In 2014, Mazda introduced the fourth-generation ND Miata with a clear mission to defy prevailing trends. At a time when sports cars were growing larger and more complex, the ND Miata arrived smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and only marginally bigger than the original 1989 model. By reviving the purity of the classic roadster formula, it set a new benchmark for convertible coupes and, a decade later, still stands unmatched in delivering unfiltered driving enjoyment.
Return to Simplicity and Playful Spirit
The concept for the ND Miata emerged from a frank reassessment of the NC generation’s shortcomings. Although the NC shared its platform with the RX-8, enhancing rigidity and safety, it sacrificed the lightweight agility that defined the first Miata. Lead engineer Nobuhiro Yamamoto challenged his team with two questions: “What car do we truly want? And how should it feel?” Their answer crystallized into the mantra “Joy of the Moment, Joy of Life,” guiding every design choice toward recapturing the straightforward thrill of the 1989 original while preserving modern safety and efficiency.
Design Harmony: Japan Meets America
Mazda’s studios in Hiroshima and Yokohama embraced the Jinba-Ittai philosophy, treating driver and car as a single entity by avoiding any feature that would add unnecessary bulk. Meanwhile, the North American design team in California advocated for a more muscular stance to resonate with U.S. performance enthusiasts. The resulting compromise slightly widened the wheel arches and sharpened body lines, yielding an agile profile that still reflects the roadster’s lightweight DNA.
Precision in Weight Reduction
To keep curb weight under one ton, engineers applied what they called the “gram strategy.” Every component underwent scrutiny for excess mass: the windshield base gained unseen perforations, exhaust tips lost their decorative covers in favor of polished steel, battery housings shrank, and wheel nuts dropped to four per wheel. Even the seat adjust lever transformed from a bulky bar into a slender handle, intuitive enough for drivers to master instantly. These meticulous efforts coalesced into a vehicle renowned for its remarkable lightness and structural integrity.
Engine Dynamics and Driving Performance
Market demands split the team between a 1.5-liter engine for pure agility and a 2.0-liter for high-speed stability. Ultimately, Mazda offered both: 155 hp in the original ND and 181 hp with a 7,500 rpm redline in the 2019 ND2 update. This dual-engine strategy married the car’s compact form to sufficient power for spirited highway runs without compromising its amiability around town.
Comfort and Control on Rough Roads
Rather than stiffen the suspension for racetrack precision, Mazda tuned the ND Miata for real world roads. A supple chassis soaks up bumps while maintaining tire contact on uneven surfaces. The addition of Kinematic Posture Control, applying slight brake force to an inside rear wheel during cornering, and an asymmetric limited slip differential on ND3 models further enhances stability, delivering a supple yet responsive ride.
Continuing the Journey Toward the Next Generation
Since its global debut in September 2014, the ND Miata has sold over 270,000 units by mid 2024, earning acclaim for its timeless design and driver focused philosophy. As fans anticipate an electrified successor, Mazda remains committed to the human centric values that forged the ND’s legacy: crafting pure, unadulterated driving pleasure.
Adrian is an Editor. Psychology graduate with over 4 years in the automotive industry, 3 in front of the camera. Occasionally seen at his family owned tyre shop. He will only buy cars that pass the big bottle test.
