KONI 8245-1441 Special Active Front Shock for 2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata ND RWD

Vehicle Fitment

• 2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND) - Sport, Club, Grand Touring (Soft Top Roadster, 2.0L Skyactiv-G I4, RWD, Front)
• 2017-2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF (ND) - RF Club, RF Grand Touring (Retractable Fastback, 2.0L Skyactiv-G I4, RWD, Front)
• 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata 100th Anniversary Special Edition (Soft Top and RF, RWD, Front)

Fitment Notes

• Does NOT fit the Fiat 124 Spider or Abarth 124 Spider - despite sharing the ND platform, Fiat used retuned shock absorbers with different specifications; the 124 Spider requires a separate part number
• Fits all ND-generation MX-5 Miata trim levels and body styles - no trim-level exclusions confirmed for this part number
• Compatible with both the 2016-2018 ND1 (155 hp, 2.0L) and 2019-present ND2 (181 hp, 2.0L) production runs - same front suspension geometry throughout the ND generation
• Recommended for use with OE (factory) springs - not recommended for vehicles with aftermarket lowering springs or coilover setups
• Companion rear shock for this application: KONI 8245-1442
• Sold as 1 shock absorber - must be installed as a matched left and right axle pair
• Position: Front (Left and Right)

Features

• KONI Special Active technology - uses KONI's latest generation of Frequency Selective Damping (FSD), automatically adjusting damping force in real time to match road surface frequency and driving inputs without any electronics, wiring, or ECU interaction
• Controls large body motions including cornering roll, track-induced pitch, and braking dive with firm damping, while remaining soft and compliant over small, rapid inputs like expansion joints, road seams, and rough pavement - delivering sharper handling and smoother ride simultaneously
• Purpose-engineered for the MX-5 ND platform - the suspension geometry, spring rates, and chassis dynamics of the ND Miata are specifically matched, maintaining the car's celebrated balance and steering feel while meaningfully improving damping quality over worn or standard OEM shocks
• Electronics-free adaptive damping - performs without any interface with the vehicle's electronics, making it a clean, plug-and-play installation suitable for street, track day, and autocross use
• Proven on over 10 million factory-equipped vehicles worldwide - KONI supplies active damping technology as OEM equipment to Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, Fiat, Lamborghini, and Ferrari
• Direct OEM-length replacement - installs at factory ride height with no spacers, modifications, or special alignment corrections beyond standard front shock replacement procedure
• Twin-tube, low pressure gas-charged construction - consistent, fade-resistant damping across all operating temperatures, road surfaces, and driving conditions
• Covers both ND1 and ND2 production runs - a single part number serving the entire fourth-generation MX-5 from 2016 through current production
• Lifetime warranty - backed by KONI's standard lifetime limited warranty for the original purchaser

Specifications

• Part Number: 8245-1441
• Series: KONI Special Active 8245
• Position: Front (Left and Right)
• Type: Twin-Tube, Low Pressure Gas-Charged
• Technology: Frequency Selective Damping (Special Active / FSD)
• External Adjustability: None
• Finish: Red
• Stroke: OEM Length
• Extended Length: 30.4 in
• Weight: 6.0 lbs
• Drivetrain Compatibility: RWD
• Platform: Mazda ND (fourth-generation MX-5/Miata)
• Part Fitment: Direct Fit
• Quantity: 1 shock absorber per package (must be installed as axle pair)

Included Components

• 1x KONI Special Active Front Shock Absorber (PN 8245-1441)

Product Description

The KONI 8245-1441 Special Active front shock absorber is a direct-fit, electronics-free adaptive damper for the front axle of the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND platform), covering all trim levels - Sport, Club, Grand Touring, RF Club, and RF Grand Touring - from the 2016 model year through current production. A single part number serves the entire ND generation, spanning both the original 2016-2018 ND1 and the updated 2019-onward ND2 production runs, as the front suspension geometry remained consistent throughout. The MX-5 ND is an ideal platform for this technology: a pure driver's car where the balance between front and rear, the precision of steering response, and the quality of road information transmitted through the chassis are defining characteristics. The KONI Special Active is engineered specifically to enhance all three simultaneously, rather than trading one off against another.

KONI's Special Active FSD technology uses a patented internal valve that continuously reads the frequency of suspension inputs in real time. Under slow, large-amplitude movements - body roll in corners, pitch under hard braking, and transitions on undulating roads - damping stiffens to keep the ND composed and planted. Under fast, small-amplitude inputs - expansion joints, rough asphalt, and road texture - the same shock instantly relaxes to absorb the impact without harshness. The net effect on the MX-5 is a car that turns in more crisply and remains flatter through corners, while simultaneously riding more smoothly over imperfect surfaces. This is achieved without any wiring, sensor integration, or communication with the MX-5's ECU, making installation straightforward and leaving the car's systems completely undisturbed. The entire technology is purely hydraulic - the same approach KONI supplies factory-fitted to over 10 million vehicles, including platforms from Ferrari and Lamborghini.

An important compatibility note: despite sharing the ND platform with the Mazda, the Fiat 124 Spider and Abarth 124 Spider use retuned shock absorbers with different specifications. The 8245-1441 is confirmed for the Mazda MX-5 Miata only and should not be assumed to fit the Fiat variants without separate verification. The shock is sold as a single unit but must be installed in matched left and right pairs at the front axle. For a complete front-to-rear Special Active upgrade, the matching rear shock is KONI part number 8245-1442. KONI specifies this shock for use with factory OE springs - it is not intended for use with aftermarket lowering springs or coilover configurations.