One year. That’s how long the owner waited for his Snowflake White Mazda MX-5 RF. The on-going global chip shortage and supply chain disruptions meant he pretty much went through the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. He was, admittedly, close to throwing in the towel until he got a call that his roadster had arrived.

Part of their thrust to deepen the bond between car and driver, fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Program Director and MX-5 Ambassador Nobuhiro Yamamoto flew into Manila to personally present the much-acclaimed MX-5 NA Restoration Service as well as a piece of great news.

With over 2,500 examples running across various circuits globally, the Mazda MX-5 is the most raced car in the world. With that in mind, it just makes sense to come up with a track-focused variant. And in the case of Mazda Australia, it also got a Porsche-like model name too. Meet the 2021 Mazda MX-5 GT RS.

Who isn’t a fan of the Mazda MX-5 RF? We know we are. So it was a rare treat for us to be able to meet, greet, and sit down with Mr. Masahashi Nakayama, the former Chief Designer of the MX-5 ND and currently MX-5 Program Head, right here in Manila. We admit – we were tongue-tied and starstruck, simply from being able to shake the hand of the man who designed such an extraordinary vehicle. However, it was more interesting to listen to the insights behind the design and how Mazda stayed true to the philosophy of jinba-ittai in its quest for the perfect sports car.

Twenty years ago, the first MX-5 roadster hit the streets and grew an incredible fan base. The Miata was the epitome of jinba-ittai – without even starting the engine, the connection it evoked between the driver and the car can be felt immediately. The cocoon-like interior and elegantly curved bucket seat is snug and comfortable, with the wheel and controls positioned within ergonomic angles. What is often ignored, though, is the fact that these unique details extend to the passenger, as well. As a companion, you are treated to almost the same experience, sans the driving.

The MX-5 RF is the version of the bestselling roadster that features a retractable hardtop and fastback styling. Hence, “RF.” But what exactly inspired Mazda to design a hardtop when soft tops are most iconic for convertible sports cars, even until today? According to Nakayama-san, it was a requirement that came with the times.


Over the years, the following for the MX-5 grew. But as with any product, the consumer base plateaued, especially with the evolution of automotive standards. Security is one of them. The answer to this challenge is the RF – a more protective targa hardtop, but with a 2-way retractable mechanism that cleanly tucks away to maintain overall weight balance and keep the well-loved top-down Miata design uncompromised. Interestingly enough, the design of the MX-5 RF was also improved. Its center of gravity was adjusted to be right where the driver is seated, resulting in equal distance between the driver to the front and back wheels. This keeps the driver secure and in control at all times.

We’re not surprised. As Mazda Philippines CEO, Steven Tan quipped, “The goal is to create a more perfect car with every generation.” More perfect, but consistent in its foundation of making the car feel like a natural extension of the driver’s body.

Following this train of thought, the MX-5 RF is already the fourth generation of the Miata line and has addressed challenges without sacrificing design. We couldn’t help but wonder – what’s next for the iconic Japanese roadster, given the demands in global automotive safety standards and the rising popularity of SUVs? The answer from Nakayama-san was simple and engaging.


The MX-5 was built on three principles that has been consistent through the years – first, its short-wheel base, which makes the sports car light and easy to maneuver on city streets, yet stable enough for that coveted burst of speed. Second, the MX-5 features a lightweight structure, regardless of whether it has a soft top or a hardtop installed as roofing. And third, it maintains enough trunk space for the carry-on of two people (because, of course, a roadster is meant for a sweet ride out of town). These three principles allowed Mazda to deliver the expectations of Miata fans through the ages, without compromising function and practicality.

And so Nakayama-san threw the question back. What do we think should be next? How else can the Roadster be improved? Remember – what made the Miata one of the most iconic, coveted, fun-driving sports car for decades, is its foundation of delivering a perfect unity between man and machine, and in evoking a sense of awe with every drive. In this regard, it makes sense that it is only with the insight of a new generation of customers that Mazda can create an even more perfect Roadster. And it is also this openness to engage that reassures us MX-5 fans that the well-loved convertible is here to stay and it can only get better.

Words and Photos by Gen Tiu.

Serendipitous circumstances would mean that it’s only now that we get to sample the Mazda MX-5 in its purest form: the one equipped with a manual transmission. While some may say that the era of driving with three pedals is almost over, Mazda begs to differ. As great as the new “ND” is with the 6-speed automatic, it becomes alive when equipped with a manual. Spending a week driving around in this Snowflake White MX-5 MT, there are 7 random thoughts that popped into our heads.

