——25th anniversary edition. The car is limited to 1,000 units worldwide, including 750 units in the UK (priced at 22,995 pounds), 200 units in North America (priced at US$32,205 in the United States/priced at 33,200 Canadian dollars in Canada), and 50 units in other regions.
25th anniversary The commemorative edition is only available with a hardtop convertible, with a Soul Red exterior paint, black headlights, gloss black painted A-pillars, exterior mirror housings and roof. The wheels are dark gray 17-inch, and the front fenders have exclusive limited numbered logos. The interior features white leather seats with 25th anniversary hot-stamped logos.
The power part is equipped with the same tuned 2.0L engine as the regular version of the MX-5. It comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and provides optional Equipped with 6-speed automatic transmission. Although the only difference between this commemorative edition and the regular edition is the color scheme, the 25th anniversary commemoration meant that it was sold out within minutes after the official US website opened for pre-order on May 31.
Compared with the previous two generations of models, the MX-5 NC is an innovative product, but innovation also brings many Questions such as "obese body shape" and "excess weight." These problems directly led to it being the least successful generation in the history of MX-5. Many loyal fans even joked about removing it from the roster and not recognizing it as a Miata. However, this generation of NC has greatly improved the recognition in the European market, and also gave us domestic fans the opportunity to feel the charm of MX-5.
From the global production and sales data of MX-5, we can see that even in the last two years of the product life cycle, NB's sales remained above 25,000 units/year. The NC has dropped to the 20,000 units/year level since 2010, and finally stopped production at 10,000 units/year. From the history of these three generations of models, we can also see that the better the MX-5 sells, the less styling changes Mazda makes to them. For example, the NA and the ND that will be reviewed soon have basically no styling changes in these two generations. has been changed, while the NC has undergone two styling changes. It can be seen that Mazda wants to enhance the freshness of the NC in this way, thereby increasing sales.
·MX-5 ND (2015-present)
In October 2010, Mazda clarified the appearance design of the fourth-generation MX-5 The most basic concept is "Minimum Packaging". Mazda's three design studios in Yokohama, Frankfurt and San Francisco designed prototypes based on this basic idea.
In June 2011, three studios proposed a total of 7 exterior design plans to Mazda. The jury based on the design that could reflect the MX- 5 spiritSeven projects were evaluated one by one based on the two criteria of "simple and lively" and "rich, emotional expressions" that can reflect the "soulful" design language.
In August 2012, Mazda decided to adopt the design plan of the Yokohama Studio as the design of the new car prototype and began to prepare for mass production design work.
In September 2014, Mazda released the fourth The first generation MX-5 model, codenamed ND, has Mazda chief designer Masaru Nakayama as the design director. It made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September of the same year.
On March 4, 2015, ND was officially put into production at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant, and delivery began in the third quarter. In the United States, the car is priced from $24,915.
ND adopts the soul-moving design concept, using soft changes in the curved surface to produce light and shadow effects to indirectly outline the lines of the car body. The light and shadow effects of the car body are inspired by the "speed" of the vehicle. half part. Zhongshan Ya's design for the ND is that it is a model that serves as a link between the past and the future. The soul-dynamic design concept that has gradually matured on CX-5, Encore, Atez and other models has been self-evolved on the MX-5 ND. This soul-dynamic design 2.0 will be used as the basis for all new Mazda cars and facelifts in the future. The basis of the model.
In terms of ND’s interior, the most outstanding design is the door panel covering in the same color as the body, especially in the convertible state. This design detail makes the interior a natural extension of the exterior. The interior feels like part of the exterior. The center console has canceled the multimedia control buttons and integrated them all into the knobs behind the gear handle. The simplified design creates the atmosphere of a suspended cockpit. It is worth mentioning. This interior design language has also been quickly applied to other Mazda models.
In terms of power, ND is equipped with two Skyactiv-G engines, of which the 1.5L version is supplied to the Japanese and European markets, and the 2.0L version is supplied to the North American and European markets. The former has the highest power 96 kW, maximum torque 150N·m, the latter are 116 kW and 200N·m respectively. Both engines can be matched with 6-speed manual transmission and 6-speed automatic transmission.
After summing up experience and lessons from NC, Mazda gave the initial mass production design of ND The goal is to "return to NA", so designers and engineers have done a lot of lightweight and size optimization work for the new car. In the end, the body size of the ND is 105mm shorter than the NC, and the vehicle weight is 100kg lighter. The curb weight of the Japanese-standard 1.5L version is only 990kg, and all data are the same as those of the NA is very close.
