Fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 revealed

So we now have our hands on all the press material Mazda has released with this initial launch of the fourth-generation MX-5. We can say that we do like the design quite a lot at first viewing in this two-dimensional form.

This ND MX-5 is the most different from its three predecessors, although Mazda will tell you differently. That’s no bad thing, though, because the company’s current Kodo design language is kicking goals across various product lines. Mazda’s cars do generally look very good and this new MX-5 is no exception. Perhaps more than ever this MX-5 looks as much fun as it should be to drive.

What we can’t bring you is any detailed technical specification. There’s 15 or so images, a brief press release and not much else. We know the new car will be around 100kg lighter than the old model. And we know it will have Skyactiv-G petrol engines “specially tuned for the MX-5.”

The new MX-5 won’t go on sale until 2015 so we expect full tech specs will be released in due course. We’ll bring them to you when we can. Until then take the jump to see everything we’ve got.

Mazda Unveils All-new Mazda MX-5

HIROSHIMA, Japan – Mazda Motor Corporation today celebrated the unveiling of the fourth generation Mazda MX-5 together with fans at events held simultaneously in Japan, USA and Spain.

The All-New MX-5, which adopts both SKYACTIV Technology and Mazda’s ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design language, will be rolled out to global markets starting in 2015.

TheMX-5 is an iconic model representing Mazda’s vehicle-engineering philosophy – the pursuit of driving pleasure.

“Innovate in order to preserve” was the motto for the fourth generation, as the development team searched for innovations that go beyond simple evolution.

Environmental and safety demands are much more stringent than they were when the first generation MX-5 was introduced 25 years ago, but the fourth generation stays true to the model’s original aim of offering the pure driving fun that only a lightweight sports car can.

It achieves this through the adoption of SKYACTIV Technology and refinement of its appeal to the senses and sensations through which people enjoy cars.

The design of the All-New MX-5 reveals another layer to Mazda’s KODO design language.

The exquisite proportions make the driver and passenger stand out, and both the interior and exterior evoke the exhilaration of open-top driving.

It is the most compact of any generation MX-5 so far and is more than 100 kilograms lighter than the model it replaces, promising a dramatic leap in Jinba-ittai driving fun.

As of July 2014, total production volume of the Mazda MX-5 exceeded 940,000 units and it continues to hold the Guinness World Record for the best-selling two-seater sports car.

This highly-celebrated model has received over 200 awards from around the globe including Japan Car of the Year 2005-2006.

Moving forward, Mazda will continue to develop products which offer all customers driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

Major specifications – Display vehicle*

• Body type: Open-top sports car
• Seating capacity: 2
• Overall length x width x height: 3,915 mm X 1,730 mm X 1,235 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,315 mm
• Engine: SKYACTIV-G direct-injection petrol engine
• Transmissions: SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission
• Front suspension: Double wishbone
• Rear suspension: Multi-link
• Steering: Electric power-assisted rack & pinion steering (EPAS)
• Brakes (front/rear): Ventilated discs / solid discs
• Tyres: 195/50 R16

* Values show development objectives

Mazda MX-5 production

• 1st Generation 431,506
• 2nd Generation 290,123
• 3rd Generation 225,494

Download

• All-new Mazda MX-5 press kit (4.4m PDF)