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Price |
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-- |
Production |
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Engine |
2
liter inline-4 |
Weight |
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Aspiration |
natural |
Torque |
139
lb-ft |
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HP |
158
hp |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
79
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
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0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
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(from Mazda Press
Release) Evolution focused on pure Jinba Ittai Enjoyment
The facelift MX-5 embodies the purest form of Zoom-Zoom. With
evolved sensory qualities, it continues to deliver the unchanging
value of “Jinba-Ittai” (oneness between driver and car) despite the
changing world. Marking its 20th anniversary next year, the new MX-5
offers a “lots of fun” driving experience underpinned by the
untiring passion of Mazda’s engineers since 1989.
Updates at a Glance
Newly evolved
look that’s functional and instantly recognizable, as Mazda, and
as MX-5
• Exterior styling with greater dynamism & athleticism, which
contributes to superior aerodynamics
• Strongly emphasized a premium identity in the look and feel of
the Roadster Coupe
Enhanced
engineering to enable the driver to enjoy the full potential of
the engine performance
• 500 rpm higher rev limit and the raised engine speed at max
power
• Introduced a forged crankshaft, fully floating pistons and
newly designed valve springs
Sportier engine
sound that responds more crisply to accelerator inputs
• Surge tank rigidity optimization, new forged crankshaft and
ISE , Induction Sound Enhancer (for 6MT)
Smoother shifting
feel with brisk and high-quality steering feel
• With 6MT, the meshing surfaces of the 1st–4th triple-cone
synchronizers are now carbon coated, and the 3rd–4th
synchronizer diameter has been increased.
• Linear & sporty 6AT that’s newly available for Europe
incorporates two new control technologies, Direct Activematic
(DAM) and Active Adaptive Shift (AAS).
• A lower front roll centre and retuned suspension make the
car’s response to steering inputs more linear and enable the
driver to precisely trace desired lines. The yaw and roll also
feel more natural, producing a higher-quality ride
Improved quietness
• Roadster Coupe cockpit road noise with the roof closed is
2.1dB lower than before. Improvements include urethane filling
in the front suspension member and damping material in the front
roof section.
• Quietness is further promoted in the Roadster Coupe and
soft-top version by stiffer door modules and by newly added
reinforcements on the No. 2 crossmember.
Environmental, safety and conformability
• More convenient features, ie., improved Bose®sound system, 5
step adjustable seat heater, etc.
• Average fuel consumption display and outside air temperature
is equipped
• More models featuring DSC as standard equipment
All information in this
press copy is based on the specifications of the freshened Mazda
MX-5 at the time of writing. Mazda’s product development is ongoing,
so certain details of the vehicle may change. For confirmation,
please contact the nearest Mazda public relations representative.
At the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Mazda is unveiling the freshened Mazda
MX-5 and Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe.* Both versions of the facelifted
MX-5 been reined for an even purer experience of Jinba Ittai — the
unique feeling of oneness between driver and car that has
distinguished the MX-5 since its inception.
Since launching the first-generation MX-5 in 1989, Mazda has stuck
to the concept that driving enjoyment is the key value offered by
the MX-5. Through two full redesigns and countless improvements,
we’ve continued to heighten and improve the MX-5’s Jinba Ittai-
focused “lots of fun” character. We expanded the MX-5’s appeal to an
even broader audience in 2006 with the launch of the MX-5 Roadster
Coupe. As demands for safety and environmental compatibility have
grown amid major changes in the automotive environment, we’ve
continued to incorporate new technologies and innovations without
compromising the MX-5’s inherent lightness.
*The version with a retractable hard top has various names according
to market. In Europe, it’s called the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe. In
North America, it’s called the Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hard
Top. And in Japan, it’s called the Mazda Roadster Power Retractable
Hard Top.
