Mazda MX-5 ND: The Fourth-Generation Roadster, Specs, Editions and Legacy

The Mazda MX-5 ND is the fourth generation of Mazda's lightweight two-seat roadster, built at the company's Hiroshima plant from 4 March 2015. It became the second Mazda to win World Car of the Year, following the Mazda2 in 2008. Its shorter, lighter body and Skyactiv engines are the core of its story.

When did the MX-5 ND go on sale?

The ND was first shown on 3 September 2014 to audiences in the United States and Spain, with the Japanese reveal following on 4 September 2014. It was shown at the Paris Motor Show that October and the Los Angeles Auto Show that November. The car was released in the third quarter of 2015, after production began at Hiroshima on 4 March 2015.

At launch the US list price ran from $24,915 to $30,065.

A lighter, shorter roadster with Skyactiv engines, a fabric roof and a long run of editions from Hiroshima.

How was the ND different from its predecessor?

Compared with the MX-5 it succeeded, this car measures 105 mm (4 inches) less in length and weighs 100 kg (220 lb) less. That brings the curb weight to near 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).

Mazda also replaced the hydraulic power steering of earlier MX-5s with Electric Power Assisted Steering, known as EPAS. The cockpit, steering wheel and infotainment system were closely related to those in the 2014 Mazda3.

The car's fabric roof is standard equipment and can be opened or closed within a few seconds.

Which engines did the ND offer?

The ND offered two naturally aspirated direct-injection petrol engines, both built on Mazda's Skyactiv technology. The base model had a 1.5 litre engine rated at 96 kW (129 hp; 131 PS), while North American and Canadian cars before 2019 used a 2.0 litre rated at 116 kW (155 hp; 157 PS) at 6,000 rpm.

The 2.0 litre produced 201 Nm (148 lb-ft) of torque at 4,600 rpm before the 2019 revision. Every ND was launched with a six-speed manual, and a six-speed automatic was offered alongside it.

What changed in the 2019 update?

For the 2019 model year, announced in late 2018, the 2.0 litre gained output of 135 kW (181 hp; 184 PS) and 205 Nm (151 lb-ft) of torque. Redline climbed to 7,500 rpm, and a dual-mass flywheel joined the drivetrain.

Outside, the soft top turned burgundy and the wheels became black 17-inch items. Cabin changes were a telescoping steering column, redesigned cupholders, revised seat controls, a reworked door opener and a reverse camera fitted as standard.

In North America the 2019 car came as Sport, Club or Grand Touring, with Canada using GS, GS-P and GT. The US gained a GT-S version in 2019 that added the Club's limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers and strut brace to the GT. Those items became standard on the GT in 2020, retiring the GT-S name.

In December 2021 Mazda announced that the 2022 car would reduce steering and body roll in tight corners by applying the brake to the inner rear wheel.

What is the MX-5 RF?

The RF, short for Retractable Fastback, was announced in late 2016 as a version with a rigid roof and buttresses that give the car a more coupe-like shape. The whole rear tunnel roof lifts and moves back so the targa panel can fold down behind the seats, and roll hoops provide rollover protection.

The RF interior is almost identical to the standard car. It has a full-colour circular digital gauge in place of the standard display, and the storage cubby behind the driver's seat was removed to make room for the roof mechanism. The RF uses the same engines and offers similar performance.

The RF also brought in the Machine Grey Mica colour. A 500-car Launch Edition came at GBP 28,995 and used only the 118 kW (158 hp; 160 PS) 2.0 litre engine.

Which special editions were made?

Mazda built a long line of special editions across the ND's life. The Icon of 2016 was a UK model based on the 1.5 litre SE-L, limited to 600 cars, while the Yamamoto Signature of 2018 was sold only in Italy, with four examples released.

The 30th Anniversary Edition debuted at the Chicago Auto Show on 7 February 2019 in Racing Orange. Of the 3,000 units built worldwide, the US received 500 at first and later an additional 143, while 165 went to Canada, 30 to Australia and 30 to the Philippines.

Each car carried engraved Rays forged aluminium wheels, orange Brembo front and orange Nissin rear brake calipers, and Recaro seats with orange piping. US buyers configured their car before placing a $500 deposit.

Later editions were smaller still. The Eunos Edition of 2020 was limited to 110 cars in France, the 100th Anniversary of 2020 was offered across the Mazda range in limited numbers, and the Flat Out Edition of 2024 was sold only through Polish dealerships.

What did the Z-Sport look like?

The Z-Sport of 2018 paired 17-inch BBS wheels with Machine Grey paint and a cherry-red roof. Sand-coloured leather, a numbered dashboard plaque and Z-Sport badges on the sills and mats finished the car, which was otherwise a Sports Nav 2.0 with upgrade-list extras.

