The Mazda MX-5 SKYACTIV that is being launched today is the culmination of all the benefits of Mazda’s revolutionary SKYACTIV Technology resulting in an already legendary roadster that is destined to be an icon. Mazda has succeeded in making the new MX-5 lighter yet more rigid, more powerful yet more fuel efficient, faster yet safer, and more desirable yet more attainable. The MX-5 carries the Mazda badge proudly. It lives on as the definitive roadster, a truly tough act to follow.
The Mazda MX-5 was introduced to the world in 1989 as a true lightweight sports car. It was a two-seater roadster with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, proven mechanicals and sound technology. With its fuss-free but distinctive styling, the compact roadster weighed merely 940kg.
Badged as the Mazda MX-5 Miata in North America and as the Eunos Roadster in Japan, the MX-5 went on to be the best-selling two-seater convertible sports car in history, as validated by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000, with total production of 531,890 units. Nearly a million Mazda MX-5s have been sold around the world by July 2014, a remarkable number for a car of this category.
The Mazda MX-5 has won numerous awards including Wheels Magazine’s Car of the Year for 1989 and 2005, Sports Car International’s “best sports car of the 1990s” and “ten best sports cars of all time”, 2005–2006 Car of the Year Japan; and 2005 Australian Car of the Year. The Miata has been on Car and Driver magazine’s annual Ten Best list 14 times!
The December 2009 issue of Grassroots Motorsports magazine named the Miata as the most important sports car built is the last 25 years. And in the words of Jeremy Clarkson: “The fact is that if you want a sports car, the MX-5 is perfect. Nothing on the road will give you better value. Nothing will give you so much fun. The only reason I’m giving it five stars is because I can’t give it fourteen.”
The success of the MX5 can be attributed to Mazda’s philosophy of Jinba ittai (rider “jin” horse “ba” as one body “ittai”). The Mazda SKYACTIV technology translates this into a reality that can be easily felt with a drive in the new roadster. And with Mazda’s design language Kodo, the MX-5 has evolved from its soft-edged and unassuming persona to a sexy and edgy sports car, with a strong Mazda family theme.
The new Mazda MX-5 was unveiled to the world early this year, to an enthusiastic response. The international media members who had the opportunity to drive it soon after gave it an overwhelming ‘thumbs-up’. It has been raking up record sales numbers worldwide, contributing to a strong revival of the roadster love-affair. The spectacular automotive achievement that is the Mazda MX-5 is now available in Malaysia.
The new Mazda MX-5 is being offered as a convertible with a soft top, in the pure form of a roadster. A lightweight, automated fully retractable hard top is in the pipeline. The official selling price is RM219,269.80, GST inclusive.
Here are some of the car’s key specifications
