Mazda MX-5 gets more power, higher prices

The upgraded Mazda MX-5 is now on sale in Australia, bringing more powerful engines, more equipment and $750 price increases across a streamlined 10-variant range.

Mazda Australia has slashed the MX-5 model range by 33 per cent to reduce complexity, with the soft-top Roadster model now available only in two model grades and the other three being RF (Retractable Fastback) models, including a new Black Roof version.

The base 1.5-litre engine is now offered only in entry-grade form and the compact convertible line-up is now priced from $34,190 plus on-road costs.

That leaves 2.0-litre power on offer only in the significantly more expensive MX-5 GT Roadster ($41,960 plus ORCs) and the three folding hard-top RF models (priced from $39,400 plus ORCs). An automatic transmission continues to be available on all models for an extra $2000.

It’s the second time in six months that Mazda has upped the price of its MX-5 range, but it insists the on-going evolution of the world’s top-selling two-seat sports car will preserve its relevance to an ever-widening audience.

“I strongly believe this model’s ongoing appeal is the result of our unceasing commitment to refining the vehicle over its 29-year history,” said MX-5 program manager and chief designer, Masashi Nakayama.

“With this latest update the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 engine takes another leap forward, something made possible only by Mazda’s hunger for challenge and our wholehearted devotion to the MX-5.”

Specifically, the 2.0-litre engine jumps 17kW and 5Nm to 135kW and 205Nm. Maximum power is now delivered 1000rpm higher in the rev range at 7000rpm, while maximum torque arrives 600rpm lower at 4000rpm.

Redline increases from 6800 to 7500rpm, unlike fuel consumption, which falls 0.1 and 0.2L/100km to 6.9 and 7.2L/100km for six-speed manual and six-speed automatic variants respectively.

The improvements come courtesy of freer flowing intake and exhaust systems, a revised combustion chamber with larger exhaust ports and valves, taller cam profiles, a shorter intake manifold, lighter pistons (-27g) and connecting rods (-41g), a blueprinted crankshaft and a remapped ECU.

The throttle body now has the same diameter as that of Mazda’s 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G engine (+18 per cent). Manual models score a low-inertia, dual-mass flywheel in place of the single-mass unit, while automatic variants get a final drive ratio reduction from 3.454 to 3.583:1.

“We intend to keep refining the car so it can continue to offer customers unique excitement and cement its position as a cultural icon,” Nakayama-san continued.

“This is our fixed and unchanging vision for the MX-5, achieved by continually seeking-out new ways to make it even more thrilling and satisfying to drive.

“It was how we felt when we first developed the vehicle nearly three decades ago and we still feel the same enthusiasm for the MX-5, the world’s favourite roadster,” he concluded.

The Mazda MX-5’s entry-level 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-G also receives a freshen-up, gaining 1kW and 2Nm for a total of 97kW and 152Nm respectively.

Maximum power for the smaller displacement engine continues to be offered at 7000rpm while maximum torque arrives 300rpm earlier than before at 4500rpm. Maximum engine speed is unchanged at 7500rpm.

Changes to the 1.5-litre engine are minor and include common-type intake ports, a newly shaped intake port and lower piston crown height (with step-shaped upper rim), and high-diffusion fuel-injectors and three-stage (direct) injection process.

The automatic variant does not receive the same final drive ratio change as the 2.0-litre engine, Mazda saying the slow-selling model’s “target characteristics have already been achieved”.

Fuel consumption for the 1.5-litre engine is listed at 6.2L/100km for the manual (down 0.1L/100km) and an unchanged 6.4L/100km for the auto.

Other design changes are equally small, but answer owner’s calls for improvement. A tilt and reach adjustable steering column joins the fold, alongside thicker seat recline levers and more rigid inner seat frames.

A two-stage door checker improves open and closing feel while gaps between the detachable cup-holders, which have a more rigid design, reduces “wobble” and improves attachment and removal action.

The exhaust note is also said to be improved, while black metallic-painted 16-inch alloy wheels feature on the 1.5-litre Roadster (previously silver) and 17-inch black-painted alloys are standard on the 2.0-litre RF (previously gun metal grey).

Minor steering and suspension changes from the previous update are carried over, but a new reversing camera provides a sharper image via Mazda’s now-standard MZD Connect infotainment system with 7.0-inch colour display.

Operable between 4 and 80km/h, Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support (low-speed autonomous emergency braking) is featured across the range. Reverse brake support is also included (2-8km/h) on GT variants, as is driver fatigue detection and traffic sign recognition system. The MX-5 scored a five-star ANCAP safety rating when it was last crash tested in 2016.

The MX-5 is now backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, but does not come with roadside assistance (which remains a cost option) or capped-price servicing.

Mazda does, however, advertise the price of its logbook services on its website. The MX-5 requires a visit to the service department every 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first).

Mazda says the consolidation of its MX-5 line-up comes as buyer tastes mature. The entry-grade 1.5-litre models and standard Roadster variants now represent just five per cent of the model mix apiece.

Two-litre variants make-up the other 95 per cent of the range, with Roadster GT convertible models taking a 25 per cent share of the range overall, low-grade RF models seven per cent and RF GT variants a dominant 63 per cent. The split between manual and automatic transmissions favours the self-shifter at 57 per cent.

VFACTS sales figures show Mazda has sold just 586 examples of the MX-5 to date in 2018 — a 44 per cent drop from the same time last year. That’s still better than the MX-5-based Abarth 124 Spider, however, which stands at 105 sales year-to-date.

Now read our first Australian review of the upgraded Mazda MX-5 range.

How much does the 2018 Mazda MX-5 cost?
Roadster 1.5-litre — $34,190
Roadster 1.5-litre auto — $36,190
Roadster GT 2.0-litre — $41,960
Roadster GT 2.0-litre auto — $43,960
RF 2.0-litre — $39,400
RF 2.0-litre auto — $41,400
RF GT 2.0-litre — $45,960
RF GT 2.0-litre auto — $47,960
RF GT 2.0-litre Black Roof — $46,960
RF GT 2.0-litre Black Roof auto — $48,960
* All prices exclude on-road costs