The All-New Mazda MX-5 takes up the torch for the best-selling roadster in history. Now in its fourth generation, the all-new MX-5 delivers a perfect balance of Mazda’s patented Jinba Ittai driving fun with comfort and convenience, all in an aggressively charming design.
The fourth generation MX-5 is the most fuel-efficient to date, underpinning Mazda’s fundamental lightweight sports car principles with the addition of SKYACTIV Technology. Especially tuned engines and transmission adapted for the front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive layout, ideal 50:50 front-rear weight distribution with shorter overhangs, a low yaw inertia moment and the lowest centre of gravity yet as well as the redesigned chassis improve the MX-5’s already legendary agility.
“Over the past quarter century, the demands for greater environmental friendliness and safety have grown increasingly more stringent. Each successive model of the past three generations has seen slight increases in body size and weight in response to these demands. In developing the fourth-generation MX-5, Mazda returned to the original aims of the first generation that had restored the culture of the lightweight sports car and then took on the challenge of embodying the fundamental pleasure of driving an open-top lightweight sports car in a product suited to today’s needs. The result is the most compact body size of any MX-5 generation. We are excited to launch this vehicle in Southern Africa”, comments Mr David Hughes – Managing Director of Mazda Southern Africa.
The all new Mazda MX-5 is designed and built to the highest standard of performance and reliability. This standard is backed up by a 3-year unlimited kilometre factory warranty. To provide complete peace of mind motoring, a 3-year roadside assistance, a 3-year service plan and a 5-year Corrosion Warranty are also included.
Model line-up and Pricing
2.0L Roadster Coupe 6Speed Manual – R 389,800 (Incl VAT)
- Max power 118 Kw @6000 rpm
- Max torque 200 Nm @ 4600 rpm
- Advanced keyless entry
- Advanced keyless push-button engine start
- Airbags SRS: front (driver and passenger) and side
- Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability
- Cloth Soft-Top
- Climate control air-conditioning
- Cruise control
- Daytime running lamps (LED)
- Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
- Headlamps (LED)
- Headlamps auto on/off function
- Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
- I-Stop Standard
- Leather seats
- Leather-wrapped: steering wheel, handbrake handle and gearshift knob
- Limited Slip Differential
- Internet radio integration (Pandora®, StitcherT and AhaT)
- Multi-function Commander Control
- Black coloured mirrors with heating function
- Premium Bose® 203 watt amplifier with 9 speakers
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Rear-view mirror with auto dimming function
- 7-inch touchscreen display (MZD Connect)
- 17-inch Alloy wheels
DESIGN
Innovate in order to preserve
Exterior
- An inspired KODO design strikes the perfect balance between tradition and progress, with its sweeping, powerful lines, short overhangs and wider stance
- Sleek, powerful and more aggressive nose features like the ultra-compact four lamp LED headlamp units, the LED daytime running lamps highlighting the MX-5’s broad stance and sharp strength-invoking character lines stretching from the top of the grille towards the headlamps.
- Low, wide trapezoidal outline when viewed from the front and back highlights the taut musculature
- Rear combination lamps reminiscent of previous generations, but with a new-generation signature
- Cabin moved rearward for stunningly balanced proportions with the top down or up
- Soft top stows neatly into a compact space for a streamlined silhouette
- A-pillars, windscreen header, door mirror trim and seatback bars match the soft top, emphasising the cockpit-style cabin
- Available with 17-inch alloy wheels which feature a sporty eight-spoke design with a four-nut centre hub made from durable lightweight cold-cast aluminium
- Offered in seven body colours: Soul Red Metallic, Ceramic Metallic, Arctic White, Crystal White Pearl Mica, Blue Reflex Mica, Meteor Grey Mica and Jet Black Mica.