From Hiroshima cork producer to global car manufacturer, 2020 sees Mazda celebrate a century of innovation, pioneering design, and engineering success. One hundred years of business that has also seen a fair share of records achieved by Mazda over the course of its storied history.

Mazda Philippines is announcing the last call for orders for the MX-5 MCP 25th Anniversary Edition.

Already a lightweight sportscar, Mazda has put is fourth-generation MX-5 on a diet again, helping it shed even more weight for 2022. The result is this Japan only Roadster 990S—a new special edition that weighs just, as you guessed it, 990 kilograms.

A few weeks back, I happened to experience what I thought was one of the best balanced sportscars in the world: the Porsche 718 Boxster. At the time, I thought Stuttgart’s effort would be hard to beat. That was, until I snuggled into the driver’s seat of a 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF. Now, I can unequivocally say that if I were in the market for an open-top two-seater sportscar (and had all the budget in the world), I would choose the Mazda.

The 2024 season of the MSCC Mazda Miata Spec Series starts on May 25. Organized jointly by Mazda Philippines and the Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC), the MSCC Miata Spec Series is the country’s only one-make sportscar racing series.

Remember that owner who gave me access to a 2023 Snowflake White Mazda MX-5 RF late last year? You know, the one with the Terracota interior? Well, I’ve got a confession to make: I’m that bastard. At the time, I felt prudent not to announce it all over the internet primarily because there was a supply shortage of MX-5s. But now that supplies have stabilized (more or less) and wait lists have shortened (more or less), it’s time for me to discuss ownership of the two-seater sportscar.

Held at Modena Circuit in Italy, the ‘MX-5 Rally of Records’ has broken the Guinness World Records title for the largest parade of Mazda cars in the world. With a parade of 707 MX-5s, the event beat the previous record set in the Netherlands in 2013, where 683 cars took part in a parade.

Mazda Philippines is the latest car manufacturer to announce the effect of the DTI’s Safeguard Duty, but unlike other brands, it will so far affect just two models: the Mazda3 and MX-5.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It’s amusing how carmakers become obsessed with whoever can build the fastest, most powerful, or best handling car out there. Often, they’ll start quoting things like horsepower, torque, and even Nürburgring lap times. That’s all well and good, but unfortunately, in their quest to build what factually is the best car disregards the most important aspect: the driver. In their plan to build a car with blistering acceleration and rib-hurting lateral g’s, it becomes cold and distant to drive. Yes, it’s fast, but it doesn’t feel enjoyable to the man behind the wheel.

The Mazda MX-5 once again proved to be a formidable racing platform by taking the 2023 Petron 4-hour Kagitingan Cup Win last April 16. Team MSCC Mazda Miata completed 89 laps with a best time of 1:56.054 bagging them the Class 1 and Open A categories for the 4-hour race. The team also finished second overall for the 2-hour race.

The Mazda MX-5 proved to be a quick and reliable racing platform by dominating the 2024 Petron Makabayan Endurance Cup opener last April 14. The #55 Team MSCC Mazda Miata race car completed 114 laps in four hours, a new lap record for the 4-Hour Kagitingan Cup. The same car also won the two-hour race, lapping the 3.7-kilometer Batangas Racing Circuit 60 times. This is the first time Team MSCC Mazda Miata won both endurance challenges.

Mazda Philippines will soon be the authorized distributor of AutoExe tuning parts and accessories in the country. Ahead of its official market launch slated before the end of 2024, Mazda Philippines showed off the MX-5 Autoexe Edition. This special-edition MX-5 serves as the start of this partnership as Mazda Philippines and Autoexe work closely to develop its local product line.

Mazda is refreshing its MX-5 sportscar yet again for 2023, and this time, it adds and/or swaps both exterior and interior colorways to keep things fresh.

The Mazda MX-5 has won the 2016 World Car of the Year award. It is the second Mazda to win the award, following the Mazda2 in 2008. The third generation MX-5 was one of three finalists for the same award in 2006, as was the Mazda3 in 2014. In addition to taking the main award this year, the MX-5 has also been named World Car Design of the Year. It is the first time in the history of the awards that a single model has taken both titles.

Mazda continues its pursuit of sportscar perfection with the significantly updated 2024 MX-5. Set for a global release starting in mid-January 2024, the refreshed fourth-generation “ND” model gets safety, handling, and connectivity updates. It could very well be the final major update current roadster since a full model change is expected by 2025 to 2026.