Following rumors about Mazda planning to install a hybrid powertrain in the next MX-5, a company representative confirmed in an e-mail sent in June to Motor1.com about plans to electrify the beloved roadster. The Zoom-Zoom automaker stopped short of detailing to which extent the NE-generation sports car would get an electric boost, but Autocar is now seemingly unlocking some of the secrets.

The fifth-gen Miata will allegedly switch to a SkyActiv-X engine, a four-banger unit with a small supercharger developed to push the air into the cylinder. As seen in other applications, the gasoline mill benefits from spark-controlled compression ignition for better performance and fewer emissions. A 48V mild-hybrid system is on the agenda as well to cut fuel consumption furthermore and meet stricter regulations.

According to Mazda, the 2.0-liter SkyActiv-X delivers up to 30 percent more torque than the equivalent SkyActiv-G 2.0 unit while reducing fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent. Interestingly, the page on the Japanese automaker's website dedicated to the new engine specifies the powertrain has been conceived for "real-world efficiency, not simply to do well in a government test cycle."

The SkyActiv-X is already installed in a number of models, including the Mazda3 and CX-3, where it "pulls like a turbodiesel, but revs like a normally aspirated gasoline engine." It would seem the MX-5 is next in line to get the 2.0-liter engine, while Autocar casts doubts on the future availability of the smaller 1.5-liter unit. Instead, the 2.0-liter SkyActiv-X could be the sole powertrain, but offered in several states of tune.

A manual gearbox is a given, and so are Mazda's efforts to keep the weight down to a minimum. It's for this reason the MX-5 won't be a full hybrid / plug-in hybrid, let alone an EV. Batteries would add a lot of heft and ruin the driving experience of which the Miata is widely believed to be the gold standard.

As far as styling is concerned, the report goes on to mention we should see a newly shaped front grille and angular LED headlights, but without making the MX-5 look too aggressive. Inside, the little sports car is said to adopt fancier materials, a digital instrument cluster, and more modern controls in the same vein as other recent products to signal Mazda's push upmarket.

The NE-generation Miata is expected to arrive at some point in 2024.

Long heralded as the ultimate drivers car, one of the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s greatest advantages has always been its low weight. Japanese customers are set to get even lower weight thanks to the newly unveiled 990S trim.

The new edition is named after the weight of the vehicle, which Car Watch reports has been reduced to an NA Miata-rivaling 990 kg (2,182 lbs). The model rivals the original Miata in simplicity, too, having had nearly every frill removed.

Mazda achieved the weight reductions in a number of ways, including ridding the car of sound deadening and by ligthening the hood. It also gets lightweight wheels that remove 3.2 kg (7 lbs) and Brembo brakes that help remove 700 g (1.5 lbs) despite being bigger at the front.

Although that less than 10 lbs of weight savings between the wheels and brakes may not sound like an astounding amount, Mazda‘s engineers say that 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of unsprung mass is the equivalent of 10 kg (22 lbs) of sprung mass when it comes to cars.

To alert passersby to the lightweighting efforts of its engineers, Mazda has opted to swap the red brake calipers for black ones with blue “Brembo” script. The blue theme follows on the A/C vents and the soft top fabric.

It’s not all stripping, though, Mazda has added a new feature that might scare some purists, but excite engineers. Vehicle Attitude Stabilization Control is a new handling technology designed to control lean in corners.

The car does this by applying a minimal amount of brake pressure to the rear inner wheel when the it senses more than 0.3 G of cornering forces. It works to suppress wheel lift up and keep the vehicle flatter through the corners. Whether or not drivers will like it remains to be seen, but Mazda worked to ensure that drivers felt no discomfort while using the system that replicates the experiences of using an electronically controlled suspension. It can be turned off by turning off DSC.

Based on the least powerful version of the car, the 990S gets the 130 hp (132 PS/97 kW) 1.5-liter engine with the open differential. Since the bigger 2.0-liter engine requires heavier duty parts to deal with the extra power, it won’t be offered with the lightweight package. But according to Shigeki Saito, the development chief for the 990S, that’s not a problem.

“Horsepower and fun are not proportional, but lightness and fun are proportional,” he told Car Watch (as translated by Google). “The lighter the car, the more fun it is. If you enjoy driving, I think this roadster is the best right now.”

