Mazda's new MX-5 set to be another classic
By Russell Williamson
TOKYO: As the saying goes -- when you are on a good thing, stick to it.
With the release of the new MX-5, it would appear Mazda agrees.
While many of the company's recent releases, including the 626, 121 Metro and 929, have been significant departures from their predecessors, the same cannot be said about the new MX-5.
Launched Wednesday at the Tokyo motor show, the new car retains the character and features that have made the two-seater soft-top a modern classic.
Mazda has utilized styling clues from the swoopy RX-7 but the MX-5 retains its proven classic shape. The second-generation car is slightly bigger and has significant improvements in safety levels.
According to MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima, the development of the new car is aimed to improve on its dynamics, performance and packaging while maintaining the "fun factor".
"Throughout the development of the new MX-5, our driving force was to provide driving pleasure to as many possible fans by enhancing its attractiveness as an open two-seater lightweight sports car," Kijima said.
The new car retains its basic front engine rear-drive layout with a double wishbone suspension wrapped in a compact, lightweight body.
It is the same size all round except for being 5mm wider. It weighs 980kg despite significant strengthening of the body and the addition of extra equipment.
Performance from the 1.8-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine has been improved. Power is up 11kW to 108kW at 6500rpm while torque is marginally better at 166Nm at 5000rpm.
Mated to the refined 1.8-liter engine is a new six-speed manual gearbox.
The car will initially be available with five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions.
Externally, the car is still very much identifiable as an MX- 5, despite the loss of the pop-up headlights, but appears to be a more solid and squat-looking car.
Inside, the seats are still separated by the high transmission tunnel and space remains tight, a factor that Mazda sees as positive to "create a feeling of oneness between the car and driver".
Although interior space remains similar, relocating the spare tire has improved the boot space by 11 liters to 135 liters, just enough for a nine-club golf bag, according to Kijima.
Safety and comfort features have also been enhanced with the new car getting dual air bags and antilock brakes as standard.
A Windblocker wind deflector is now also available and the rear zip-out plastic window has been replaced by a heated glass rear window.
According to Mazda the strengthening of the body, lowering of the roll center and refinements to the suspension have also improved the ride and handling.
The bending rigidity has been increased by 7 percent while the stiffer chassis and suspension changes have reduce vibration by 30 percent.
The MX-5 also features its own exclusive premium sound system with 200-watt speakers developed exclusively for the car in conjunction with BOSE.