With the latest MX-5 facelift, Mazda engineers set out to combine an
enhanced Jinba Ittai feeling with revisions that would further
cement the MX-5’s reputation as the most enjoyable lightweight
two-seat sports car in the world. The designers retained the well-
known friendly facial expression while incorporating elements of
Mazda’s latest design themes for a dynamic, athletic look that
embodies the MX-5’s function and purpose as a sports car. With the
Roadster Coupe, they strongly emphasized a premium identity in the
look and feel of the body and cabin.
With regard to dynamic performance, the engineers enhanced
characteristics that appeal to the emotions yet cannot be expressed
in terms of catalogue specifications. For example, they optimized
the engine potential for greater enjoyment, created a sportier
engine sound that responds more crisply to accelerator inputs, and
realized a brisk, high-quality steering feel that gives a more
linear response to movements of the steering wheel. And at the same
time, they enhanced the MX-5 in terms of comfort, convenience, fuel
economy, and safety.
MX-5 Programme Manager Takao Kijima says: “Although the kind of
driving experience that people find enjoyable in a lightweight
sports car never really changes, maintaining it in a vehicle that
must also meet the continually changing demands of society is a
daily challenge for Mazda engineers, and a particularly vital
mission with the MX-5. Speaking as the engineer in charge of MX-5
development, I’m convinced that the MX-5 is—and will remain—more
enjoyable than any competing car. I’m delighted that the new MX-5
and the newly evolved Jinba Ittai fun that it offers will soon be
thrilling customers who already embrace the MX-5 philosophy, and
those who are about to encounter the MX-5 for the first time.”
Heritage : Worldwide Acclaim and
More than 850,000 Units of Production
The MX-5 has enjoyed
worldwide popularity since its first-generation debut in 1989.
Indeed, it is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s
highest-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history. Since
the launch of the third-generation model, the MX-5 has won more than
175 accolades including the 2005–2006 Japan Car of the Year award;
Wheels magazine’s 2005 Car of the Year award; Top Gear magazine’s
Roadster of the Year 2005 award; a place in Car and Driver
magazine’s 2006 Ten Best Cars list; and selection by Consumer
Reports as the best 2008 car in the “fun to drive” category.
Aggregate MX-5 production stood at 852,682 units at the end of July
2008, which looks set to be recognized again by Guinness World
Records as the highest-ever production volume for a two-seat
convertible sports car.
MX-5’s “Lots of Fun” Character
The “lots of fun”
character conceived by Mazda for the MX-5 encompasses several kinds
of fun: the fun of driving it, the fun of seeing its great styling,
the fun of personalizing it, the fun of using it to get together
with friends, and the fun of owning and using the MX-5 on a
day-to-day basis. And underpinning this “lots of fun” character is
the feeling that Mazda calls Jinba Ittai. In developing the
third-generation MX-5, Mazda engineers clearly defined Jinba Ittai
by creating a fishbone chart with six categories (styling, touching,
listening, driving, cornering, and braking) which were then broken
down into individual attributes. With reference to the fishbone
chart, they then used techniques based on Mazda’s unique philosophy
of Kansei engineering to conduct development with a focus on
enjoyment, beauty, and emotional attachment (values that can’t be
measured in numerical terms). With the latest facelift, all members
of the development team used the fishbone chart again as a way to
keep their goals consistent while evolving the MX-5 to meet new
social demands and customer expectations.
An Uncompromising Focus on
Lightness
In the third-generation
MX-5’s development, Mazda engineers pursued the ‘gram’ strategy (a
programme of weight minimizationon a component-by-component basis),
used cutting-edge technologies to make the body light and rigid, and
adopted materials that were stronger and lighter than those used in
the second-generation MX-5. As a result, they were able to limit the
overall weight increase to just 10 kg (22 lb) and enhance
performance at the same time. With the latest facelift, the
development team adopted new mechanicals and equipment throughout
the MX-5 but again kept the overall weight increase to an absolute
minimum. The MX-5’s ideal 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and
the reduced yaw-inertia moment achieved by Mazda with the
third-generation MX-5 are totally uncompromised.