If the Miata is always the answer, Mazda is smart enough not to mess around too much with a winning recipe. Case in point, the 2022MY has been officially launched at home in Japan and hasn't changed much, and the little tweaks that have been made are all for the better. The most important novelty is the adoption of what is known as the Kinematic Posture Control for the suspension.

KPC brakes the inside wheel to create anti-lift force while cornering at higher speeds to reduce body roll and make the roadster feel more planted. With the engineers being obsessed (in a good way) with keeping the Miata's weight as low as possible, you'll be happy to hear the upgraded suspension does not add a single ounce.

KPC is smart enough to figure out the turning conditions in real-time based on the speed difference between the left and right wheels at the back. Its impact progressively increases or decreases based on that difference to "produce natural posture stabilizing effect." In other words, the MX-5 feels exactly the same as before during normal driving, but should you push it harder, it's going to be more stable than its predecessor.

The 990S special edition previewed at a local event in late October is now official in The Land of the Rising Sun. It starts off in the lightest trim level and gets 16-inch RAYS forged wheels to shave off around 800 grams (1.76 pounds) at each corner, meaning a diet of 3.2 kilograms (seven pounds). Mazda fits the car with Brembo ventilated discs with four-piston calipers finished in black with blue lettering at the front axle along with black calipers for the rear.

As the name suggests, it tips the scales at 990 kilograms (2,182 pounds), thus making it only 30 kg (66 lbs) heavier than the 1989 MX-5 NA. It's based on the S version with the six-speed manual transmission, but with further tweaks made to the dampers, coil springs, electric power steering, and the engine.

Inside, it gets exclusive floor mats and blue/piano black accents for the air vents. Mazda Japan is asking ¥2,893,000 yen (about $25,300 at current exchange rates) for the purest version.

Elsewhere, the JDM-spec MX-5 gets an elegant Terracotta Selection version for the RF model, priced at ¥3,798,300 ($33,300), while the Platinum Quartz Metallic paint is added to both body styles. In addition, the roadster now comes with a navy fabric top combining a black leather interior with a dark blue roof for ¥3,191,100 ($28,000). In Japan, Mazda will sell the rear-wheel-drive sports car with the 1.5-liter engine for the standard model while the RF gets the 2.0-liter unit.

The mildly updated roadster goes on sale locally from mid-January, with the navy fabric top specification to be sold until May 31, 2022.

The Mazda Miata is a firm favorite here in the office, so whenever there’s an update to the beloved two-seater we pay close attention. For 2022, there’s big news for all of the stick-shift fans as Mazda is killing off the automatic gearbox on two of the car’s trims.

In 2022, if you buy either the entry-level Miata Sport or mid-tier Club models, Mazda will only offer you a six-speed manual. If you want an automatic gearbox in your pocket-sized sports car, you’ll have to opt for the top-tier Miata Grand Touring.

That automatic Miata Grand Touring starts at $32,300 for the convertible, while the manual will set you back at least $32,800.

If that sounds like a lot for a Miata, don’t worry as the manual cars are more reasonable.

For 2022, the Sport trim Miata and its glorious manual gearbox will start at $27,300, and the mid-tier Miata Club starts at $30,800. There’s also an option to spec your Miata Club with Brembo brakes, BBS wheels and Recaro seats, which will set you back $35,300.

Reduced gearbox options aren’t the only changes coming to the 2022 car.

Other notable new features on next year’s Miata include a pearlescent white color, called Platinum Quartz Metallic, and a new shade of interior leather, which Mazda has dubbed Terracotta Nappa.

On the tech side, the new Miata comes with Mazda’s latest handling software called Kinematic Posture Control (KPC). The new system manages braking across all four wheels to improve handling in high-g corners.

Mazda says this has all been done to boost “confidence and driving enjoyment.”

The new car also has a host of weight-saving features, like aluminum fenders, hood and trunk, and an aluminum power plant frame.

Mazda has also upped to standard components on the 2022 car, which now includes anti-lock braking, front ventilated disc brakes, rear disc brakes with aluminum calipers, front and rear stabilizer bars, front double wishbone suspension, and monotube dampers, amongst other things.
All this means that if you are in the market for something new and fun in 2022, the answer is, once again, Miata.

The iconic Mazda MX-5 Miata we know today started life more than 30 years ago as a simple, fun-to-drive roadster. That ethos hasn’t changed much. The car’s design has mutated over four generations, though they all invoke the original in some form, drawing inspiration from Shunji Tanaka’s original design. He was the car’s original chief designer, tasked with bringing the concept to production. Sadly, he passed away earlier this month.

Tanaka’s passing was announced on Facebook by a friend who said Tanaka’s last words were, “I have no regret in my life.” He was 75. Mazda had picked the Miata’s design by hosting a competition between its global design studios, with the California team’s car winning over the design from Tokyo. Mazda tasked Tanaka with translating the concept’s design into the first-generation NA Miata, becoming one of the many people who had a hand in crafting the two-door icon’s design.

There’s little known about Tanaka, though after he designed the Miata, crafting the look of the interior and exterior, he went to work at Kawasaki designing motorcycles. He also did design work on the Mazda 929 when he was still at the company. The fourth-generation ND Miata looks nothing like the original, with more curves and angles than ever, though the basic formula remains the same.

The next big change for the car will be electrification. Mazda has confirmed there will be some form of electrification in the Miata by 2030, though It doesn’t specify to what extent. A fully electric Miata would be a dream, but stuffing an electric powertrain into the small platform might make it too heavy to be fun. A mild hybrid paired with a potent engine could be the likelier scenario, finding a balance between electric powertrain superiority and fun-to-drive handling dynamics. Whichever path Mazda decides to take, we expect Tanaka’s original to help guide the new design.

While virtually all automakers are downsizing on the road to embracing EVs, Mazda is doing the exact opposite. It recently announced a new rear-wheel-drive platform ushering in a pair of inline-six gasoline and diesel engines. In addition, it’s among the last car manufacturers to still sell cars with naturally aspirated powertrains. Not only that, but it still sees a future for the oil-burner in some parts of the world.

In the roadster world, the MX-5 is alive and well despite constant pressures from regulators to cut fleet emissions. Autocar spoke with Mazda's head of product development and engineering in Europe, and he reassured fans the Miata will remain a Miata: "It's our brand icon and it is always treated very specially. At the moment, it looks like we will have this car forever, with this size and concept and combustion engine."

[size=13px]He admitted there will come a day when "we will have to electrify it, but we want to keep this pure concept." Joachim Kunz pointed out the MX-5 will not switch to an existing platform used by the other cars and SUVs since that would mean the loss of RWD. He went on to say most of the development work is done at home in Japan as the sporty roadster "is the baby of the headquarters."[/size]

While an exact date as to when the ND generation will be replaced was not provided, Kunz suggested it won't happen in the near future: "Having one generation for 10 years is not a problem for us." That's because the MX-5 has a special place in the company's lineup, separate from its mainstream vehicles. His statement indicates the NE model is highly unlikely to come out before 2024 considering the current car was launched in 2014.

When it does eventually arrive, the new MX-5 will largely retain the formula that made it the world's best-selling two-seater sports car. However, a company spokesperson told us back in June 2021 that "Mazda is seeking to electrify the MX-5 Miata in an effort to have all models feature a form of electrification by 2030.” A plug-in hybrid seems unlikely since it will add a lot of weight and create issues with packaging, so our money is on a full hybrid setup or a more probable 48V mild-hybrid system.

Whatever the case may be, the NE-gen model might end up heavier than the current car, which weighs a remarkable 2,182 pounds (990 kilograms) in the JDM-only 990S special edition.

The current-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata has been around for quite a while. The ND era launched in 2014 for the 2015 model year, and now we're getting our first look at what should be the NE model. However, your attention shouldn't fall on the camouflaged face, smiling as it is. The real action is happening beneath this skin, as we believe this is a test mule wearing a modified ND body.

We'll give credit to Mazda for being supremely clever here. At a glance, one might see this as a prototype wearing a small facelift. It's certainly not uncommon for automakers to wrap an entire nose in camo wrap for even small changes, but as far as we can tell, there's nothing different about this Miata's grinning front clip. The headlights look unchanged, as do the slim corner vents and that happy-as-heck grille.