At the 2015 SEMA modified car show, Mazda unveiled two concept cars based on the ND. They are the MX-5 Spyder and the MX-5 Speedster. The MX-5 Spyder is similar to the 2001 Spyder, with a removable canvas top. The MX-5 Speedster is the same as the 2009 MX-5 Superlight. It is also designed with lightweight in mind, weighing only 943 kilograms.
August 2015, Euro NCAP announces MX-5 The ND's crash test score was four out of five stars, which is already a very high score for a convertible with a naturally weak body structure. Among the four major tests, pedestrian protection scored a high score of 93 points, and active safety was the main reason why it lost points.
Fiat in Los Angeles in November of the same year The Fiat 124 Spider, which was resurrected on the MX-5 ND platform, was unveiled at the auto show. The car is equipped with a Fiat MultiAir 1.4T engine, which is available in high and low power versions. The maximum power and torque are 119kW, 249 N·m and 122 kW, 249 N·m respectively. The high-power version is called Abarth 124 Spider. . The transmission is available in 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic. The manual transmission does not use a new model specially developed for ND, but uses the old 6-speed manual on NC.
At the New York Auto Show in March 2016, Mazda released the folding hardtop MX-5 ND, unlike the NC, the new car adopts a convertible style similar to the Porsche 911 Targa. The RF model is only equipped with a 2.0L engine, with manual or automatic transmission options. With the release of the MX-5 RF, ND also introduced a new paint called Machine Gray Mica
At the same time at this auto show, The MX-5 also won the "Car of the Year" and "Car Design of the Year" awards from the annual World Car Awards. This is the second time Mazda has won the World Car Award after the Mazda2 in 2008. Interestingly, Mazda2 was also designed by Masaru Nakayama.
On April 22, 2016, MX-5 was producedThe volume reached 1 million units, still maintaining the Guinness World Record. As a car that focuses on fun attributes, it only took 27 years to complete this number. To commemorate this event, Mazda took the 1 millionth MX-5 produced to tour around the world, allowing fans to leave signatures on the car.
In mid-2016, Mazda launched a soft-top MX-5 model called Icon in the British market, limited to 600 years, priced at 20,995 GBP. The car is equipped with a 1.5L engine and is available in platinum steel gray and pearl white. The special features of the limited edition model are the front lip, rear spoiler and rearview mirror housing with exclusive logos and body decals, as well as hybrid red paint.
Later in the same year, Mazda launched a Launch Edition commemorative edition limited to 500 units specifically for the launch of the RF model in the British market, priced at 28,995 pounds. This limited edition is equipped with 17-inch BBS wheels, Recaro seats, Mazdaspeed and black rearview mirror housings. The color is only available in Soul Red or Platinum Steel Gray.
At the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2017, FAW Mazda announced again after 8 years that it would introduce the MX-5 RF version through official channels . In fact, this generation of MX-5 has been very popular since its launch. Prior to this, dozens of MX-5s of various regional specifications were sold in the country through parallel imports, so there is also a certain market demand in the country. But it seems that consumers have higher expectations for the soft-top manual transmission, but various reasons have prevented it from being introduced. In October of the same year, FAW Mazda announced that the RF will be limited to 500 units, priced at 339,000-340,000 yuan, and will be delivered starting in 2018. However, this time ND's trip to China encountered the same situation as his predecessors. The new car market was stagnant and the second-hand car market was hot. To this day, the price of ND's second-hand cars is basically the same as that of new cars.
In December 2017, the MX-5 was launched in limited edition 3,000 units of the Z-Sport version cost £25,595. The platinum steel gray body with a brown-red roof is the most special feature of this car. The interior is decorated in beige and is equipped with 17-inch BBS wheels and Bilstein shock absorbers.
In February 2018, Mitsuoka Motors released the second-generation Himiko. This time, the car is based on ND and is similar to the second-generation Himiko. The biggest difference of the first generation is the use of a soft-top convertible. Powered by the SKYACTIV-G 1.5L engine, the matching gearboxes include 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic.
In May of the same year, in order to commemorate Nobuhiro Yamamoto, who had worked at Mazda for 40 years, the A YamamotoSignature commemorative edition, this version is very rare, only sold in Italy, and only 4 units, priced from 37,500 euros. There is a unique badge on the car with the Chinese character "gan" engraved on it, which means "thank you". Optional Ohlins coilover shock absorbers, Toyo R888R tires, 16-inch Enkei RPF1 wheels, Brembo 4-piston front calipers, Nissin rear brake pads and stainless steel brake hoses.
