INTRODUCTION: NEW DRIVING MODE, LED LIGHTS AND DESIGN
Mazda’s iconic “World Car Design of the Year”-winning roadster has evolved over the years, yet always remained true to the Jinba Ittai philosophy of creating perfect harmony between driver and car. The MX- 5, a timeless masterpiece – refined by Mazda’s craftsmen over four generations of customer feedback – celebrates its 35th birthday in 2024. With over 1.1 million units sold, the community of MX-5 enthusiasts continues to grow.
With the 2024 MX-51 Mazda further reinforces the Jinba Ittai ethos by introducing DSC-Track, a new Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) mode optimised for circuit driving, and a newly developed Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential (Asymmetric LSD).
DSC-Track prioritises driver safety by implementing over-steer control in hazardous spins that the driver is unable to correct. DSC-Track allows the driver to remain in control until the very last second, only then it will intervene. The Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential (Asymmetric LSD) stabilises vehicle turn-in behaviour. In particular, bolstering the slip-limiting force during deceleration improves stability when braking into a turn, where reduced rear wheel ground load leads to vehicle instability. Optimizing slip limiting force and preload specifically for the MX-5’s engine, suspension, and tyre characteristics results in smoother and more linear turning performance. Turning stability has thus been enhanced to make manoeuvring easier in urban areas, as well as on winding roads and racetracks.
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 features advanced LED headlights that now seamlessly combine with the daytime running lights. Furthermore, the rear lights have undergone subtle revisions, and LEDs are now used also on the turn signals. The exterior changes are complete with a new paint option, “Aero Grey Metallic”, which replaces “Platinum Quartz”, and 17-inch wheel designs.
1 Mazda MX-5 Skyactiv-G 2.0 fuel consumption 6.9 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 171-154 g/km (WLTP combined). Mazda MX-5 Skyactiv-G 1.5 fuel consumption 6.3 l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 142 g/km. Vehicles are homologated in accordance with the type approval procedure WLTP, Regulation (EU) 2017/1151, Regulation (EC) No 715/2007.
2| EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN
New Aero Grey Metallic exterior finish
Updated lights, centre meter, rear-view mirror and more
Visually, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 remains true to its celebrated Kodo design, which captured World Car Design of the Year as well as World Car of the Year in 2016. Indeed, the MX-5 retains an energetic style that blurs the boundaries between exterior and interior while emphasising the two-seater’s perfectly balanced proportions.
The retractable fastback (RF) model brings a special touch of design prowess and comfort. The MX-5 RF’s fully automatic three-piece power hardtop offers the best of both sports car worlds: open-air motoring with the security and comfort of a fixed roof. It’s the fastest hardtop on the market, too, with a cleverly compact mechanism that opens or closes in only 13 seconds, even when moving at speeds of up to 10 km/h.
Inside, the 2024 MX-5 features a larger, 8.8-inch centre display that showcases newly wirelessly connected Apple Car Play® and comes with Android Auto™, which can also be operated by touching the screen. Mobile phones may now also be connected via one of two USB-C sockets.
The driver’s instrument panel behind the steering wheel has been refreshed with a newly shaped pointer, and a font made clearer and easier to read by the adoption of a higher-pigmentation black Japanese lacquer.
The auto-dimming rear-view mirror has also been reshaped in the 2024 Mazda MX-5, Exclusive-line and up. The outer shape of the mirror is now an inverted trapezoid, thus preventing it from reflecting anything other than the rear view. Additionally, the mirror is now frameless, making it blend better into the scenery.
Adding a glamorous but still classic touch: from the Exclusive-line upwards the centre console is covered with synthetic leather.
On the exterior, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 features advanced LED headlights that seamlessly combine with the daytime running lights and enhance visibility. Furthermore, the rear lights have undergone subtle revisions, and LEDs are now used also on the turn signals. Without changing the outer form of the casing, the new model incorporates a concave outer lens in the circular part of the rear combination lamp.
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 is also equipped with newly designed 17-inch alloys that exemplify the car’s light weight and functionality.
The exterior changes are completed with a new paint option of “Aero Grey Metallic”, replacing “Platinum Quartz”. The revised- exterior the colour palette now features seven options: Aero Grey Metallic, the two Takuminuri Colours, Machine Grey and Soul Red Crystal as well as the metallic colour options Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue, Zircon Sand and Jet Black.
3| DRIVING DYNAMICS
· New drive mode for circuit driving: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)-Track (2.0 RF MT only)
· Development: New Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential (Asymmetric LSD) (2.0 RF MT only)
Widely considered the most fun-for-the-money on four wheels, the Mazda MX-5 is exceptionally surefooted in corners. For the 2024 model Mazda has further improved on this asset by adding a newly developed Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential (Asymmetric LSD) and introducing a special drive setting, the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)-Track mode.
