The Mazda MX-5 Miata is hard not to love. It’s the last fairly affordable drop-top sports car left on the market. Best of all, it offers a potent mix of performance and ease of use for anyone looking for an exciting daily driver. While the current generation, known as the ND, is now over 10 years old, Mazda continues to update the model, including an increase in engine output in 2019 and a refresh for 2025.
Base Trim Engine
2.0-liter I4
Base Trim Transmission
6-Speed Manual
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
181 HP @7000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
151 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM
Infotainment & Features
6 /10
Now, Mazda is maintaining interest in the Miata by announcing the new PS special edition in Japan, available for both the soft-top model and the RF retractable hardtop. The new offering brings lessons from last year’s limited-run Mazda Spirit Racing Roadster special edition to more customers. The Miata PS is now available for order in Japan, with deliveries beginning in early September 2026.
But there are other changes that seem a bit strange for the Miata. Apparently, it’s a bit too shouty for Japan, so Mazda is working to make it even quieter, both inside and out. Here’s a closer look at all the changes.
A Stylish Miata With Sporty Parts
Mazda Miata PS Edition JapanMazda
The Miata PS has a handsome exterior that includes the recently announced Zinc Green Metallic body color with a gray fabric top. The car rides on black-painted 10-spoke, 16-inch wheels from the company RAYS. The Brembo four-piston calipers are silver and clamp onto ventilated discs.
To accent the Miata’s performance capabilities, the PS rides on Bilstein dampers with tuning inspired by the Spirit Racing Roadster. There’s also the adoption of what the automaker calls “acceleration response improvement control,” suggesting tweaks to sharpen throttle response. Heel-and-toe assist control for the transmission adds more excitement when rowing through the gears. A tweaked powertrain control system lets the engine run without reducing power just before the rev limit.
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Inside, there are only tiny changes. The PS has black trim around the air conditioning dial and the engine start button surround. The HVAC vents have a mix of black and silver accents. Also, all models in Japan get reshaped headrests to comply with new seat safety standards, and there’s added touchscreen functionality for controlling Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
While we’re more familiar with the Miata’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the US, the PS comes with the Japanese-market 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 134 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. This edition comes exclusively with a six-speed manual.
A More Muffled Miata
Mazda Miata PS Edition JapanMazda
If you’re familiar with the latest Miata, you know its engine sounds good but isn’t particularly loud compared to many other performance vehicles. Still, Mazda has to revise the car in Japan to comply with the latest external noise regulations. To achieve this, the JDM Miata gets quieter tires, a larger muffler, new resonators and ribs in the intake and exhaust systems, and an induction sound enhancer for soft-top models.
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The revised silencer causes some differences to the RF’s trunk depth due to packaging changes, but Mazda isn’t outlining the specifics of what’s different. According to the company, “By achieving a high level of balance between compliance with regulations and the appeal of driving, the driving performance unique to the Roadster has been further deepened.”
These changes are announced for Japan, but will they reach US shores? It’s unlikely, but CarBuzz contacted Mazda to find out. We’ll jump in with an update if new information becomes available.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Mazda Miata PS Edition JapanMazda
As part of announcing the PS, Miata said that since the Miata’s debut in 1989, the nameplate has tallied over 1.26 million sales worldwide. The figure can only increase in the years to come because the car is not only still on sale, but a next-generation model is at least in the planning stages.
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The PS seems like an attractive addition to the Miata lineup for a buyer looking for a sporty way to get around. The green body, gray roof, black wheels, and silver brake calipers make for a handsome combination. The upgraded suspension and drivetrain tech should add a little more excitement, too. It seems like a perfect recipe for a thrilling daily driver.
Source: Mazda
