It has long become the world's best selling two-seater. Now Mazda is taking the MX-5 a step further with two improved engines.
It's now 29 years old and over a million have been sold worldwide, which proves when you get a formula eight it will continue to give and give. The Mazda MX-5 deserves its place as the world'd top-selling roadster because, despite its being ripe for copying, no other company has come close to offering a two-seater that is as well designed, as much fun to drive and is as affordable as this one.
The current 1.5 petrol version starts at just under €28,000 and it's an all-new version. It has LED headlights, alloy wheels and a six-speed manual gearbox. Yet being true to its roadster roots means that the car is still limited in interior space and will emphatically not accommodate the big shopping trip. It's a car meant for the open road and for two people and that's it.
The 2.0 litre joins the current 1.5 petrol version.
The 1.5 is now being joined by an improved 2.0 litre unit that has higher a speed, engine output and pulling power. Prices have'nt been announced for Ireland yet and, given the limitations of the car, it is likely that the small number who will buy this car will opt for the more sensible 1.5 version, which packs its own kind of punch but within reasonable cost parameters. Our glorious past summer may have been the ideal time to drive a car but one such summer does'nt justify a serious roadster investment.
Those who are drawn to the 2.0 litre, however, will now get an engine speed that has been increased from 6,800 RPM to 7,500 RPM, 24 horse power more and a two and a half per cent increase in pulling power.
The interior has been modernised but not too much so.
The interior of the MX-5 was a spartan concept originally. This latest generation has a seven inch infotainment screen and a rotary control knob. It's modern but one of the key things about the MX-5 is its appeal of roadster simplicity. If you want more then spend a great deal more on a BMW Z4. Spendlng less on the Mazda keeps you in better contact with the road because it is tuned to involve you in, rather than distract you from, the driving experience.
