The Mazda MX-5 (NA) (sold in Japan as the and in North America as the Mazda MX-5 Miata) is the first generation of the Mazda MX-5, manufactured from 1989 to 1997. Inspired by the post-war era British sports cars, the MX-5 rejuvenated interest in roadsters after the demise of cars such as the MG B, Triumph Spitfire, and Fiat 124 Spider.
Since its debut, the MX-5 has won numerous automotive awards and has become the world's best selling sports car.
Overview The MX-5 was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on February 10, 1989, with a price tag of . The MX-5, with production code NA, was made available for delivery to buyers worldwide in the following dates: May 1989 (as a 1990 model) in the US and Canada; September 1, 1989 in Japan; and 1990 in Europe. An optional hardtop was made available at the same time, in sheet moulding compound (SMC). Demand initially outstripped production, fueled by enthusiastic press reviews.
In Japan, the car was not badged as a Mazda, as the company was in the process of launching different marques for deluxe models, similar to Nissan's Infiniti, Honda's Acura and Toyota's Lexus. Instead, the Mazda MX-5 was sold as the Eunos Roadster, and was joined by the MX-3/AZ-3/Eunos Presso (based on Japanese Mazda dealerships). The exterior dimensions and the engine displacement were also in compliance with Japanese Government compact car regulation.
The NA has a steel unibody with an aluminium hood. Overall dimensions are in length, in width, and in height. Without options, the NA weighs . It has a . Suspension is independent by double wishbones on all four wheels, with anti-roll bars front and rear. Brakes are four-wheel disc, ventilated at the front, and wheels alloy, fitted with 185/60HR14 radial tires. The base model came with stamped steel wheels from the then-current 323/Protege.
The original MX-5, with standard manual transmission, came with a DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, producing at 6,500 rpm, and of torque at 5,500 rpm. The engine employs an electronic fuel injection system using a vane-type air flow meter and an electronic ignition system with a camshaft angle sensor instead of a distributor. This engine, codenamed B6ZE(RS), was specifically designed for the MX-5 and featured a lightened crankshaft, flywheel, and aluminium sump with cooling fins. An MX-5 with the optional automatic transmission had its 1.6L engine tuned to develop peak torque at lower rpm's (4000 rpm instead of 5500) to better mate with the automatic transmission gearing and torque requirements. This tuning resulted in a lower peak power of 78.5 kW (105 bhp) at 6500 rpm.
The standard 5-speed manual transmission derived from that used in the also rear-wheel drive Mazda 929/Luce. The gear-shift was the subject of close attention during development, resulting in as small a gear pattern as possible and with minimal gear-changing effort.Garrett, p. 10 In the American and Japanese markets, a 4-speed automatic transmission was also offered, as well as an optional viscous limited-slip differential on manual transmission cars. To achieve a low introductory price and low weight, the entry model was kept basic. It had steel wheels, no power brakes, steering, or windows, and no stereo or air conditioning. Depending on the market, thee were added as standard equipment in later years.
Mazda reported that the 1990 NA would reach 0- in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of . Car and Driver tested the NA for their September 1989 issue, achieving a 0- time of 9.2 seconds and a top speed of , with hardtop installed. Motor Trend's July 1989 test gave a 0- time of 8.9 seconds. The NA with an automatic transmission reached 97 km/h (60 mph) in 9.9 seconds and had a top speed of 181 km/h (112 mph).
In 1993, 1,500 LE (Limited Edition) cars were produced. This model featured red leather interior, upgraded stereo, Nardi shift knob, Nardi steering wheel, cruise control, limited-slip differential, power windows, power mirrors, power steering, air conditioning, BBS wheels, Bilstein shocks, front and rear spoilers, ABS brakes, stainless sill plates, and Harley style peanut tank door speaker trim. All 1993 LE cars came in black.
For the 1994 model year, the first-generation MX-5 was freshened with the introduction of the more powerful BP-ZE engine, dual airbags placed in a redesigned dashboard, the addition of a Mazda badge on the front fascia in the US and a Torsen limited-slip differential in some markets. The chassis was substantially braced to meet new side-impact standards, most visibly by adding a "track bar" between the seatbelt towers inside the car, but also to the front and rear subframes. 1994 also saw the introduction of the "R" package, a sport-themed package with Bilstein shocks, stiffer sway bars, retuned springs, subtle front and rear underbody spoilers, and a Torsen LSD. Air conditioning was optional, but the "R" package was not available with power steering, leather, or an automatic transmission. It can also be identified by a red Miata badge on the rear instead of the usual black. No body style changes were made, however.
The new engine produced at 6,500 rpm and of torque at 5,500 rpm, which was then increased to at 6,500 rpm and of torque at 5,500 rpm for the 1996 model year. The base weight increased to . Performance was thus improved slightly, because the additional weight was more than offset by the extra power. In some markets such as Europe, the engine continued to be available as a lower-cost option, but was detuned to . This lower-powered model did not receive all the additional chassis bracing of the new . Japanese and U.S. models offered an optional Torsen LSD, which was far more durable than the previous viscous differential.