Design: A Newly Evolved Look
that’s Functional and Instantly Recognizable
Design and
craftsmanship, which are encompassed, respectively, by the “styling”
and “touching” categories in the fishbone chart, are particularly
crucial to a sports car since they’re the main source of the car’s
“fun to own” and “fun to use” characteristics. They must complement
and underpin the car’s functionality. With the latest MX-5 facelift,
the development team incorporated elements of Mazda’s newest design
themes while carefully carrying forward the simple and instantly
recognizable personality that Mazda established with the
first-generation MX-5. The updated exterior styling reflects an
evolution toward greater dynamism and athleticism, and it
contributes to superior aerodynamic performance. The updated
interior design realizes significantly enhanced quality and a more
functional, driver-friendly sports-car cockpit.
Exterior Design: A Fusion of New Mazda Elements and an Unmistakable
MX-5 Look
The front grille has been enlarged and changed from an oval shape to
the five-point grille that forms part of the well-known Mazda family
face. Combined with tautly styled headlights and lowing fog- lamp
bezels, the new grille creates a reined and athletic expression. To
preserve the character that has always been a hallmark of the MX-5,
the five points of the grille are slightly rounded. Also, the new
shape of the front bumper, with corners that extend downwards,
enhances the dynamic look and improves the aerodynamics.
Viewed from the side, newly designed side sills form a character
line that lows to the rear bumper in a way that emphasizes speed and
stability. The reshaped side sills deflect air away from the rear
wheels, and thereby contribute to superior aerodynamic performance.
The rear bumper has a new design that makes the rear look wider,
sportier, and more integrated into the body. The rear combination
lamps inherit the traditional MX-5 elliptical motif, and protrude
further outboard for greater aerodynamic efficiency.
The Roadster Coupe’s more Upscale
Identity
The MX-5 Roadster
Coupe, which features a groundbreaking powered roof system, also
incorporates several design changes that further emphasize its
more upscale identity and distinguish it from the soft-top
version.
• Front grille: Whereas the soft-top version has a in-type
grille, the Roadster Coupe has a mesh grille that is framed by a
chrome ring.
• Headlamp inner bezels: The headlamp inner bezels are painted
silver on the soft-top version, but have a chrome finish on the
Roadster Coupe. • Fog-lamp inner bezels: The fog lamp inner
bezels are black on the soft-top version, but are painted silver
on the Roadster Coupe.
• Outer door handles: The outer door handles are body-coloured
on the soft-top version, but have a chrome finish on the
Roadster Coupe.
• High-mounted stop lamp: The high-mounted stop lamp has a red
lens on the soft-top version, but a clear lens on the Roadster
Coupe.
New Wheel Designs
The MX-5 is available
with 16-inch and 17-inch aluminium wheels. The 16-inch wheels have
five sets of twin spokes for a lightweight look. The 17-inch wheels
have 10 twisted spokes for a stronger impression of power and
dynamism.
Interior Design: Higher Than Ever
Quality and Driver- Friendliness
The interior design
delivers the MX-5’s traditional combination of comfortable snugness
below shoulder level and openness above shoulder level. It also
reflects customer feedback in the form of enhanced quality and
driver-friendly features.
The decorative surfaces on the instrument panel have been changed
from glossy piano black to dark silver, which has a subtler, higher-
quality look befitting a sports car. The meters have new graphics
for higher legibility. The climate-control dials on the centre stack
have each been given a silver-coloured ring for a higher-quality
look. A protrusion has been eliminated from the outer surface of
each door pocket to create more leg space. And the door and
centre-console armrests have each been given a soft pad for a better
feel.
Recaro seats designed exclusively for the MX-5 are available in
certain regions. They are upholstered in leather and perforated
Alcantara® for a sporty look, and they combine excellent support
with easy ingress and egress.
