What they said when the Mazda MX-5 was new… (Nov 7 2005)
IT'S in the Guinness Book of World Records as the best selling roadster ever.
With more than 716,000 sold worldwide the Mazda MX-5 has become one of the best loved cars ever made.
So when it came to launching the third generation of the spirited roadster, Mazda had to think long and hard over what to change and what to leave alone.
It had to build on the established qualities of a car which has become an icon for the brand while at the same time introducing changes to take it forward.
In the end it decided to change everything except the side indicators, which takes some believing because when you see the new car you will still instantly recognise it as an MX5. But that's the whole idea.
The Japanese car maker said it wanted to produce the best MX-5 ever but it had to retain the character of the two previous generations - and it was essential that it was instantly recognisable as an MX-5 at 100 metres.
The result is a roadster which is almost certainly going to continue setting records.
The spirit of the Mk I and Mk II models live on in a car which has grown up, become more muscular externally and more refined internally while not losing that special something which has made the model so popular.
The latest version is also slightly larger. It has a bigger wheel base and is wider, giving occupants more elbow room.
And despite all the improvements it is is only 10 kilograms heavier thanks to the use of more aluminium. In fact it was the move to save weight which made it's designers decide not to fit an electrically operated hood, but to use a new style rapidly opening manual one.
Drop top enthusiasts will love the fact that now you can raise or lower the hood in around six seconds - three times faster than if it was powered by a motor. And best of all it's light and - unlike many of its rivals - requires no feat of strength to fasten the hood clamp to the windscreen.
Along with more space for people comes more space for luggage - around six litres more space in the boot so you can get a decent sized suitcase in or several soft bags.
Combine that with a lockable compartment in between the two seat backs, a "cubby hole" behind each seat and a sensible sized glove box and you have ample space to satisfy the most demanding of sports car drivers.
Attention to detail on the new car is typified by the fact that the engineers discarded 59 exhaust silencers before finding the one that gave just the right throaty sound they wanted.
Available with either 1.8 or two-litre engines, the new car is in the showrooms now with prices starting from £15,600 for a 120 bhp, 1.8-litre with a five speed gearbox.
Go for the same car with an option pack and you get extras like 16 inch alloy wheels instead of steel ones, an up-graded cloth soft top, a leather steering wheel with audio controls and two extra speakers for an additional £800.
The five-speed two-litre comes in at £16,600 but adds traction control, dynamic stability control, limited slip differential and side airbags. The option pack is again available for an extra £800.
The top of the range is the 160 bhp, 2.0 Sport at £18,900. For that you get everything that is in the option pack as well as a six-speed gearbox, heated leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and different shock absorbers.
The changes to the cockpit make the inside look totally different and I particularly like the neat centre section of the dashboard which has been inspired by the Mazda RX-8 sports car and gives the MX-5 a more up-market appearance.
The five round gauges sit immediately in front of the driver and are easily readable even in direct sunlight.
On the road the new car is a delight to drive and - true to tradition - is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any enthusiastic driver.
Retaining its rear-wheel-drive format it's a superb handling car that doesn't disappoint.
And to make sure, I not only covered numerous road miles in it when Mazda launched the car to the international press but also tried it on a handling track where it scored little short of brilliant.
On the road both engine types deliver spirited, lively acceleration with the two-litre hitting 62 mph in 7.9 seconds and the 1.8-litre in 9.4 seconds.
But despite the difference in times on paper I found that in practice the 1.8-litre felt almost as quick and certainly as enjoyable to drive, with exactly the same handling characteristics.
The bigger engine, however, tops out at 130 mph while the 1.8-litre has a top speed of 122 mph.
You tend to sit low in the MX-5 and there is still no seat height adjustment, but this has the benefit of ensuring you are not buffeted by the wind when driving topless.
In fact it is one of the best cars I have come across in this respect and that means you could comfortably drive it with the roof down even on cool days.
Behind the heads of the driver and passenger is one of the smallest wind deflectors I have come across.
But small as it is it is it is very effective and gives 100 per cent satisfaction. A little like the MX-5 itself.
Words: Edward Stephens
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