ALREADY ONE OF THE SHARPEST handling cars on the market, Mazda’s appealing two-seater sharpens its cornering characteristics even further with new suspension technology headlining a Mazda MX-5 update for 2022.
Along with safety upgrades, new trim and paint options, Mazda MX-5 gets newly developed Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) technology.
Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi, said the changes strengthen appeal for drivers and deliver on Mazda’s strategy for continual improvement.
“This update maximises the MX-5’s innate potential in a wider range of driving scenarios than ever before, enhancing the sense of Jinba-ittai that it’s so well known for,” said Mr Bhindi.
Unique to Mazda MX-5 and applied to all grades, KPC uses the MX-5’s suspension structure to provide a more integrated and stable turning posture at high speed, giving a greater sense of Jinba-ittai, without adding even a single gram to the weight of the vehicle.
The MX-5’s rear suspension is designed to generate an “anti-lift” force that pulls the vehicle’s body down when the brakes are applied. KPC works by applying a slight brake to the inner rear wheel when cornering under conditions with high G-force, thereby suppressing roll and pulling the vehicle down to stabilise posture.
KPC can determine the turning conditions in real time from the difference in speed between the left and right rear wheels, and increases its activity linearly in response to this to produce an appropriate posture stabilisation effect. This means there is no change to everyday driving situations, but the harder the drive becomes, the more the MX-5 sharpens its tail-end senses and cleverly adjusts its own turning posture.
With customer demand for the more powerful 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G powertrain surging since its October 2018 update, the 1.5-litre Roadster will be resigned. The 2018 upgrade gave the 2.0-litre the same free-revving and lively characteristics that enamoured drivers with the 1.5-litre.
The 2.0-litre Roadster will become the new entry grade, setting a new standard for base safety in the model line to add Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Rear Parking Sensors, Smart City Brake Support-Rear (SCBS-R), Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror and LED daytime running lamps.
Platinum Quartz Metallic will be newly offered on Mazda MX-5, and a vivid new Terracotta Nappa leather is available for the interior.
Pricing
| Body | Transmission | |
| Roadster | Manual | $37,690 |
| Roadster | Automatic | $39,690 |
| Roadster GT | Manual | $44,320 |
| Roadster GT | Automatic | $46,320 |
| Roadster GT RS | Manual | $47,320 |
| RF | Manual | $42,000 |
| RF | Automatic | $44,000 |
| RF GT | Manual | $48,400 |
| RF GT RS | Manual | $51,400 |
| RF GT | Automatic | $50,400 |
| RF GT Black roof | Manual | $49,420 |
| RF GT Black roof | Automatic | $51,420 |
All plus on road costs
Available exterior paint finishes:
- Platinum Quartz metallic (New: no cost option)
- Polymetal Grey metallic ($495)
- Machine Grey metallic ($495)
- Soul Red Crystal metallic ($495)
- Deep Crystal Blue Mica (no cost option)
- Jet Black Mica (no cost option)
- Snowflake White Pearl Mica (no cost option)
Available upholsteries:
- Black Cloth with black stitching (Roadster)
- Black cloth with white stitching (RF)
- Black leather (Roadster GT, Roadster GT RS. RF GT, RF GT RS)
- Pure White leather (RF GT)
- Terracotta leather (New: RF GT)
Warranty and roadside assist
All Mazda models feature a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as well as five years’ premium roadside assistance.