Colour Variations
The MX-5 for Europe has
a lineup of seven body colours including two new choices: Aluminium
Metallic (a mix of sportiness and refinement) and Metropolitan Grey
Mica. The soft top is black. Non- Recaro seats in the MX-5 for
Europe are upholstered with black fabric or with black or Dune Beige
(not available in Europe) leather depending on grade. The leather
and perforated Alcantara* on the Recaro seats have a black-based
two-tone colour scheme. The full lineup of body colours is as
follows:
• Aluminium Metallic (new)
• Metropolitan Grey Mica (new)
• Sunflower Yellow (new; not available in Europe)
• Copper Red Mica
• Stormy Blue Mica
• True Red
• Brilliant Black
• Marble White (soft-top version only)
Dynamic Performance :
Evolved Jinba Ittai for Enhanced Fun-To-Drive
The Jinba Ittai feeling
on which Mazda has always focused with the MX-5 defines the kind of
spontaneous car-and-driver interaction that anyone can experience
whether they’re driving the MX-5 in town, on twisty roads, or on an
open highway. With the latest facelift, Mazda engineers evolved the
attributes in the “driving”, “cornering”, “braking”, and “listening”
categories in the fishbone chart to realize performance that lets
drivers enjoy the feeling of oneness with the car to an even greater
degree.
A 500 rpm Higher Rev Limit
Maximizes Engine Potential for Greater Enjoyment
The powertrain has been
enhanced to enable the driver to enjoy the full potential of the
engine’s performance (a key “fun to drive” aspect of the MX-5).
Specifically, the speed at which the engine delivers maximum power
has been raised from 6,700 rpm to 7,000 rpm (2.0-litre M/T version)
and the rev limit has been raised from 7,000 rpm to 7,500 rpm (all
2.0-litre versions). Without these enhancements, the engine feels
smooth and linear right up to the rev limit, even with the throttle
wide open. With them, however, the driver can really experience the
sensation of extracting every single horsepower out of the engine
(the enhancements described here apply to the 2.0-litre grades with
a manual transmission). The crucial 500 rpm increase in the rev
limit is enabled by greater precision in the engine, namely: a
forged crankshaft (this ensures the required rigidity at high engine
speeds), fully floating pistons and newly designed valve springs.
A Sportier Engine Sound that Responds More Crisply to Accelerator
Inputs
The engine sound (a key element in the “listening” category of the
MX-5 fishbone chart) is a big part of the sports car experience.
With the latest facelift, Mazda engineers made the MX-5 engine sound
even better without causing aural discomfort for people outside the
car. Notably, they increased the rigidity of the plastic surge tank
in the intake manifold. The optimized surge tank combines with the
new forged crankshaft to realize a clearer engine sound throughout
the rev range. In vehicles with the six-speed manual transmission,
the engineers also adopted a newly developed device called an
Induction Sound Enhancer (ISE). This amplifies the pulses that occur
when an accelerator input opens the throttle valve to increase air
low into the engine, thereby delivering a more exciting sound to the
cockpit. The intake sound created by the ISE feels synchronized with
the driver’s accelerator inputs, so the driver enjoys a crisp,
thrilling engine sound even when using the accelerator pedal gently
to adjust the revs for a downshift.
Newly Evolved and Reined
Transmissions
With the six-speed
manual transmission, the meshing surfaces of the 1st–4th triple-cone
synchronizers are now carbon coated, and the 3rd–4th synchronizer
diameter has been increased. These improvements enable smoother
shifts up to the engine’s heightened rev limit of 7,500 rpm.
A six-speed Activematic automatic transmission that’s newly
available with the MX-5 for Europe incorporates two new control
technologies. One is Direct Activematic (DAM), which allows the
driver to quickly change gears using paddles on the steering wheel
while still driving in the “D” range. It was developed to enable
quick downshifts for three common situations: decelerating using
engine braking on a downhill road; accelerating after decelerating
into a corner; and overtaking another vehicle. (The driver does not
need to select the “M” range before shifting down.) Since Direct
Activematic enables engine braking and acceleration more quickly and
easily, it makes driving easier and more fun. The other new
technology is Active Adaptive Shift (AAS), by means of which the
transmission control system evaluates the driving situation from
factors such as the road’s gradient and twistiness and the
accelerator and brake inputs. When the system recognizes
enthusiastic driving, it actively promotes upshifts and downshifts
to realize a linear and sporty response that matches the driver’s
intentions.
