Mazda MX-5 Miata ND Japanese S Leather Package

Identity and model-line position

The S Leather Package was a Japanese-market grade of the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND), sold domestically as the Mazda Roadster. It joined the Japanese launch range on 21 May 2015, above S and S Special Package. This record covers that launch specification; the date denotes Japanese sales introduction, not an export model year. Mazda launch announcement.

Development and production context

Mazda announced the start of fourth-generation production at Ujina Plant No. 1 in Hiroshima on 5 March 2015, with the initial cars intended for Japan. This establishes the generation’s manufacturing context, rather than a separately documented start date for the S Leather Package.

Development combined SKYACTIV engineering and KODO design with the objective of preserving the lightweight sports car’s driving appeal while addressing safety and environmental requirements. The March announcement anticipated domestic sales around June; the subsequent launch announcement specified 21 May. Neither source establishes a separate production total or final production date for this grade. Mazda production announcement.

Body and powertrain

The launch car was a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive soft-top with a direct-injection SKYACTIV-G 1.5-litre petrol engine. Buyers could select SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual or six-speed EC-AT automatic transmission. Launch prices, including consumption tax, were ¥3,034,800 and ¥3,142,800 respectively, with recycling fees additional. These are Japanese launch specifications, not specifications for every ND-market combination. Mazda launch specifications.

Equipment and transmission differences

Standard equipment included Mazda Connect and a nine-speaker Bose system. Navigation required a separately purchased navigation SD card. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam control and adaptive front lighting were standard on S Leather Package; Mazda listed these as factory options on S Special Package.

The i-stop stop-start and i-ELOOP energy-recovery systems were standard with the automatic and factory options with the manual. Consequently, transmission choice also affected standard equipment. These distinctions describe the 2015 Japanese launch range and should not be applied automatically to later cars. Mazda Japanese equipment announcement.

Historical significance

The launch lineup positions S Leather Package as the more extensively equipped interpretation of the new Roadster. Its significance lies in combining the shared sports-car architecture with additional convenience and driver-assistance equipment, while preserving a choice of manual or automatic transmission. This is an interpretation of Mazda’s documented grade structure. Japanese launch lineup.

Mazda MX-5 Miata Fourth Generation (ND)

Parent generation record.