Interior
- The exterior ridgeline extending from the front fender into upper door trim which is the same colour as the body unites the inside and outside of the all-new MX-5
- Cosy cabin like previous generations, only more ergonomic and comfortable, preventing fatigue and reducing distraction
- Single axis centred on driver with the steering wheel, instrument cluster and pedals in perfect symmetry, all major controls ideally balanced and spaced as well as lower seating position with added knee room and head clearance
- Improved soft top features an assist spring, making it even easier to operate while remaining seated
- Classic compact three-spoke steering wheel harkens back to the MX-5’s roadster heritage while facilitating nimble operation
- Black leather with red stitching sport seats designed for enhanced comfort along with performance-oriented hold
- Boot shape optimised to accommodate two standard carry-on bags
PACKAGING
Punching above its price tag
Vehicle Layout
- At 3,915mm, the overall length is the shortest of any generation and 105mm shorter than the previous model. Lowering the hip-point and the engine mount position lowered the center of gravity, while shifting the engine rearward 15mm in relation to the front wheel center further advanced the front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive layout and reduced the yaw inertia moment.
- The overall height of the all-new MX-5 is reduced while maintaining the same level of cabin comfort.
- The cowl and A-pillars were moved rearward by 77mm and 57mm respectively, all while moving the rear deck forward by 29mm. This creates a compact and well-toned looking cabin that naturally fits the seating position of its occupants.
- The trunk luggage compartment is 35mm longer and 36mm deeper than the previous model and features like detachable cup holders give the vehicle an edge.
Human-centric cockpit layout
- Efforts to further heighten the feeling of oneness between car and driver included positioning the driver closer to the car’s center and closer to the road surface.
- Cabin occupants now sit 15mm closer to the center of the cabin and 20mm lower
- Pedals were positioned to enable the driver to operate them while sitting straight, and all major controls and displays that offer visual confirmation were laid out in human-centric fashion.
- the low front nose, A-pillars that were moved rearward and thinner front header ensure visibility that affords a clear view of the road ahead and makes it easy to confirm conditions surrounding the car and remain aware of the car’s behavior.
- The design also delivers headroom, shoulder room, and legroom on par with the previous model, even though the body was made more compact.
Pedal layout
- The pedals are laid out so the driver can rest his or her feet spread apart in a natural position and can be pressed without twisting one’s body and without the driver’s foot bumping against the adjacent pedal.
- The clutch pedal moved approximately 15mm to the left and the distance between the brake and clutch pedals increased by 19mm.
- The accelerator pedal adopts a hinged organ type design that operates along the natural path of the motion of the driver’s foot and is designed to provide finer control over the heel-and-toe operation.
- The brake and clutch pedals do away with the drop-off around their periphery to create a flat surface with right-angled edges. Resulting in adequate surface area for smooth operation, even though they are made narrower so they can be operated without the foot catching on the adjacent pedal. Widening the area where the big toe of the left foot presses on the clutch pedal gives it a shape that is easier to operate.
Control devices
- Steering wheel:
– To facilitate quick and sure operation, the stitch design and rim shape steering wheel adopts a compact rim with a diameter of 366mm and a grip design that lets the driver slide their hands along the wheel’s surface to make hand-over-hand turning operations go smoothly.
– The steering wheel tilt adjustment range was increased to 42mm, a 10mm increase over the previous model. With the low seating position of a sports car, space below the steering wheel is an essential component for smooth wheel operation and for ease of entry and exit. The reduced diameter and expanded tilt range of the steering wheel for the all-new MX-5 provides up to 12mm more space below the steering wheel than on the previous model.
- Steering wheel switches:
– The switches mounted on the spokes are recessed so as not to interfere with steering operations. They are also designed to line up with the fingers for easy operation, minimizing the amount of finger movement required to operate them and helping to prevent missed operation.
- Shift knob:
– The design speaks of quality and aims to deliver an excellent feeling to shift operations when manual mode is selected.
Seats
- The all-new MX-5 adopts Mazda’s new S-fit Structure that employs a newly developed net material and urethane pads.