Handling that Further Heightens
the Jinba Ittai Feeling
The MX-5 development
team also heightened the Jinba Ittai feeling by comprehensively
reining attributes in the category that’s called “cornering” on the
fishbone chart. A key refinement was made to the front suspension
knuckles. The ball joints’ vertical pivot position was changed to
reduce the height of the front roll centre by 26 mm. This decreased
fluctuations in the vertical loading on the outer wheel during
cornering manoeuvres. Consequently, roll movements caused by
steering inputs feel more natural and the car’s response to steering
inputs is more linear. In combination with newly tuned suspension
components, the revision improves the Jinba Ittai steering feel
whereby the driver can precisely trace desired lines. It also
realizes a higher-quality ride by making the yaw and roll feel more
natural.
An Athletic Design that Heightens
Aerodynamic Performance
To improve handling
stability, quietness, and high-speed fuel economy, the MX-5
development team drew on Mazda’s expertise in incorporating
aerodynamic improvements into styling that’s faithful to a design
theme. The main aerodynamic improvements are as follows:
• air guides that protrude downward from the left and right corners
of the front bumper
• specification vehicles, except some specific markets)
• protruding rear combination lamps
• wider front tyre deflectors
As a result of these improvements, both the soft-top version and
Roadster Coupe have top class aerodynamics for their class.
Comfort and Utility: A
Quieter Ride in the Roadster Coupe
Given the Roadster
Coupe’s more upscale positioning, the development team produced a
quieter ride by reducing wheel resonance and adding damping and
sound-insulating materials, such as urethane filling in the front
suspension crossmember and damping material in the front part of the
roof. Thanks to these improvements, road noise in the cockpit on a
coarse road surface with the roof closed is 2.1dB lower than before.
Quietness is further promoted in the Roadster Coupe and soft-top
version by stiffer door modules and by newly added reinforcements on
the No. 2 crossmember.
New Equipment for Comfort and
Convenience
• Bose® sound system
(optional): New features such as a six channel equalizer (with
separate channels for the woofers and the door-mounted mid-to-high
frequency speakers) achieve clearer, more dynamic sound
reproduction.
• AUX jack: Third-party audio devices can be connected to the
car’s audio system. There is also a 12V power socket.
• Bluetooth telephone system (optional): Hands-free
communication is possible without even having to physically plug in
Bluetooth-capable mobile telephones. The driver can make and accept
calls using voice commands or controls mounted on the steering
wheel.
• Improved seat heaters (optional): Shorter warmup times are
complemented by five levels of adjustability (as opposed to the
previous on/off control) for greater comfort.
• Storage for small items: The divider that forms cupholders
in the centre-console can be removed to create a handy box for small
items. There is also a net pocket on each door.
Ecology and Safety: Enhanced
Environmental Performance for Greater Enjoyment
Mazda regards efforts to
reduce fuel economy and exhaust emissions not only as a vital way to
protect the environment but also as a way to make sports cars more
fun to drive.
With the latest MX-5 facelift, Mazda engineers addressed fuel
economy by reducing the rolling resistance of the tyres, reducing
engine friction, and revising the transmission gear ratios. Lower
exhaust emissions were achieved through upgraded precious metals in
the catalytic converter. The MX-5’s improved emission performance
complies with Japan’s SU-LEV standard, the European Union’s Stage 4
standard, and the United States’ ULEV2 standard.
To promote eco-driving, the digital display on the instrument panel
can show the average fuel consumption (The display can be toggled
between average fuel consumption, a double tripmeter, and the
outside air temperature.)
Rigorous Attention to Safety
Improved active safety
on the European MX-5 is realized by expanded availability of a tyre
pressure monitoring system and by more models featuring Dynamic
Stability Control as standard equipment. The MX-5 facelift will be
introduced on the European market in early spring 2009.
