The Iconic Mazda MX-5 sportscar upgraded with a fresh faced look
Other changes to this highly popular sports car are the new pedestrian-friendly bonnet, sat-nav system, side airbags, climate control air-conditioning and an even more rewarding driving experience.
[portfolio_slideshow]Peter Allibon, Mazda UK Sales Director, said.“When developing the upgraded Mazda MX-5, Mazda’s designers were determined to make the revised roadster even better looking and even more fun to drive. An aggressive new front grille and new bumper design with a bold chin spoiler creates a deeper and wider look that also improves aerodynamics by reducing drag around the fog lamp and over the front tyres,”
As well as giving upgraded Mazda MX-5 a fresh appearance, the new front-end design simultaneously improves pedestrian safety. Keeping ahead of tougher EU regulations, the MX-5 is the first Mazda to be equipped with the company’s newly-developed active bonnet system. If a collision with a pedestrian is detected, the trailing edge of the bonnet instantly ‘pops-up’ to increase the crumple zone between the bonnet and engine, reducing the severity of pedestrian injuries.
Every upgraded Mazda MX-5 continues to offer the Japanese marque’s unique ‘Jinba Ittai’ handling finesse with a rear-wheel drive chassis that delivers perfectly balanced handling and pure driving exhilaration. Now, the six manual transmission models feature a modified throttle to improve responsiveness and give more linear, nimble acceleration, especially when manoeuvring out of corners. At the same time, Mazda engineers optimised the vacuum brake booster to improve brake return control and thus front-rear load distribution, particularly when braking into bends.
“The Mazda MX-5 enjoys incredible popularity in Britain and now the ‘Upgraded’ range offers an even more rewarding sportscar ownership experience, while remaining unrivalled as an exhilarating drive that can also be used everyday. Together with its affordability, low running costs, enviable reliability, as confirmed by the 2012 What Car? magazine annual reliability survey, great residual values and our current low-rate finance offers, the Mazda MX-5 is a thoroughly modern sportscar that people can buy with their heart and their head,” adds Allibon.
The upgraded Mazda MX-5 benefits from enhanced equipment with climate control air-conditioning and glossy dark grey dashboard panel and steering wheel inserts on every model. Upgraded Mazda MX-5 Sport Tech and PowerShift models also gain an auto-dimming interior mirror, while Sport Tech models also boast an alloy pedal set.
New to the Mazda MX-5 line-up, the Sport Tech Nav model features a TomTom satellite-navigation system with a fully integrated 5.8-inch touch screen monitor, 4GB SD card based map (45 countries), Live Services, iPod and Bluetooth® connectivity, and complete multi-media functionality.
The upgraded Mazda MX-5 range also benefits from a refreshed palette of colours and new to the Mazda MX-5 range, Sparkling Black Mica, Dolphin Grey Mica and Crystal White Pearlescent. Also available is the popular True Red Solid, Aluminium Silver Metallic, Copper Red Mica and Stormy Blue Mica.
Mazda MX-5 customers have a choice of three powertrains, all fine-tuned to maximise thrills and minimise fuel consumption – the 126ps 1.8i MZR with a five-speed gearbox, and the 160ps 2.0i MZR with a smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission or ‘PowerShift‘ six-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission that allows manual control or a fully automatic mode.
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