KONI 8245-1442 Special Active Rear 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, Rear)
• 2017-2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF (ND) - RF Club, RF Grand Touring (Retractable Fastback, 2.0L Skyactiv-G I4, RWD, Rear)
• 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata 100th Anniversary Special Edition (Soft Top and RF, RWD, Rear)

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 rear 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 front shock for this application: KONI 8245-1441
• Sold as 1 shock absorber - must be installed as a matched left and right axle pair
• Position: Rear (Left and Right)

Features

• KONI Special Active technology - uses KONI's latest generation of Frequency Selective Damping (FSD), automatically adjusting rear damping force in real time based on road surface frequency and driving inputs, without any electronics, wiring, or ECU interaction
• Controls large body motions at the rear axle including cornering squat, lift-off oversteer tendencies, and rear-end pitch with firm damping, while remaining soft and compliant over rapid, small-amplitude inputs like road seams, expansion joints, and rough pavement
• Purpose-engineered for the MX-5 ND's rear multi-link suspension - matched to the platform's spring rates and rear axle geometry to maintain the ND's celebrated balance and rear responsiveness while meaningfully improving on worn or stock OEM damping quality
• Electronics-free adaptive damping - purely hydraulic operation, fully compatible with the vehicle's existing systems, suitable for street, autocross, and track day use without any additional setup
• 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 alignment corrections beyond standard rear shock replacement procedure
• Twin-tube, low pressure gas-charged construction - consistent, fade-resistant damping performance across all operating temperatures and conditions
• Covers both ND1 and ND2 production runs - one part number serving the entire fourth-generation MX-5 rear axle from 2016 through current production
• Lifetime warranty - backed by KONI's standard lifetime limited warranty for the original purchaser

Specifications

• Part Number: 8245-1442
• Series: KONI Special Active 8245
• Position: Rear (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: 31.5 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 Rear Shock Absorber (PN 8245-1442)

Product Description

The KONI 8245-1442 Special Active rear shock absorber is the rear-axle complement to the 8245-1441 front shock, providing direct-fit adaptive damping for the rear suspension of the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND platform) across all trim levels - Sport, Club, Grand Touring, RF Club, and RF Grand Touring - from the 2016 model year through current production. Like its front counterpart, a single part number covers the entire ND generation, spanning the ND1 (2016-2018) and ND2 (2019-present) production runs without modification, as the rear suspension geometry remained consistent throughout. On the MX-5, where the balance between front and rear responsiveness is as important as absolute grip, a matched set of Special Active shocks front and rear delivers the most cohesive improvement to the car's dynamic character.

KONI's Special Active FSD technology works through a patented internal valve that continuously senses the frequency of suspension inputs and adjusts damping in real time - stiffening under slow, large-amplitude movements like rear-axle squat under acceleration, cornering load, and pitch over undulations, while relaxing instantly under fast, small-amplitude inputs such as road texture, expansion joints, and surface imperfections. At the rear of the ND Miata, this translates to better composure in corners with less tendency toward lift-off oversteer or unsettled behavior, while maintaining the car's celebrated compliance and lightness on real roads. The mechanism is entirely hydraulic and requires no wiring, ECU communication, or system calibration - installation is a clean, direct swap at the rear shock mounts.

As with the front shock, an important fitment distinction applies: despite the Fiat 124 Spider sharing the ND platform, Fiat applied retuned shock absorbers with different specifications, and the 8245-1442 is confirmed only for the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The shock is sold as a single unit and must be fitted as a matched left and right rear pair. KONI specifies this shock for use with OE factory springs - aftermarket lowering springs and coilover configurations are not recommended with this part. For a complete four-corner upgrade, the matching front shock is KONI 8245-1441.