2018 Mazda MX-5 gets design, performance and functional updates

The fourth generation of the world’s best-selling two-seat sports car, the Mazda MX-5, was launched to the global market two years ago as the 2016 Mazda MX-5 (ND). But this early in its life cycle, the convertible sports car also known as the Miata is already getting a number of updates, as announced by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).

The 2018 Mazda Miata will still be available in three trim levels: the entry-level MX-5 Sport, the hardcore MX-5 Club and the most sophisticated of the trio, the MX-5 Grand Touring. For the 2018 model year, the three trim levels will boast of a number of design, performance and functional updates.

Design updates for the 2018 Mazda MX-5 include the availability of a new Dark Cherry and a Black soft top. Likewise, Mazda is adding new color finishes for the exterior palette of the new 2018 MX-5, such as Eternal Blue Mica, Snowflake White Peal Mica and Soul Red Crystal. Mazda MX-5 customers may also avail of the Machine Gray Metallic finish, which was previously exclusive available on MX-5 RF retractable fastback models. Inside, further MX-5 RF Launch Edition-exclusive features are now available for the MX-5 Grand Touring models, like an Auburn-colored interior and Nappa leather seating surfaces.

Performance updates, meanwhile, include the retuning of the rear suspension and power steering of the 2018 MX-5, allowing for a steadier ride, greater degrees of handling and reduced levels of unwanted cabin noise. All 2018 MX-5 models bound for the United States will be powered by 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine that sends 155 horsepower of output to the rear wheels through either a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual gearbox (standard) or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters (optional).

On the other hand, functional updates differ for each of the three MX-5 trims, although Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry -- previously optional on manual models -- is now standard on all models. For instance, the 2018 MX-5 Sport now features the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a seven-inch full-color touchscreen display and multi-function Commander, as well as HD Radio connectivity. The MX-5 Sport also comes with cloth bucket seats, leather-wrapped shift knob and handbrake, dual cupholders and a USB port as well as Bluetooth phone pairing and audio streaming. The new MX-5 Sport also features headlights and tail lights employing light emitting diode (LED) units.

Meanwhile, the 2018 MX-5 Club is provided with heated cloth seats with red stitching, a Bose nine-speaker Premium audio system with speakers on the headrests of the driver and passenger, as well as two USB ports. Also standard on the MX-5 Club are 17-inch dark gunmetal aluminum alloy wheels, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Bilstein shocks, a limited-slip differential and a shock tower brace are featured on manual MX-5 Club models. The 2018 MX-5 Club could optionally be availed with the Brembo/BBS Package that includes heated, black leather-trimmed seats, a rear bumper skirt and aerodynamic side still extensions as well as forged 17-inch BBS wheels and front Brembo brakes. Also available is the new Brembo/BBS RECARO Package that includes all elements in the Brembo/BBS Package but feature heated, RECARO sport seats.

As for the 2018 MX-5 Grand Touring, this version features a number of standard creature-comfort elements like heated, leather-trimmed seats, automatic climate control, additional sound absorption material in the cloth headliner as well as rain-sensing windshield wipers. Also included as standard are automatic on/off headlights, High Beam Control with Adaptive Front-lighting System, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Lane Departure Warning and navigation.

Mazda will commence sales of the 2018 MX-5 at the end of this month, with nationwide availability expected in January 2018. The new Mazda MX-5 will have an entry-level base price of $25,295 (standard manual MX-5 Sport). The starting prices for the standard manual MX-5 Club and Grand Touring models are $29,155 and $30,195, respectively. Prices exclude $890 destination. The Club Brembo/BBS Package and Club Brembo/BBS Recaro Package are priced at $3,770 and $4,470, respectively.

PRESS RELEASE

MAZDA’S HOLIDAY TREAT: 2018 MX-5 MIATA WITH NEW DARK CHERRY SOFT TOP OPTION

In the spirit of the holiday season, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced design, functional and performance updates to the 2018 Mazda MX-5 soft top models, furthering MX-5’s mission to provide one of the best-driving cars in the world regardless of price point.

For 2018, customers will have the option to choose between a new Dark Cherry or Black soft top. Additionally, an Auburn-colored interior and Nappa leather seating surfaces are available in MX-5 Grand Touring models, which was previously only offered in the MX-5 RF Launch Edition.

While MX-5 is already known for its handling prowess, the soft top’s rear suspension and power steering have been retuned to provide an even more surefooted ride. These improvements also help suppress unwanted cabin noise.

As in the past, there’s an MX-5 for every kind of customer with three trim levels available. The entry-level MX-5 Sport represents the purest distillation of the MX-5 formula, while MX-5 Club is harder-edged, and MX-5 Grand Touring represents the most sophisticated option.

For 2018, MX-5 Sport adds a newly standard MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system with 7-inch full-color touchscreen display, multi-function Commander and HD Radio connectivity. Additional features in the MX-5 Sport include LED headlights and tail lights, cloth bucket seats, leather-wrapped shift knob and handbrake, Bluetooth phone pairing and audio streaming, dual cupholders and one USB port to interface with the audio system. Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry is also newly standard on all models, as it was previously an option on manual-transmission-equipped models.

MX-5 Club introduces newly heated cloth seats with red stitching, and it also comes standard with 17-inch dark gunmetal aluminum alloy wheels, a BOSE® 9-speaker Premium audio system, including driver and passenger headrest speakers. MX-5 Club’s upgrades over MX-5 Sport include two USB ports and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Models equipped with the six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission feature Bilstein shocks, a limited-slip differential and a shock tower brace.

Available for MX-5 Club models is the Brembo/BBS Package, which now includes heated, black leather-trimmed seats, replacing the standard cloth seats. The features aerodynamic side still extensions, a rear bumper skirt, forged 17-inch BBS wheels and front Brembo brakes that provide greater heat tolerances in heavy braking. The new model year also ushers in the new Brembo/BBS RECARO Package that builds on the Brembo/BBS Package and substitutes the leather-trimmed seats for heated, RECARO sport seats.

MX-5 Grand Touring comes standard with heated, leather-trimmed seats, automatic climate control, automatic on/off headlights, High Beam Control with Adaptive Front-lighting System, Lane Departure Warning, auto-dimming rearview mirror, navigation, rain-sensing windshield wipers and additional sound absorption material in its cloth headliner, among a much longer list of creature-comfort features.

In addition to the Dark Cherry soft top and Auburn Nappa leather interior options, the 2018 MX-5 offers the newly available paint colors Eternal Blue Mica, Snowflake White Peal Mica and Soul Red Crystal. Machine Gray Metallic, which was previously only available on MX-5 RF retractable fastback models, also joins the color palette. All MX-5 models sold in the U.S. come with a quick-revving, 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine that delivers 155 horsepower. Power is routed to the rear wheels via a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission or an available six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

The 2018 MX-5 soft top begins arriving at dealerships at the end of December and will be available nationwide in January. Pricing and packaging information for the 2018 Mazda MX-5 RF will be announced at a later date.