Motorsport is one of the most popular ways for Mazda customers to enjoy their MX-5. And Mazda has introduced DSC-Track – a new Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) mode optimised for circuit driving – for the many getting into motorsport for the first time with this compact, agile sports car.
Available for Manual transmission model only, DSC-Track gives the driver maximum control over the vehicle, intervening later than other drive modes. It allows the driver to remain in control until the very last second, only then will it intervene before a hazardous spin that the driver would be unable to correct in time. Hence DSC-Track control technology enhances the Jinba Ittai philosophy of perfect unity between the driver and the vehicle, while assisting the driver in focusing completely on driving.
DSC-Track is perfectly complimented by Mazda’s new Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential (Asymmetric LSD). This stabilises vehicle turn-in behaviour by varying the limiting force of slip on the differential gear in response to vehicle acceleration and deceleration as the rear wheel vertical load changes. The conical clutch LSD now has a camshaft mechanism that is lightweight, compact and highly durable. The cam angle is set differently for the deceleration and acceleration sides, achieving the optimum limit of slip force during both processes. In particular, bolstering the slip-limiting force during deceleration improves stability when braking into a turn, where reduced rear wheel ground load leads to vehicle instability. The new Asymmetric Limited Slip Differential is exclusively mated to the Skyactiv-G 2.0 184 PS engine with manual transmission. Optimising slip limiting force and preload specifically for the MX-5’s engine, suspension, and tyre characteristics results in smoother and more linear turning performance. Turning stability thus has been enhanced to make manoeuvring easier in urban areas, as well as on winding roads and racetracks.
The current fourth generation of Mazda’s brand icon also benefits from structural chassis and body modifications as well as engine advancements to increase both power and fuel efficiency.
The Skyactiv-G 2.0 is responsive across the engine’s range, reacting instantly to throttle input, yet remaining as efficient as ever. The two-litre unit redlines at 7,500 rpm, with a maximum output of 135 kW/184 PS at 7,000 rpm, and peak torque of 205 Nm available at 4,000 rpm. The Skyactiv-G 2.0 MX-5 RF accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 220 km/h. The Skyactiv-G 2.0 is equipped with i-Eloop – a condenser- based brake energy recovery system, and Mazda’s i-stop idle-stop system.
The Skyactiv-G 2.0 four-cylinder engines are mated to a quick-shifting six-speed Skyactiv-MT manual transmission designed exclusively for the MX-5, with its classic front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive layout. The New MX-5 2.0 RF is also available with an automatic transmission.
4| PACKAGING & SAFETY
· Infotainment package with a larger screen and wireless support for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
· Further enhanced safety systems including autonomous braking and more
Like its predecessor, the 2024 Mazda MX-5 is fitted, as standard, with LED headlights with automatic headlamp levelling, electrically adjustable door mirrors and an automatic climate control system.
The Mazda Connect infotainment system now features an enlarged 8.8-inch colour touchscreen, rotary center commander and nine-speaker Bose® sound system. Also, standard is smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. New for 2024, Apple CarPlay® could connect wirelessly and allow for apps installed on a smartphone to be displayed and utilised safely and conveniently on the Mazda Connect centre display.
Mazda is dedicated to keeping drivers safe. The 2024 Mazda MX-5 is equipped with numerous driver assistance and safety features, not only on the racetrack but also for everyday driving. On both A/T and M/T models have Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), helping keep the car’s position in its lane. In addition, an Adaptive LED headlights (ALH) with automatic range adjustment and variable light modes ensure optimal illumination of the road and road signs at all times.
Further active safety systems include a parking aid (RCTA), which warns of intersecting traffic when reversing, a vehicle exit warning which notifies occupants of traffic when disembarking and the Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (ABSM) which also monitors the blind spots. A secondary collision reduction system is introduced on the 2024 MX-5, bringing the car to a stand-still after a collision is detected in order to reduce secondary collision damage.
Emergency Brake Assist (Advanced SBS – Advanced Smart Brake Support) detects vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians in front of the car and triggers automatic braking if necessary, while Emergency Brake Assist for reversing direction of Smart Break Support – Reverses (SBS-R) is added up with new Smart Brake Support Rear Crossing (SBS-RC) supports collision avoidance with vehicles approaching from the left, right or rear when the MX-5 is reversing. Further driver assistance is provided by Driver Attention Alert (DAA) and newly equipped a rear-view camera. The rear-view camera benefits from an improvement in image quality and resolution.
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