There were a number of trim levels and special editions available, determined by local Mazda marketing departments. In the US, the base model was offered for US$13,995 at launch and was very basic, with manual windows, steel wheels, and without air conditioning or power steering. The "A Package" offered power steering, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum alloy wheels and cassette stereo. The "B Package" added power windows, along with cruise control and headrest speakers, while the "C Package" included a tan interior and top with leather seats. The "R Package" was for racing, and the annual special editions were formalized as "M Editions". These included all of the luxury options from the "C Package" as well as special paint and, sometimes, special wheels. In the UK, to celebrate Mazda's 24 hours of Le Mans win, Mazda brought out a special edition of the MX-5, with the winner's color scheme (see Mazda 787B) and came equipped with BBR (Brodie Brittain Racing) turbo conversion; the car is one of the most sought after special edition cars of the MX-5s.
The first generation MX-5 was phased out after the 1997 model year (with the exception of 400 limited edition Berkeley models sold only in the UK in 1998 to mark the end of the NA), with the final 1,500 NAs produced for the US market being the "STO" ("Special Touring Option") versions.
Special editions
1991 and 1993 J Limited For the Eunos Roadster's 2nd Anniversary in 1991. This model features a special sunburst yellow body color for Japan market. "J" comes from the French word for yellow, "jaune."
J LIMITED II released in December 1993. Same exterior color as the J LIMITED released two years ago. However, the A-pillars are blacked out and the aluminum wheel design is also different. Both J LIMITED and J LIMITED II, 800 units was produced.
1991 Limited Edition (UK) 250 examples sold from March '91, produced in British Racing Green with tan interior, to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the MX-5 in the UK. These have a numbered brass plaque on the passenger-side padded dashboard and on the front of the Owners Book, and are fitted with colour-matched 15" OZ alloy wheels from MSW (Mazda Sports Workshop) which are often mistaken for BBS, but which are unique to this model. Other features were power steering, central locking, a wooden steering wheel, hand-brake grip and gear knob, and a distinctive analogue clock. The engine is the standard 1.6L.
1991 Special Edition Limited to 3,997 units in the United States / 1,051 in Canada, this edition of the MX-5 NA was offered only in British racing green with tan leather interior and tonneau cover and featured a wooden Nardi shift knob and handbrake lever, stainless steel door sills, air conditioning, CD player, cruise control, and headrest speakers.
1992 Sunburst
A US$250 option for the exclusive Sunburst Yellow color, limited to 1,519 units in the USA / 503 in Canada.
1992 Black Miata Limited to 4,625 units, this edition was offered only in Brilliant Black with tan leather interior - they were also offered with the "C" package, which included a Nardi shift knob and handbrake lever and special 14-inch BBS wheels.
1993 Limited Edition
Limited to 1,505 units in the USA / 300 in Canada, this Limited Edition model was equipped similarly to the 1992 Black Miata, but with red leather interior, sport suspension, front and rear spoilers, rear skirt, air conditioning, headrest speakers and 14-inch BBS wheels.
1993 Energia Electric Vehicle In 1993, Mazda partnered with the Chugoku Electric Power Company to produce an electric prototype called the "Energia Electric Vehicle." The prototype had a top speed of and had a range of . It was also significantly heavier, weighing .
1994 M-Edition Limited to 3,000 units for the US, the M-Edition introduced the Montego Blue Mica exterior color and was equipped similarly to the 1992 Black Miata, but with power windows, power mirrors, a Torsen limited-slip differential and special M-Edition badges.
1994-1997 R-Package While the R-Package was never officially a special edition, only 1841 were produced for the USA. The R-package was sold with the upgraded Torsen rear differential, stiffer springs and sway bars, Bilstein shock absorbers, front air dam, and rear spoiler. There was not any option for power steering, an automatic transmission, or leather seats. Air conditioning was optional.
1995 M-Edition
An upgrade to the 1994 M-Edition in Merlot Mica with adjustable headrests and 15-inch BBS wheels, this M-Edition MX-5 was limited to 3,500 units for the USA.
1995 M Speedster Concept A one-off concept featuring large fog lights and a smaller windshield with the side mirrors mounted on it.
1996 M-Edition The 1996 M-Edition was in Starlight Blue Mica and added an alarm system and used 15-inch Enkei wheels. A total of 3,000 units were manufactured for the USA.
1996 M Coupe Concept Introduced at the 1996 New York International Auto Show, this concept was a fixed hardtop version of the MX-5.
1997 M-Edition The final M-Edition was offered in Marina Green Mica and limited to 3,000 units in the USA.
1997 Speedster Edition For the Canadian market, the Speedster Edition was the same color as the US-market's 1997 M-Edition in Marina Green Mica but had the 1996 M-Edition's Enkei wheels, "Speedster Edition" badging, and a Torsen LSD, but black cloth seats. Limited to 150 units in Canada.
1997 Special Touring Option Advertised by Mazda USA as "Still The One" and limited to 1,500 units, the Special Touring Option (STO) was offered in Twilight Blue Mica and featured the exterior options of the 1996 M-Edition, but lacked the Torsen differential, cruise control, premium stereo, and hardtop (which elicited the other nickname of "Stuff Taken Off").
1997 Monza Edition For the UK market, with only 800 made. Featured green paint, unique 14-inch alloy wheels, "Monza" decals, basic trim and the basic 1.6 L engine.
1998 Berkeley Limited Edition