Facelift coming for Mazda MX-5
Updated version of world’s most popular roadster spotted testing on Nurburgring with new lights, reflectors and antennaThe current ND-series Mazda MX-5 has been with us since 2015 and now it seems the popular compact sports car is about to be upgraded, with a facelifted version spotted lingering around the Nürburgring – undisguised.
A pair of images were posted to the Rollendereporter Instagram page over the weekend, showing a bright red MX-5 RF heading out for a track session wearing subtly tweaked headlights and tail-lights, with the rear units matched at the back by new reflectors and a shark-fin antenna.
The changes are so small only diehard MX-5 aficionados and car-spotters would be able to notice them at first glance, and even then it’d take them a second or two.
This isn’t actually the first time we’ve seen an updated version of the current MX-5; a lightly disguised prototype was spotted testing in September last year with camouflage adorning the entirety of its front bumper.
Sources at the time suggested the vehicle could actually be a test mule for the next-generation ‘NE’ MX-5 and, while that remains a possibility, it’s probably more likely that was a pre-production prototype of this new facelifted version.
We couldn’t see any obvious changes under the white car’s front camo wrap, but now the sighting of this red version tells us why – because it’s just a headlight tweak.
If Mazda is planning to release a facelifted MX-5, it’s likely to guarantee the current-generation roadster’s future out to at least 2025, which would give it a 10-year model life extended out to the introduction of controversial Euro 7 emissions regulations.
When it eventually launches, the all-new NE MX-5 – which was indirectly previewed in November by the Mazda Vision Study – is tipped to at least incorporate 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.
Despite now being the oldest sub-$50,000 sports car on the market, the MX-5 continues to attract huge demand in Australia – especially the tin-top RF variants that were subject to delivery wait times of up to 18 months as of late 2022.
Image Source: Rollendereporter Instagram
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