At the end of 2018, Mazda carried out the first mid-term facelift of the MX-5, code-named ND2. There is no difference in the styling design of this facelift. The main reason is that the 2.0L engine has been improved, the piston and connecting rod have been redesigned, and the fuel injection system and intake manifold have been adjusted to increase the power and torque to 135kW and 205N· m, the redline speed is increased to 7500rpm. Other changes include a standard reversing camera, an optional brown soft top, and optimized interior ergonomics.
On February 7, 2019, Mazda unveiled a commemorative model developed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MX-5 at the Chicago Auto Show, named 30th Anniversary Edition, limited to 3,000 units worldwide. This car is available in soft-top and hard-top versions, with a unique Racing Orange paint, limited numbered badges on the body, and Recaro seats. 17-inch Rays ZE40 forged wheels and orange Brembo brake calipers.
The car originally had a quota of only 500 units in the US market, with prices starting at US$35,915. However, its market response was quite intense, so after receiving feedback from buyers, Mazda decided to allocate an additional 143 units to the US market. Even so, demand for the 30th Anniversary model still exceeds supply, and once it was launched, the price had to be increased to US$50,000 to take delivery of the car.
When September comes, it’s time for car owners and friends to go to the Sanhao Proving Ground to celebrate the MX-5’s 30th birthday. More than 2,000 MX-5s came here this time, and the gathering coincided with a typhoon, so some car owners were unable to attend, otherwiseIf so, the scale of this event will be even greater. Of course, it’s natural to sign the MX-5 as usual. Now the three previous signature cars are displayed together (10th anniversary, 20th anniversary, and 1 million vehicles), which is very commemorative.
In the third quarter of 2020, Mazda established 100th anniversary, and to pay tribute to its R360 sports car, it released the 100th anniversary edition of several of its models, including the MX-5. The commemorative editions of MX-5 are based on the top models of soft-top and hard-top versions. This edition is only available in pearl white (Snowflake White Pearl Mica) A car paint with a Burgundy Red headliner and Garnet Red (Garnet Red) headliner and Nappa leather seats. In addition, there are multiple 100th anniversary logos all over the car. This version is also quite rare, with a total of 700 units limited to the world.
In December 2021, Mazda carried out the second mid-term facelift of the MX-5, code-named ND3. The selling price in Japan is 2,623,500 yen-3,922,600 yen. There are still no changes to the styling this time, but a Kinematic Posture Control system has been added. This system controls the suspension to make the vehicle have a more stable body posture under different dynamics to improve vehicle stability. The body color has been added to Platinum Quartz Metallic, and the roof has been added to Dark Blue.
In addition, a new lightweight design 1.5L model called 990S has been added to the Japanese market. This version is currently the lightest ND model with a curb weight of It weighs 990kg and is equipped with 16-inch Rays ZE40 forged wheels andBrembo brake calipers.
The tool manufacturer revealed that the fifth-generation MX-5 is expected to be released in 2025. In order to cooperate with the pace of comprehensive electrification, It may be hybrid or pure electric, but nothing is known yet, and we can only wait to get the answer. But one thing is clear,The next generation MX-5 will not use the NE code name, because this code name is already used by Fiat 124 Spider...
ND is also used by Gorilla Jeremy· It was praised by Clarkson, who rated the car five out of five stars in his "Driving" column in The Sunday Times, calling it an "engineering gem". He commented, "This is a car that can cure depression. You won't be in a bad mood when you drive it."
MX-5 ND is undoubtedly It is the most successful generation of MX-5 since NA. Even after it is discontinued, we may look back and find that its shine has surpassed NA, because Mazda has completed its original goal of "returning to NA" so perfectly. In this era where appearance is king, it has been on the market for 7 years and its styling has not been changed at all, but it still attracts many people who love driving. If it were any other car, no one would be able to do it today. Comparable to it.
Editor’s comment: Mazda perfectly interprets a sentence: The original intention of my efforts is not to change the world, but to change the world. It’s about trying not to be changed by the world. For more than 30 years, it has been making changes to the concept of "man and horse as one". In my opinion, some of Mazda's handling styles are a bit over the top, even self-isolated. It only does what it thinks is right, and it does not affect others, nor does it affect others. Don't want others to influence it. But the success of the MX-5 has revived the British sports car market, which may mean that as long as you persist in your opinions, the world may one day change for you. For those who love driving, MX-5 will be the forever answer!
Note: Some of the pictures in this article come from the Internet and official sources.