Renewed electronic platform for the 10th year
In the tenth year since its introduction, the Mazda fourth-generation Roadster has undergone an electronic platform refresh. Starting with the redesign of the headlights, various improvements have been made, including the adoption of modern, larger monitors, as well as a new asymmetric LSD (on higher models) and changes to the electric power steering system. This has further enhanced the driving enjoyment typical of the Roadster.
Mazda decided on an unprecedented minor change
It is now ten years since the debut of the ‘ND Roadster’. Nowadays, it is not unusual for sports models to have a longer lifespan, and when we hear that a model has been around for 10 years, we no longer think “That’s a long time!” as we did in the past. is no longer the case. However, the fact is that the previous generation NC Roadster had been in production for exactly ten years, so the ND had a sense that it was time for a new model. The appearance of the special edition “990S”, for example, was perceived as a semi-final version.
In 2023, however, the Roadster received a major improvement that could be described as a minor change, which surprised everyone. It is fair to say that major changes at this time were unusual. In short, Mazda has declared that it will build the ND Roadster for some time to come. The next generation (which will be the NE?) is still a long way off.
Perhaps the next generation will also have to wait for environmental performance requirements. If the model is changed now, it will be with a larger battery and electric motor, or with more safety equipment, etc. Whatever the case, an increase in weight is inevitable. But the life of a roadster is its lightness. A very hard decision has to be made. Then let’s continue to build the ND to the extent that it doesn’t lose the appeal of its lightweight success, and wait for technological breakthroughs (in the engine and battery) as long as possible. This is why the company decided on an unusual minor change.
The electronic platform has been completely replaced in an attempt to meet the latest regulations on electronic aspects such as driver assistance and hacking prevention. This is the main point of this minor change.
Until now, a platform change would have been a respectable full model change. Now, replacing the electronic platform, which has become just as important as the physical platform, is effectively a model change. Mazda has also gone to great lengths.
While taking the plunge, it also seems to have adopted all the things it had been holding back on. The new headlight design, for which there were many requests for a change, the adoption of modern large monitors, the new asymmetric LSD (higher models), and changes to the electric power steering system (motor and mounting position) have contributed significantly to the improvement of the dynamics of the higher models.
