Wheeling in the years: Mazda MX-5 generations
We take a look back at the world’s favourite roadster and its four generations Down Under1989 Mazda MX-5 (NA series)
Launched at the 1989 Chicago motor show, the first MX-5 drew much of its influence from classic European convertibles of the 1960s.
Like those models it was designed as a basic, lightweight (940kg) and affordable roadster, the original MX-5 drawing motivation from an 85kW/130Nm 1.6-litre engine.
With a 0-100km/h time of 8.8sec, the NA offered a five-speed manual transmission as standard and included such features as a folding soft-top, power windows, AM/FM radio cassette player and 14-inch alloy wheels.
An update in 1994 introduced a 1.8-litre engine to the MX-5, as well as a CD player, power antenna, (hydraulic) power steering and a four-speed automatic transmission.
The original soft-top-only MX-5 measured 3955mm long, 1675mm wide, 1235mm high and rode on a 2265mm wheelbase.
Price when new: $29,990 (plus on-road costs)
Number sold locally: 6123
1998 Mazda MX-5 (NB series)
The arrival of the second-generation MX-5 in 1998 saw the 106kW/165Nm 1.8-litre engine offered variable valve timing, upping output to 113kW/181Nm in 1999.
Australia also received the limited-edition and the now much sought-after turbocharged SP variant in 2002, the latter making an impressive 157kW/280Nm.
The NB offered equipment including a six-speed manual transmission, anti-lock brakes and 15-inch alloy wheels as standard, while the soft-top added a glass rear window with rear demister.
A bolt-on hard top, automatic transmission and 16-inch alloys were offered optionally.
Larger and heavier (1050kg) than the original, the MKII MX-5 now measured 3975mm long, 1680mm wide, 1225mm high and had a wheelbase of 2265mm.
Price when new: $39,800 (plus ORCs)
Number sold locally: 5037
2005 Mazda MX-5 (NC series)
Essentially all new from the ground up, the third-generation MX-5 offered more power, more bulk (1167kg) and more standard equipment when it landed in 2005.
Outputs rose to 118kW/188Nm while six-speed manual variants scored a limited-slip differential. The range now adopted equipment that included 17-inch alloy wheels and cruise control, plus a folding hard-top model at the top of the model range.
The 25th Anniversary model also introduced Mazda’s new hero colour, Soul Red, for the first time.
The longest-serving series to date (it was on sale for 10 years!), the NC was also the largest, growing to 4020mm long, 1720mm wide and 1255mm high. It rode on a 2330mm wheelbase.
Price when new: $41,860 (plus ORCs)
Number sold locally: 5761
2015 Mazda MX-5 (ND series)
Mazda went back to its roots when it launched the fourth-generation MX-5 in 2015.
Drawing on all that made the original so good, the ND is light (1009kg), lithe, nimble and affordable, offering a choice of engines in the standard range for the first time.
Offered with SKYACTIV technology, the MX-5 now comes with a smaller 96kW/150Nm 1.5-litre or a larger 118kW/200Nm 2.0-litre engine, both with the choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
The two-grade line-up also adopts electrically-assisted steering, Mazda’s new (optional) MZD Connect infotainment array and a lightweight manually-operable soft-top. A retractable hard top dubbed RF will join the range next year.
The latest MX-5 measures 3915mm long, 1735mm wide, 1225mm tall and measures 2310mm between the axles.
It was joined locally this year by the Abarth 124 Spider, effectively a rebodied version sold by Fiat featuring a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine making up to 125kW/250Nm.
More than a million MX-5s have been sold globally since its debut in 1989, making it the world's top-selling two-seat sports car.
Price when new: $31,990 (plus ORCs)
Number sold locally: 2197 (to September 2016)
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