- It reduces the weight and thickness of the seats, while also demonstrating excellent damping characteristics that achieve positive hold characteristics and a mild, comfortable ride.
- The net on the seatback is divided into six individual tension levels to deliver a firm hold at the hips and lower back, while keeping the shoulder area from feeling constrictive. This allows for freer upper body movement at times such as when opening and closing the top.
- Because the net wraps snugly around the occupant’s body and follows its movement, it significantly improves holding capability when cornering.
- The seats gently hold the body when driving in the city or in other situations where the car is subjected to low G force, and supports the body firmly and in linear fashion under powerful G force conditions, such as when turning the steering wheel hard during sports driving.
Ease of entry and exit
- The following measures were implemented on the all-new MX-5 to help support ease of entry and exit, even though the hip-point was lowered:
– A carved out shape for the lower part of the door trim and the side sill trim is designed to make it easier to extend a leg out of the cabin.
– The top of the side sills includes a flat area that the occupant can place a hand on and support their body as they stand up.
– The height of the seat cushion is lower on the door side to make it easier to extend one’s leg out of the cabin.
DRIVING DYNAMICS
Jinba Ittai: For the love of driving
SKYACTIV-G direct-injection petrol engine
- Naturally aspirated lightweight power plants delivering linear pull from a standstill to redline along with outstanding real-world fuel economy.
- Feature high 13.0:1 compression, countering the drawbacks with a range of innovations such as dual sequential valve timing, multi-hole injectors and special piston cavities.
- Lighter and more compact intake and exhaust systems adapted to heighten MX-5 fun by squeezing the most from the engine. For instance the intake system improves efficiency and weighs 30% less than the outgoing model’s, the extra compact 4-2-1 exhaust is optimised for the MX-5’s layout and enhances torque and the engine sound.
- South Africa will offer the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 petrol engine.
SKYACTIV-G 2.0
- Specially tuned for wider low- and mid-range torque output
- 8kg lighter than the 2.0-litre engine for the previous model, delivering more torque, quicker acceleration and superior fuel economy
- Available with Mazda’s i-stop idle-stop system (for engine restarts in only 0.5 seconds)
- While providing a driving experience with plenty of torque, the engine also delivers combined fuel economy of 6.7 litres per 100km.
- The engine adopts an aluminum head cover that harkens back to the first- and second-generation models. Adopting a thinner material while maintaining NVH performance, the new head cover minimizes the amount of weight increase and present functional beauty in the engine compartment.
SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission
- Delivers the MX-5’s legendary crisp shifting and short throws.
- Direct-drive sixth gear, lower final ratio and simplified shift link structure reduce resistance, improving real-word mileage while smoothening shifting.
- Around 7% lighter than the outgoing six-speed manual because of improvements like the die-cast aluminium housing and better oil flow control.
- Smaller, lighter differential unit adds to further weight loss relative to the outgoing MX-5’s.
SKYACTIV-Chassis
- The system for the all-new MX-5 is 12kg lighter than that of the previous model. By using a portion of the body frame as the rear suspension cross-member and joining it in a truss shape, the weight of the structure is reduced and diagonal rigidity is increased.
- Built to feel even more like an extension of the driver than any MX-5 yet
- Adapted various components of the front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension to cut weight while heightening cornering stability, for example raising the front caster angle to improve traction and reduce under-steer, adding a rear cross-member truss structure to stiffen the suspension and repositioning the rear links for more control in corners
- Adopted a space-saving dual pinion electric power assist steering while also positioning the system closer to front wheels for more direct feedback and changing the steering gear ratio to make the car respond more faithfully and enhance driving enjoyment
- Enhanced the boosters to deliver better and more refined braking
- Improved control over load shifts smoothens the transition when braking and releasing the pedal for more comfort as well as a better cornering experience
- Suspension system weighs 12kg less than the outgoing model’s yet is stiffer thanks among other things to enhanced structures and the use of lighter materials
SKYACTIV-BODY
- The body shell of the all-new MX-5 is approximately 20kg lighter than the previous model, all while maintaining high levels of collision safety, rigidity, and ride quietness.