Fortunately, this test vehicle was caught on camera by two of our spy sources, snapping nearly 50 photos all total. And a few of those images capture what's really happening on this car

It seems we're dealing with an NE MX-5 test mule wearing a modified current-gen body. The white finish makes it hard for the camera to catch details, but as the photos above show, the rear fenders have been widened. It points to the new sports car featuring a wider stance, while also keeping the same wheelbase

We can also see some wiring taped to the side of the car, running underneath just ahead of the rear wheels. As for the camouflage on the front, we think it's just there as a distraction. Of course, we've learned to never say never when it comes to test vehicles and spy shots

Mazda has said the next-generation MX-5 will continue with its own rear-wheel-drive platform and a gasoline engine. However, a 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain could enter the mix. Mazda also previously said a 10-year life cycle for its sports car isn't a problem, which makes 2024 a likely timeframe to see the new model revealed. ...

The MX-5 is getting up there in age as the fourth generation of Mazda's iconic roadster was unveiled in September 2014 before entering production in March 2015. The venerable sports car will live to see another generation, but until that happens, the ND soldiers on in the United States with minimal changes. New for the 2023MY is a Zircon Sand exterior paint, an optional color we've already seen on the Japanese and European versions of the Miata.

Introduced for the 2022MY, the Kinematic Posture Control has apparently been well-received by customers and will remain embedded into the rear-wheel-drive convertible. As a refresher, KPC applies a gentle brake to the inner rear wheel during cornering to diminish body roll and keep the MX-5 glued to the road. It's not the only Mazda to feature this technology as the new CX-60 midsize SUV (sold outside of the US) also incorporates the system.

There aren't any changes underneath the hood where the MX-5 retains the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter gasoline engine. The four-pot mill continues to produce 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, following the introduction of the ND2 for the 2019MY. Depending on the trim level, the NA engine is linked to a six-speed manual or an automatic with the same number of gears.

In other markets, Mazda continues to sell its popular cabrio with a 1.5-liter unit, which was initially supposed to be the only engine available for the Miata. Later in the development phase, the company figured out Americans wouldn't buy the car with such a small powertrain and installed the 2.0-liter unit before upgrading it a few years later.

As far as pricing is concerned, the math starts at $28,050 for the MX-5 Miata Sport with a six-speed manual gearbox. Only available with a black soft top, the base trim level costs $400 more than before. If you prefer the added sophistication and comfort of the hardtop version, the RF begins at $35,350.

The huge gap between the two is explained by the fact the RF is not available in the Sport trim as it starts off as a Grand Touring with more equipment included. As before, the automatic is available only for the fancier Grand Touring, at $33,550 for the soft top and $35,900 for the RF. This trim level also gets an exclusive Terracotta Nappa leather interior for an additional $300.

The most expensive of the bunch remains the manual-only Club with the Brembo BBS Recaro Package, at $36,050 for the soft top and $38,550 for the RF. Destination and handling are an extra $1,275 or $1,320 if you happen to live in Alaska. It means you'll be spending just under $40,000 for the MX-5 Miata Club RF with the Brembo BBS Recaro Package.

We could be dealing with the final year for the ND-generation Miata as spy shots of a test mule have been caught by car paparazzi. Mazda has pledged to retain the RWD formula with a combustion engine, but expect a dose of electrification to keep regulators happy. A mild-hybrid system could be planned, and hopefully, it won't bring a major weight penalty.

Mazda has unveiled a thoroughly updated MX-5 Miata in Japan where the convertible sports car goes by the name of Roadster/Roadster RF. You can call it the "ND3" as it follows the 2019 update when the "ND2" was introduced with a more powerful variant of the 2.0-liter engine. The following revisions are likely to be applied to the global version in the coming months after the Japan market launch in mid-January 2024.

Already available to preorder in the Land of the Rising Sun, the 2024 Miata boasts new LED headlights that now integrate the daytime running lights. Previously, these had been installed in the bumper and consisted of multiple dots for a design that was beginning to show its age, having been around since the 2015 ND1. The taillights have also been discreetly updated and Mazda now uses LEDs everywhere, including the turn signals.

