7 Fascinating Technical Facts About The ND Mazda MX-5

1. The 1.5-litre engine was extensively modified for the MX-5

Mazda hasn’t just pinched a couple of ‘SkyActiv’ engines from two of the less sporty cars in its range and dumped them in each version of the ND without any modifications. On the 1.5-litre version, there’s a lighter and more compact air intake and a new exhaust system, revised camshaft timing and a custom steel crankshaft. This bumps the redline up to 7000rpm, and the power from 118bhp to 129bhp.

The 2.0-litre received fewer changes, but has also been given the new air intake and exhaust system, and has been tweaked to boost the low and mid-range torque on offer. Both engines receive a die-cast aluminium head cover that’s supposed to look like the one you’ll find on the original MX-5, which weighs about the same as the plastic monstrosities usually found sitting atop modern engines. Oh, and they sound pretty good too.

2. It's shorter and lower than the mk1 MX-5

There’s no getting away from it, modern cars are obese compared to their ancestors. However, there are exceptions, and one of those is the new MX-5. Not only is it smaller than the outgoing third-gen car, it’s actually 55mm shorter than the original MX-5, and 10mm lower. As you can see here it is much wider than the first-gen - and indeed the outgoing model - but as that brings with it a wider track, this is a dimension increase we don’t mind so much.

3. It has one of the shortest gear shift throws of any modern car

As with previous MX-5s, the gear change is one of the sweetest things about the ND. It’s not just precise and well-weighted, it also offers one of the shortest throws out there as far as new cars go with a 40mm stroke. It’s the slickest change we’ve experienced in a modern car since driving the new Honda Civic Type R, which offers the same stroke length - the same as a Honda NSX-R, as it happens. The MX-5 features a more satisfying change though, as it feels a tad meatier.

The gearbox starts out life as the ‘SkyActiv-MT’ six-speed transmission previously only used in transverse applications. It’s been adapted for use in the MX-5’s longitudinally-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout, with the linkage simplified to reduce sliding resistance.

4. The taller rear deck negates the need for a spoiler

If you look at the ND MX-5 from the rear, you’ll notice its large bumper sits rather high. This means the rear deck can be taller, enhancing downforce without having to dump an ugly spoiler on the boot lid.

5. It's 100kg lighter than the old one thanks to clever weight savings

Yep, a whole 100kg lighter, about the same as a short overweight person. And don’t forget, the NC this car replaces is hardly a fatty. Sure, the ND may be smaller, but that’s not the only way Mazda kept the bulk down. Like its predecessor, the new car was subjected to Mazda’s ‘gram strategy’ - a thought process that sees every component looked at and made lighter if possible. A shorter screw here and there, something made out of steel forged from aluminium instead, a piece of plastic trim made smaller - all modest reductions, but they add up. Including the driver, the 1.5-litre ND has a kerb weight of 1050kg.

Some of the bigger weight reductions on the ND include an 8kg drop for the 2.0-litre engine, 14kg for the 1.5-litre compared to the old 1.8, a gearbox which is 7kg lighter, 12kg shed from the suspension thanks to the front knuckle plus upper and lower arms made from aluminium, and a folding roof that’s 3kg less bulky than before.

6. The new electric power steering has been tweaked to offer increased feedback

In a move that’ll no doubt upset many, the third-gen car’s hydraulic power steering setup has been shirked for an electric setup. But it’s not all bad; Mazda positioned the dual-pinion system closer to the front wheels to improve feedback, and stiffened the area below the steering column. The steering is quicker now, too.

We’d still like a little more feedback, however, and found the steering to be one of the new Miata’s more disappointing aspects. Hopefully a few more tweaks later in the car’s life will give better feel.

7. It's almost half the price of the original MX-5

We’ve already learned that the new MX-5 is shorter than the original, but it’s also interesting to learn it’s considerably cheaper than the first-gen was at launch. Sure, this isn’t really a technical fact, but the fact that all the aforementioned engineering and design thought is possible with such a modest list price is commendable indeed. And how much cheaper are we talking? Well, the 1.5-litre entry-level ND MX-5 will set you back £18,495, whereas the original was £14,249. According to Mazda’s inflation adjustments, that’s the equivalent of £31,687 in today’s money. In other words, the new one is 41 per cent less.

Click here to read our full review of the new MX-5.