REFRESHED MAZDA MX-5 ANNOUNCED AND PRICED

The Mazda MX-5 has been selling internationally for 20 years. It’s actually the biggest-selling roadster in history with over 850 000 units shifted since 1989. Mazda has now refreshed it for a 2009 new look and it’s available for sale at your nearest Mazda dealer anywhere in South Africa.



“The MX-5 represents Mazda’s philosophy of car making,” says Brendan Lyne, Mazda General Manager. “It perfectly embodies the spirit of Zoom-Zoom, the exhilaration and liberation that comes from experiencing the sheer joy of motion. The newly evolved MX-5 builds on these philosophies and ensures the car remains current and as enjoyable as ever.”



Changes extend all around the car and include the larger front grille with the company’s new smiley face, a chrome ring, silver fog lamp inner bezels, a new front bumper, a new rear bumper and new rear lights.



Being a roadster the new facelift MX-5 features a retractable hard top operated through a button. It’s not all electronic though as the user still needs to unlock it before releasing. The 3-piece roof retracts into the back of the cabin and not into the boot which always keeps boot space at its maximum.



Power is courtesy of the familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder natural aspirated engine making 118kW at 7000rpm and 188Nm at 5000rpm. As you can see this is a soprano of note which doesn’t get up unless the accelerator pedal is firmly on the floor. The rev limit has now been pushed up to 7500rpm from the previous 7000rpm. The 6-speed short-throw manual gearbox is a sharp and precise, giving good feedback and fun driving.



Interior equipment includes a BOSE sound system with a 6-channel equaliser, auxiliary jack, power windows, air conditioning, a 6-CD changer and heated leather seats.



The car comes with a 15 000km service interval, a 4-year/120 000km fully comprehensive manufacturer warranty, as well as the MazdaMotion 4-year/60 000km service plan. A 3-year roadside assistance plan comes standard with the purchase of any Mazda vehicle.





2009 Mazda MX-5 Pricing

MX-5 6-speed manual (R337 500)