- Stronger yet lighter with a considerably higher ratio of high-tensile steels and aluminium, which now make up 71% of the body-in-white, up from 58% (aluminium used for numerous components, including the front fenders, bumper reinforcements, bulkhead and soft-top header panels, and seatback bars, raising the total proportion from 0.1% to 9%)
- In addition to creating a straight and continuous framework and optimizing the frame member cross-section, building a multi-load path structure that uses suspension cross members reduces weight while retaining structural rigidity and strength.
- New ring structure improves the rigidity of the body’s suspension supports
- Reinforced rear suspension towers stifle body deformation from road input
CONNECTIVITY
Tune in, Turn On and Drive
- Applies the heads-up cockpit concept used in other Mazdas to help the driver get the most from the vehicle’s technology yet still concentrate on the road
- Stylish analogue gauges with a tachometer in the middle, speedometer to the right and other indicators on the left
- Independent 7-inch display located on the dash for easy viewing of infotainment and communication-related information
- Key controls like the pedals, steering wheel, gearshift and rotary commander are ideally positioned, enhancing the feeling that the all-new MX-5 is an extension of the driver
- Brings safe on-the-road internet access into the roadster with the MZD Connect smartphone connectivity system which is operated using the rotary commander or voice command, is connected via Bluetooth for hands-free phone operation, text message send/receive and email readout and reply
- Nine-speaker BOSE® premium sound system specially designed for an open-top roadster, with differing frequency ranges that comprise this high performance system are paired with a high-efficiency seven-channel hybrid amplifier to deliver clear sound with a wide reproduction range
SAFETY
Uncompromising peace of mind
- The SKYACTIV-Body structure, modified for the MX-5’s open-top architecture, uses a continuous framework and straight beams wherever possible to disperse impact forces through a multi-load path structure
- Increased stiffness with strong yet lightweight materials such as 1,500MPa hot-stamped and 1,180MPa high-tensile steels around the cabin as well as high-strength 7000 series aluminium for the front and rear bumper beams
- Easily replaceable bolt-on parts absorb energy while limiting engine damage and repair costs following a minor frontal impact
- SRS front and side airbags provide additional protection, even with the top down
- Seatbelts equipped with pretensioners and load limiters
- Passenger seat accommodates ISOFIX child seats
- Anti-lock braking system
- Dynamic Stability Control
- Emergency brake assist (EBA)
- Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)
Model line-up and Pricing
2.0L Roadster Coupe 6Speed Manual – R 389,800 (Incl VAT)
- Max power 118 Kw @6000 rpm
- Max torque 200 Nm @ 4600 rpm
- Advanced keyless entry
- Advanced keyless push-button engine start
- Airbags SRS: front (driver and passenger) and side
- Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability
- Cloth Soft-Top
- Climate control air-conditioning
- Cruise control
- Daytime running lamps (LED)
- Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
- Headlamps (LED)
- Headlamps auto on/off function
- Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
- I-Stop Standard
- Leather seats
- Leather-wrapped: steering wheel, handbrake handle and gearshift knob
- Limited Slip Differential
- Internet radio integration (Pandora®, StitcherT and AhaT)
- Multi-function Commander Control
- Black coloured mirrors with heating function
- Premium Bose® 203 watt amplifier with 9 speakers
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Rear-view mirror with auto dimming function
- 7-inch touchscreen display (MZD Connect)
- 17-inch Alloy wheels
Mazda Care
The all new Mazda MX-5 is designed and built to the highest standard of performance and reliability. This standard is backed up by a 3-year unlimited kilometre factory warranty. To provide complete peace of mind motoring, a 3-year roadside assistance, a 3-year service plan and a 5-year Corrosion Warranty are also included.
Also view:
Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety
Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer