Roadster

The ND Roadster (ND5RC)

The fourth-generation Roadster went on sale in Japan on 21 May 2015, a two-seater with a fabric roof, rear-wheel drive and a kerb weight from 990 kg. ND5RC is the 1.5-litre car, built until the major update of late 2023, after which the 1.5 became the ND5RE. Its engine is the P5-VP[RS], a 1,496 cc four-cylinder without a turbocharger, which made 131 PS at 7,000 rpm and 150 Nm at launch, and 132 PS and 152 Nm after a 2018 revision. A six-speed manual was offered on every grade, with a six-speed automatic on most.

From December 2021 every car gained Kinematic Posture Control, and the 990S of January 2022 took the S grade and added forged RAYS 16-inch wheels and its own suspension and steering tune.

What ND owners upgrade

Exhaust systems are what ND owners buy most, to give the 1.5 more voice. Inside, steering wheels, mirrors, seat covers and seat rails from the interior range lead, and on the outside, aero kits, front bumpers and lip spoilers from the exterior range.

Radiator caps from the cooling range, intake ducts from the intake range and brake pads make up the rest, alongside Mazda's own parts. Kenstyle, Knight Sports, AutoExe, HKS, R Magic and Kakimoto Racing are among the names owners choose.

Genuine parts

Some early manual gearboxes gave trouble selecting first to second or third to second, even at low mileage; Mazda revised the gearbox and replaced many under warranty, so ask what a car has had. The rear hub carrier bushes fail often enough to note, and a knock from the rear can be the brake caliper slider pins rather than the suspension; the calipers can also seize. Engine mounts can fail on hard-driven cars. Gearbox, hub and brake parts are in our genuine Mazda parts catalogue.

Wheels

The ND5RC came on 16x6.5 +45 or 16x7 +45 wheels, on a 4x100 bolt pattern with M12 x 1.5 nuts. Other sizes are listed under wheels that fit the ND Roadster.