Following changes to the all new Mazda 6, Mazda 2 and soon to be launched Mazda 3, it seemed only fair for the Mazda engineers to give its most famous son a make over.
Introducing the upgraded Mazda MX5.
Both the Soft Top and Roadster Coupe have been upgraded to form an 8 car strong line up which includes exterior, interior as well as performance and chassis improvements.
Exterior & Interior
The 2009 upgrade means that every MX-5 comes with alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake, plus an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a new auxiliary (AUX) input jack for MP3 and iPod connection.
All 2.0i models (from £17,345), delivering 160ps, feature DSC (dynamic stability control), TCS (traction control system), a Limited Slip Differential (except PowerShift models) and side airbags. Climate control air conditioning is a £550 option on these models.
The Roadster Coupe differs slightly from its soft top stablemate with a new mesh-type front grille which is surrounded by a chrome-look edge trim, the headlamps feature chrome bezels and the exterior door handles have a chrome finish. The front fog lamps have silver inner bezels and there is a clear lens for the high-mounted rear stop light. The cabin is also better insulated with interior noise reduced by a significant 2.7dB at 37 mph.
Performance & Chassis
For 2009, Mazda MX5 customers will now have a choice of four powertrains, all fine-tuned to use less fuel – the 126ps 1.8i or higher-revving 160ps 2.0i with five-speed gearbox, the 160ps 2.0i with a smoother-shifting six-speed manual gearbox and the new 160ps 2.0i ‘PowerShift’ six-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission with full-auto mode. The engine fine-tuning and aerodynamic drag reductions have resulted in significantly lower CO2 (from 167 g/km for the 1.8i, down from 174 g/km) and enhanced fuel consumption (from 40.4 mpg for the 1.8i, up from 38.7 mpg).
The new PowerShift transmission delivers an even more sporty drive for the Mazda MX5, with gear changes achieved by operating the paddles behind the steering wheel – just like an F1 racecar – so the driver does not have to take his, or her, hand off the wheel. PowerShift makes B-road cross-country driving in the MX5 even more thrilling and when road, traffic conditions or the driver’s mood demands, the full-auto mode gives the option of fully automatic operation for easy city driving and motorway cruising.
A choice of seven body colours will be available – including two new colours (Aluminium Silver Metallic and Metropolitan Grey Mica). Aluminium Silver Metallic contains aluminium particles that diffuse light and cause diverse kinds of reflections and shadow, depending on light conditions. Carried over colours are Copper Red Mica and Stormy Blue Mica and solid colours Brilliant Black and True Red.
Prices start from £16,345 to £21,695 (on-the-road). Zoom-Zoom
it looks good – £7k cheaper than the s2000