The Levanto of 2016 was a one-off collaboration with Garage Italia Customs, inspired by the 1966 film The Endless Summer. It wore an indigo blue and bright orange gradient paint job, and its interior was reupholstered in Japanese blue denim with blue Alcantara and orange stitching.

What did the Yamamoto Signature include?

The Yamamoto Signature of 2018 was an Italy-exclusive tribute to Mazda MX-5 Ambassador Nobuhiro Yamamoto. Only the 1.5 litre was offered, finished in Jet Black with red highlights, with a Mazdaspeed aero kit and a red engine bay brace and oil cap.

Inside, black and red Alcantara covered the trim, and an embroidered copy of Yamamoto's signature appeared on it. Buyers could add Ohlins suspension, semi-slick Toyo R888R tyres sized 205/50ZR16 on 16-inch Enkei RPF1 wheels, larger 280 mm front discs gripped by Brembo calipers, and braided steel hoses. Only four examples were released.

What did the Flat Out Edition change?

The 2024 Flat Out Edition was a Polish-only limited model developed with motorsport YouTuber Marcin Radecki. It added an improved track suspension setup, additional chassis bracing, more aggressive geometry and a Bastuck exhaust system, plus EBC Yellowstuff brake pads on both axles.

Styling included a full-body wrap, a Mazda front splitter, side skirts and two rear spoilers. Inside, a custom N-Engineering shift knob, Alcantara trim and Recaro seats were fitted, and the car rode on 17x8 Konig Hypergram Bronze wheels with 215/40/17 Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres.

How did Fiat Chrysler get involved?

Mazda and Alfa Romeo had planned a shared rear-wheel drive platform, a plan revealed in 2012 and dropped in 2014. In 2015 Fiat Chrysler revealed the Fiat 124 Spider and Abarth 124 Spider, both built on the ND platform.

The Fiat versions differed mainly in their 1.4 litre turbocharged engine, which produced 127 kW (170 hp), and in their distinctive front and rear lights. The Detroit News later argued the partnership helped preserve one of the most celebrated small sports cars of recent decades.

What is the Spirit Racing Roadster 12R?

The 12R is a Japan-only car that can be registered for the road yet is ready for track work, and 200 were planned. Power comes from a naturally aspirated 2.0 litre Skyactiv-G inline-four, with 197 hp (147 kW; 200 PS) arriving at 7,000 rpm, paired with a six-speed manual.

Mazda claims the 12R reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from rest in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). It has a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes and a chassis built from aluminium and high-strength steel.

A lesser Spirit Racing Roadster sold for international markets used the standard 181 hp (135 kW; 184 PS) engine and shared most of the upgrades. The Roadster RF version of that car added a hardtop.

How did critics and awards treat the car?

Jeremy Clarkson gave the ND five out of five stars in his column in The Sunday Times, and Top Gear scored the 2017 model nine out of 10. Car and Driver and What Car? each awarded five stars, and Top Gear rated the car eight out of 10 in April 2024.

The ND won World Car of the Year on 24 March 2016 at the New York International Auto Show, together with World Car Design of the Year. It also took Car of the Year Japan 2015-2016, Auto Express Roadster of the Year 2017 and a Red Dot Best of the Best award for product design in 2017.

How did the 2024 update change the car?

The ND3 update of February 2024 brought fresh infotainment, headlights with daytime running lamps, reverse lights built into the taillights, a different limited-slip differential, a reworked steering rack and light styling changes.

A dynamic stability control track mode could also be enabled, which partly disables the stability control and lets the car reach higher slip angles. The mode gave drivers a way to explore the chassis on track without turning the systems off completely.

Were there any delivery problems?

Yes. On 3 June 2024 deliveries of the Japanese-market Roadster RF were suspended after testers found engine control software had been rewritten during power output tests. Deliveries resumed on 28 June 2024 after the car complied with safety rules and received type approval.

How safe is the MX-5 ND?

Four airbags are fitted as standard, including torso, pelvis and head airbags for the driver and passenger. Headrests offer whiplash protection, and Vehicle Stability Control+ and a pedestrian-friendly bonnet were available as options.

In the Euro NCAP test the car earned four out of five stars, although a malfunctioning driver's airbag was unable to stop the dummy from striking the steering wheel. The car is a two-seater, so the passenger airbag can be disabled for a child seat.

Where does the ND sit in the MX-5 story?

The ND continues the MX-5 line of lightweight roadsters that began with the original car. Its later editions show how the nameplate was applied to many special models.

Die-cast toy makers including Tomica, Hot Wheels and Matchbox have produced versions of the fourth-generation car, which is one sign of how widely it was recognised. In Europe the 2.0 litre was discontinued in 2024 under stricter emissions rules, while UK cars can still be sold until January 2027.