The Mazda MX-5 (NC) is the third generation of the Mazda MX-5 manufactured from 2005 to 2015. At its introduction in 2005, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award and made Car and Drivers 10Best list from 2006 to 2013.
The NC is the first MX-5 generation to offer a retractable hardtop variant, with its roof able to fold or deploy in 12 seconds without reducing trunk space.
2005—2008 (NC1)
Yasushi Nakamuta designed the exterior of the NC, reusing no components of the NB, except for the fender-mounted turn signal lights on non-U.S. models, and rear differential internals. The chief designer of this model generation was Moray Callum. The 2003 Mazda Ibuki concept served as a preview of the new model. The suspension changed from a four-wheel double wishbone setup to a front wishbone/rear multilink setup, shared with the Mazda RX-8. NC models had traction control and stability control. According to Car and Driver, the NC has a skidpad number of 0.90g.
For the U.S., the engine was the 16-valve, MZR LF-VE DOHC I4, producing and of torque coupled to either a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual transmission, or with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission. A limited-slip differential was available with the 6-speed manual option. In Australia, the MZR was offered, rated at and of torque and the 6-speed manual transmission and LSD are standard. In Europe, two engines were offered: the MZR LF-VE rated at and of torque, coupled to the 6-speed manual transmission; and a new MZR L8-VE, rated at and , coupled to the 5-speed manual transmission.
A 6-speed automatic transmission, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, was optional. A test by Car and Driver magazine revealed a 0- time of 6.5 s for the U.S.-spec NC. Manufacturer figures for the European-spec model are: 0- in 9.4 s for the 1.8 and 7.9 s for the 2.0. As of this generation, the car no longer complies with Japanese law's maximum exterior width dimension for the mid-size vehicle tax class, making Japanese buyers liable for additional costs for ownership.
Power Retractable Hard Top
In July 2006, Mazda debuted a Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) version of the NC with a two-piece folding hardtop, named MX-5 Roadster Coupé in Europe, Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top in Japan, and MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top in the U.S. and Canada. Designed by Webasto and constructed of polycarbonate, the top requires 12 seconds to raise or lower, and the first models were delivered to customers in late August 2006. The hardtop adds to the weight of a comparably equipped soft-top, without diminishing trunk space when retracted. The PRHT omits one of the soft-top's two storage compartments behind the seats to accommodate the folding roof mechanism and has a steel trunk lid instead of the soft-top's aluminum. Performance times are slightly affected with the weight increase, with the 0- time increased to 9.6 s for the 1.8 and 8.2 seconds for the 2.0. Thanks to better aerodynamics, though, top speed is increased from 196 km/h (121.8 mph) to 200 km/h (124.3 mph) for the smaller-engined model and from to for the 2.0. These figures are for the European-spec models. For all PRHT models, the suspension was slightly modified to handle the additional weight, with slightly stiffer springs.
Special editions (2005—2008) Troy Lee Designs MX-5 (2005)
Introduced at the 2005 SEMA Show, the Troy Lee Designs MX-5 NC was a one-off model that had a custom silver/black paint scheme by L&G Enterprises, a body kit with rear deck cover designed by Keith Dean, 18-inch Volk Racing wheels, Wilwood brakes, and a custom black/red leather interior trim by Stitchcraft.
3rd Generation Limited (2006)
Making its debut at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, the 3rd Generation Limited was a launch edition of the MX-5 NC which had added chrome accents, stainless steel scuff plates, and special 17-inch wheels. Velocity Red was an exclusive color to this edition. A limited run of 3,500 were built worldwide (300 in the UK, 750 in the U.S., 150 in Canada), delivered in advance of standard models.
MS-R Package (2007) The MS-R (Motor Sport-Racing) package was designed specifically to enhance the on-track performance of the MX-5 in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Showroom Stock B (SSB) road racing and C-Stock (CS) autocrossing. The MS-R package is based on the SV model MX-5, which already includes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder MZR engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes. The package adds a limited-slip differential, front shock-tower brace, underbody chassis bracing, 17-inch alloy wheels, Koni shock absorbers, racing-specific front and rear sway bars, higher-rate springs to provide a lower ride height and a rear lip spoiler.
Roadster Kurenai Concept (2007) Introduced at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Kurenai Concept was a PRHT model in Radiant Ebony color with chrome accents, custom 17-inch alloy wheels, and a red leather and Alcantara interior.
2008 Special Edition For 2008, Mazda released a Special Edition MX-5 with an Icy Blue exterior and exclusive Dark Saddle Brown folding top, and matching leather with blue stitching on the steering wheel, seats, and hand brake lever. The Special Edition also had a silver-accented shift knob, dark-silver finished instrument panel with chrome accents, special 17-inch (430 mm) alloy wheels, stainless steel MX-5 scuff plates, and chrome front headlight bezels, as well as grille and fog lamp surrounds. The 2008 Special Edition was limited to 105 PRHT-equipped units in Canada and 750 soft-top units in the U.S.
