Mazda, why you do this to us? Just a few days after Mazda Philippines announced the availability of the limited edition Dark Cherry soft top, Japan just had to one us and come up with a revised MX-5 which, among others, is now available with a brown-colored top which the company calls “Caramel.” Cute.

Naturally available only on the soft top variant of the MX-5, this new model adopts a tan-colored interior to color coordinate with the brown-colored soft top. All in all, this creates an altogether different flavor for Mazda’s venerable roadster.


In addition, in gains “Advanced Smart City Brake Support” which uses a laser-sensor mounted on the windshield to mitigate or stop a frontal collision. If the system detects a risk of collision, it prepares the brake system to be ready to deliver maximum stopping power when the driver brakes. If the driver does not take evasive action such as braking or steering, the system simultaneously applies the brakes and reduces engine output, with the aim of avoiding the collision or reducing the severity of impact. Aside from Advanced SCBS, it also gets lane departure warning (just like the newly released 2018 Philippine model) as well as traffic sign recognition.

Other detail changes include the adoption of a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, a switch from gunmetal-colored wheels to black metallic ones for better color coordination with the black-capped mirrors, and a full-color TFT LCD multifunction display.


Buried in the list of changes, the 2.0-liter models (which is basically the MX-5 RF in Japan) gains an upgraded 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine featuring improved internals. Changes for 2018 include an improved air intake design, adoption of lightweight parts, and reduction of friction loses.

All in all, Mazda says this will improve torque throughout the rev change as well as a maximum output increase of 15 percent (160 horsepower + 15 percent = 184 horsepower). Furthermore, the redline has gone up from 6,800 to 7,500 rpm. Apart from raw power, this new engine offers a “more suitable sound quality for a high-performance engine” as well as improved fuel economy.