- In Japan the Miata gets quieter tires and a larger silencer.
- Without these changes, Mazda’s sports car would have failed upcoming exterior noise regulations.
- Japan’s MX-5 gets a new Pure Sport special edition with changes inside and out.
Mazda has made it clear that work on the new Miata is well underway. This is no surprise given the continued success of the popular roadster, even though the ND has been getting there over the years. The fourth generation model has been around for about 12 years, having produced several technical modifications and special editions during its long life cycle.
But in 2026, the company still hasn’t revamped the convertible sports car before its replacement (hopefully) Comes at the end of this decade. The latest changes aren’t necessarily happening because Mazda wants to further update the Miata, but mostly because it needs to make sure the car can be sold in its home market. Japan’s latest external noise regulations are forcing engineers to revisit the ND, fitting it with quieter tires and a larger silencer.
In the case of the Miata with the retractable hardtop, the larger silencer creates packaging constraints that have forced Mazda to reduce the depth of the car’s already small trunk. Additional changes to the intake enable the two-door sports car to comply with external noise requirements. The law went into effect for newly approved models in October 2024, and the requirement will extend to existing models starting next month.
Photo by: Mazda
Without these changes, Mazda would have been unable to sell the car in Japan from July. That’s when Stage 3 vehicle noise regulations, in line with International UN Regulation No. 51 (R51-03), apply to all vehicles. The rules reduce the acceptable dB level to 68–72, with the limit depending on the power-to-mass ratio of the vehicle. For reference, the more comfortable Stage 2 allowed 70-74 dB, while Stage 1 allowed 72-75 dB.
2027 Mazda Miata Pure Sport
On a related note, Japan’s Miata also gets a Pure Sport (PS) special edition with a smaller 1.5-litre engine. It sports a gray fabric roof paired with the new Zinc Green metallic color you’ve probably already seen, along with black 16-inch Raze wheels. Stopping power comes from Brembo brakes with silver calipers, while Bilstein dampers are fitted as standard.
Inside, not much has changed. The PS has suede-like cloth seats and black rings for the engine start/stop button and climate control dial. Elsewhere, the outer rings of the air vents also come in gloss black.
Even after all these years, the Miata’s cabin borders on perfection, as long as you can fit inside. Whatever comes after the ND, let’s hope it doesn’t follow recent Mazdas in supersizing the screen at the expense of physical controls.
6
Source: Mazda
Motor1’s Opinion: Mazda has sold more than 1.26 million Miatas since its NA debut in 1989, and the small, rear-wheel-drive sports car remains virtually in a class of its own. Still, Japan’s new noise standards remind us that even specific models must meet strict rules.
While most of the hurdles automakers face involve meeting strict emissions standards, complying with lower noise limits adds another layer of complexity to engineering a new car or updating an existing model. Thankfully, the MX-5 soldiers on.
