2022 Mazda MX-5: Orders halted in Japan ahead of possible update

Orders for the 2022 Mazda MX-5 have been paused in its home country – but Mazda Australia continues to take orders for its hero sports car.

Mazda Japan says the order halt applies to the current 2022 model, though it remains ambiguous on the reasons behind the decision – and whether it is in anticipation of an updated model for 2023.

The notice comes just weeks after a partially-camouflaged MX-5 was spied testing in Germany – though it's not clear whether this was a prototype for a facelifted 2023 MX-5, or a test mule hiding the next-generation MX-5 under its body.

“Mazda [MX-5] has stopped accepting orders for the current model,” a translated message on the company’s Japanese website reads.

“Sales will end as soon as the stock at the store is exhausted. In addition, even if the dealership has stock, it may not be possible to meet the customer's request such as body colour or options. We will let you know when sales will resume.”

A spokesperson for Mazda Australia confirmed orders were still being taken for the MX-5 locally.

The message is similar to a notice that appeared on the company’s Japanese website in late 2021, ahead of an updated model line-up being announced for 2022.

While the fourth-generation 'ND' MX-5 is currently seven years old, it’s a little early to see an all-new model – as the niche two-seater has typically been given a longer lifecycle than more popular passenger vehicles with higher sales in recent times.

The first two generations of the model – the 1989-97 'NA' and 1998-2005 'NB' – were on sale for roughly seven years each, but Mazda kept the 2005-15 'NC' MX-5 in production for approximately 10 years, with the current ND expected to be replaced in 2024 or 2025.

Mazda has hinted at the next-generation MX-5 adopting some form of hybrid power, though it’s not clear whether this will launch when the vehicle makes its debut, or if the carmaker will introduce an electrified model later on in the car's life cycle.

Patent filings from February 2022 revealed the company is working on a tri-motor hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive, though there’s no direct evidence yet to link it with the next-gen MX-5.

Technical drawings (above) uncovered by Spanish publication Motor.es in November 2020 – taken from corporate financial documents at the time – suggested a mild-hybrid Mazda could be introduced in 2022, though it’s unclear whether the MX-5 was just used as an example of its future hybrid rear-wheel-drive architecture, used under the CX-60 family SUV.