Japanese brand gives its drop-top favourite a makeover to celebrate its 20th birthday.It’s hard to believe the MX-5 is 20 years old in 2009. Although Mazda isn’t officially marking the occasion, this updated version of the world’s best-selling sports car is a great way to celebrate.
It’s been given more power and the suspension settings have been revised to produce an even sportier drive.
However, the first thing you’ll notice is the MX-5’s stylish new appearance. At the front is a ‘smiling’ grille along with spotlight surrounds that borrow hints from Mazda’s ‘flowing’ themed Nagare concept cars.
Integrated side sills have been added, the tail-lights now boast a protruding design and the boot gets a lip spoiler, while 17-inch BBS rims can be specified.
Apart from the addition of an iPod socket, softer leather-like trim surfaces and a dashboard economy gauge, the car is almost unchanged inside. Recaro sports seats are optional.
However, considerable developments have taken place beneath the skin. In come stiffer new Bilstein dampers and some suspension geometry modifications that have helped lower the front end’s roll centre.
The improvements are marked. Cornering feels more precise, progressive, flatter and faster. The only downside is that the stiffer settings generate a harsher ride on bumpy surfaces.
Uprated pistons and a forged crankshaft mean the 2.0-litre engine can now rev to 7,500rpm – up from 7,000rpm – which creates an extra 8bhp and takes peak power to 170bhp. That means the 0-62mph figure drops from 7.9 seconds to 7.4 seconds, and the unit feels more responsive, especially at the top end, than before.
Engineers have also tweaked the intake manifold so the exhaust sound is more sporty, and applied a carbon coating to the gearbox to give the six-speed manual transmission an even smoother and precise shift. It all adds up to the best evolution yet and a fitting birthday present from the brand.
To find out more about the Mazda range please visit Lifestyle Mazda
Source [Auto Express] Written by Peter Lyon
Lifestyle Mazda in Crawley and Horsham - Your preferred Mazda Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Sussex
It’s been given more power and the suspension settings have been revised to produce an even sportier drive.
However, the first thing you’ll notice is the MX-5’s stylish new appearance. At the front is a ‘smiling’ grille along with spotlight surrounds that borrow hints from Mazda’s ‘flowing’ themed Nagare concept cars.
Integrated side sills have been added, the tail-lights now boast a protruding design and the boot gets a lip spoiler, while 17-inch BBS rims can be specified.
Apart from the addition of an iPod socket, softer leather-like trim surfaces and a dashboard economy gauge, the car is almost unchanged inside. Recaro sports seats are optional.
However, considerable developments have taken place beneath the skin. In come stiffer new Bilstein dampers and some suspension geometry modifications that have helped lower the front end’s roll centre.
The improvements are marked. Cornering feels more precise, progressive, flatter and faster. The only downside is that the stiffer settings generate a harsher ride on bumpy surfaces.
Uprated pistons and a forged crankshaft mean the 2.0-litre engine can now rev to 7,500rpm – up from 7,000rpm – which creates an extra 8bhp and takes peak power to 170bhp. That means the 0-62mph figure drops from 7.9 seconds to 7.4 seconds, and the unit feels more responsive, especially at the top end, than before.
Engineers have also tweaked the intake manifold so the exhaust sound is more sporty, and applied a carbon coating to the gearbox to give the six-speed manual transmission an even smoother and precise shift. It all adds up to the best evolution yet and a fitting birthday present from the brand.
To find out more about the Mazda range please visit Lifestyle Mazda
Source [Auto Express] Written by Peter Lyon
Lifestyle Mazda in Crawley and Horsham - Your preferred Mazda Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Sussex
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