Mazda MX-5 production for Australia underway

Mazda Australia has already taken about 16,000 “registrations of interest” on the fourth-generation MX-5, which has understandably been the subject of a long-running promotional campaign.

Mazda has in many ways stripped back this iteration and returned the MX-5 to its classic ‘NA’ roots. This version is the shortest ever - it's only 3915mm long, shorter than a Mazda 2 — and weighs 1009kg, which is 91kg lighter than the outgoing NC.

In base specification, equipped with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a six-speed manual transmission – the major areas of weight reduction include the engine (-17kg), transmission (-7kg), differential (-10kg), suspension (-13kg) and the white body (-20kg).

Mazda Australia is yet to confirm the weight of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder variant, which will sit at the top of the local range. US data rates the smaller engine at 96kW and 150Nm and the larger unit at 116kW and 200Nm. Both will be available with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Pricing is set to start at about $35,000 plus on-road costs for the entry 1.5-litre manual variant and range up to roughly $50,000 for the 2.0-litre auto. This entry price is thousands cheaper than the overpriced NC.

“Confirmation that Australian production has kicked off today is great news for our national dealer network and all of us at Mazda Australia,” Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders said.

“We have 16,000 registrations of interest for this fourth generation of the world’s top-selling roadster. 

“The fact that this level of interest has been generated in just a few weeks since commencing our pre-launch communications shows the level of passion and excitement that the all-new MX-5 generates.”

Read all about the new MX-5 on our dedicated showroom page here.