MX-5 Niseko (2008)
Named after the Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu, the Europe-exclusive MX-5 Niseko was offered in either the 1.8-liter soft-top or 2.0-liter PRHT, with the 5-speed manual being the only available transmission. Color choices consisted of Icy Blue and Sunlight Silver; German units were available in five colors. The interior had Niseko badges on the front fenders, color-coded roll bar trim, Niseko branded floor mats, and similar add-ons used in the 2008 Special Edition model. The MX-5 Niseko was limited to 800 units in the UK; 240 for the soft-top and 560 for the PRHT.
2009 facelift (NC2)
The MX-5 facelift was presented at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and Science Museum in London, and later at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.
The Japanese model went on sale on December 9, 2008, at Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers.
Revisions included a restyled front incorporating elements from Mazda's newer models like the larger grille and new head and fog lights. Further restyled elements include the side skirts, rear bumper and the tail lights. The soft-top Touring and Grand Touring models had a mesh grille bordered by a chrome frame. The hardtop PRHT Roadster Coupe had a mesh grille bordered by a chrome frame and chrome elements inside the headlamps and outer door handles.
The instrument panel had darker features and redesigned graphics for the gauges. To create more leg space in the cabin, a protrusion from the door pockets was eliminated.
The I4 engine was rated at 7,000 rpm and at 5,000 rpm for the 5-speed manual transmission, at 6,700 rpm with the fuel cut-off at 7,200 rpm and at 5,000 rpm for the automatic transmission. Engine redline was raised by 500 rpm to 7,200 rpm in manual model and fuel cut at 7,500 rpm. The suspension and gearbox have been fine-tuned; with the latter offering smoother shifts and an automatic transmission will be introduced in Europe for the first time.
Special editions (2009—2012) MX-5 Superlight version (2009)
The MX-5 Superlight is a concept car commemorating the 20th anniversary of MX-5 production, designed at Mazda's studio in Frankfurt, Germany. It is made of lightweight materials to improve performance, handling, fuel economy and emissions and does not include a windshield. It was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The vehicle is powered by a MZR 1.8-liter petrol engine rated at at 6,500 rpm and torque at 4,500 rpm. It has a 5-speed manual transmission, double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, Bilstein monotube dampers, 205/45R17 tires, ventilated front brake discs and solid rear brake discs. The "Superlight" weighs in at , making it heavier than the original NA 1.8 series MX-5.
Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary (2009) The Roadster 20th Anniversary models are based on the Roadster RS soft-top model with a six-speed manual transmission, and the VS Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) model with a six-speed automatic transmission, for the Japanese market, commemorating 20 years of Mazda Roadster. Special equipment included Recaro bucket sport seats (black Alcantara and red leather), exclusive '20th Anniversary' badges on each side fender, clear front fog lights and bezels (black and silver on soft-top and PRHT models respectively), 205/45R17 84W tires with 17-inch aluminum wheels (standard equipment on the soft-top base model), cowl connecting type front strut tower bar (standard equipment on the soft-top base model), fabric soft-top with glass rear window (soft-top model only), heated seats with five temperature settings (standard equipment on the PRHT base model) and soft padding with synthetic leather on the door armrests and center console lid (standard equipment on the PRHT base model).
MX-5 20th Anniversary Edition (2010) The 20th Anniversary Model is a limited version of the MX-5 soft-top with a MZR 1.8L engine with only 2,000 produced. It was built for the European market to commemorate 20 years of MX-5 production. It includes a special exterior styling package with a chrome grille, door handles and headlight fascia, silver-look fog lamp frames, unique 17-inch alloy wheels and 20th Anniversary logos and a strut tower bar. Available body colors include True Red, Crystal White Pearl and, specific for this edition, a new Aurora Blue (with matching painted decorative elements in the interior).
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
The UK model covered 32% of the Anniversary model production (around 600 units), which was based on the soft-top 1.8 SE. It included 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with a unique silver finish, front fog lights, chrome trims around the grille, headlamps and fog lights, body-colored roll bars and a supporting strut brace. Inside, the stainless steel scuff plate has a unique '20th Anniversary' logo and limited edition number, premium '20th Anniversary' branded floor mats, a body-colored front dashboard, aluminum pedal set, and manual air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake lever; MP3-compatible Radio/CD audio system with six speakers, steering wheel controls and an auxiliary input jack for MP3 and iPod connection. Available body colors include red, white and blue. True Red, Crystal White Pearlescent, Aurora Blue Mica body colors were £395 options.
MX-5 Miyako (2010)