The left side of the front grille has been modified to accommodate a radar sensor for adaptive cruise control with Smart Brake Support. The latter automatically stops the car while reversing at speeds of up to 9 mph (15 km/h) when it detects an object. Rounding off the exterior changes are the Aero Gray Metallic paint and new wheel designs in 16- and 17-inch sizes.

Stepping inside, the ancient infotainment system has finally made way for a new 8.8-inch setup we recently saw on the JDM-spec 2024 Mazda2 and CX-3. It modernizes the dashboard thanks to thinner bezels but the real benefit should be its functionality since the old setup was laggy and had an outdated user interface. There's also a new tan interior with a beige top for a combination Mazda says takes after old-school roadsters.

Although not mentioned in the press release, the images show a frameless rearview mirror, an SOS red button, a slightly updated instrument cluster, and what look like USB-C ports.

The Miata ND3 gets a newly developed asymmetrical limited-slip differential bringing improved stability for the versions equipped with the six-speed manual gearbox. The engineers have also tweaked the electric power steering to reduce friction and deliver a "natural and clean feedback feel." Another change is the addition of a DSC-Track mode for the dynamic stability control system, which intervenes only when the driver is no longer able to control the car.

In addition, the 1.5-liter engine (not available in the United States) has gained four horsepower provided it runs on high-octane fuel. The bigger 2.0-liter unit with the manual promises to deliver better response both when accelerating and decelerating.

The release of an ND3 automatically means the current-generation Miata is going to stick around for at least a couple of years. Purists will definitely appreciate this decision considering Mazda has already said it will have no other way but to electrify the next-gen model to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations.

The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is officially here, and the updates previewed by the JDM model are thankfully being carried over into the U.S. spec car today. As we suspected, the update is thorough enough to perhaps call it the “ND3,” making it the third significant version of this generation.

Mechanically, Mazda says it’s installed a new steering rack with internal revisions for less friction and then updated the electric assist calibration through software. This results in “smoother steering action with a more defined ‘on-center’ feeling for relaxed freeway cruising, yet greater precision as the front tires are loaded up under hard cornering,” per Mazda. We’ll be excited to try it out.

Manual transmission Club and Grand Touring trims (read: not the base Sport trim) add a new asymmetric limited-slip differential that features a new cam mechanism for different ramp angles on acceleration and deceleration. Mazda says “a stronger lockup under engine braking improves stability at corner entry, resisting unwanted oversteer,” and “reduced lockup during acceleration reduces unwanted understeer.”

A new “DSC Track” mode’s been added to the stability control system and is designed to give you more leeway for track driving without completely losing stability control aid, which, again, is only on the Club and Grand Touring models.

As we expected, the powertrain options remain the same, meaning your only engine choice is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder – 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque – paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic w/paddle shifters.

The aesthetic changes for the 2024 Miata are subtle, but look closely and you’ll notice new LED headlights, new LED taillights and new wheel designs. There’s also a new color called Aero Gray that comes with a $450 upcharge.

Interior updates are far more substantial, as the MX-5 finally snags Mazda’s latest infotainment system. It plays on an 8.8-inch screen that can be controlled via the rotary knob on the center console, but is touch-capable when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This also marks Mazda’s first Amazon Alexa-integrated infotainment system, which allows for much more in-depth voice control over the car’s systems. In addition to the new infotainment, Mazda says a revised gauge cluster features simplified and higher-contrast graphics for easier reading. And for your comfort, the center console is now fitted with more padding.

Trim-specific changes make the Miata’s changes even more in-depth. The Club model gets revised seats with black suede accents strategically placed in the cloth material. And while the Sport requires a wired connection, the Club trim and up add wireless Apple CarPlay (but still wired Android Auto) capability. And don’t worry, you can still tack on the Brembo BBS Recaro package to the Club model.

Pricing for 2024 is up, but not prohibitively so. We’ll list all the base prices for the various trims for you below, including the $1,165 destination charge.

Soft Top:

Sport: $30,150
Club: $33,650 (add $4,800 for Brembo BBS Recaro package)
Grand Touring: $35,450
Grand Touring auto: $36,370

RF:

Club: $41,375 (includes Brembo BBS Recaro as standard equipment)
Grand Touring: $38,175
Grand Touring auto: $39,145