√2024 Mazda MX-5: Is this the first prototype?

Spy photographers may have caught the next Mazda MX-5 sports car in testing – under the current car’s body – ahead of its launch expected in 2024.

Spy images of what’s believed to be the next-generation 2024 Mazda MX-5 have emerged, ahead of the car’s international launch expected in 2024.

At first glance, the white MX-5 prototype photographed by Drive’s spy photography partners in Germany appears to be testing a mild exterior facelift, with a camouflage wrap over the front end.

However, it’s a distraction from what this Mazda is really trying to hide: wider rear wheel arches (with body-coloured extensions blended into the bodywork), which could be used to hide wider wheel tracks (the distance across the axles).

While wider wheel arches are not confirmation of an all-new model, they would be an unusual addition so late in the current MX-5’s life, having launched in 2015 – and a wider body is a common trait of a new-generation car.

The prototype is otherwise unchanged from the MX-5 in showrooms today, with a similar wheelbase (2310mm), bodywork and alloy wheel design. Expect this to change when the first test cars in 2024 production bodywork are seen.

The lack of wheelbase changes suggests the new Mazda MX-5 may be a reskin of the current model, rather than a ground-up new model – a strategy taken by the latest crop of sports cars, including the Nissan Z, and Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ twins.

New sheetmetal over an existing floorpan would reduce costs – important as the partnership between Mazda and Fiat for the current ‘ND’ MX-5 will not apply for the new model, as Fiat (and its Abarth performance division) has axed its version of the joint-venture project (the 124 Spider).

However, reports suggest the next MX-5 will introduce some form of hybrid power – likely a mild-hybrid system, which cannot power the wheels alone, but can improve fuel economy and, crucially, doesn’t add much weight.

One option is the 2.0-litre ‘SkyActiv-X’ engine in the Mazda 3 small car and CX-30 SUV, which in those cars develops 132kW/224Nm in Australian-market form, or 140kW/240Nm overseas.

Mazda has also filed patents for a lightweight hybrid system, with three small electric motors, electric all-wheel drive and a small battery pack in conjunction with a traditional four-cylinder engine.

Launch timing for the 2024 Mazda MX-5 – expected to wear the NE or NG codename – is yet to be confirmed, however given how early in the development phase this prototype is, a launch is not expected until 2024.

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