During the second weekend of June, more than 200 Mazda MX-5 / Miata roadsters of all sorts of colors and types took part at the model's 20th anniversary birthday party, which was organized in cooperation with MX-5 clubs around Europe, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. Our French friends from Supervroum2 participated in the event following the huge convoy of Miata roadsters to the Le Mans circuit. Watch the video after the jump.
As the saying goes, if you can't beat them, you might as well join them. Following Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi's 180 degree turn on the embracement of hybrid technologies that came at the New York Auto Show in April, the company's Executive Vice President Philip Spender announced new details on Mazda's future hybrid plans during the Japanese launch event of the 2010 Axela (Mazda3). "We've started to talk a lot more about it lately, in part because everybody else is," Spender said. "Mazda is responding partly to new government incentives and emissions rules," he added.
Spender revealed that Mazda will not develop a standalone hybrid model but instead the firm will offer gasoline-electric drivetrains as an option on existing models in its portfolio with the first cars expected in the "20-teens".
The Mazda executive did not disclose details on which models would get a hybrid drivetrain option, but we gather that the Mazda3 and Mazda6 as well as the firm's SUV/Crossover models will be among the first in line. And how about Mazda's sportscars like the MX-5 / Miata roadster? Your guess is as good as ours, but feel free to state your thoughts in the comment section below.
Via: Autonews (Sub. Req.)
It's been 20 years since Mazda blew the covers off the MX-5 / Miata roadster at the Chicago Motor Show in February 1989 and to celebrate, Mazda's European arm is holding a special birthday party at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that takes place on 13 and 14 June. A total of 200 MX-5s from all over Europe will meet at the race track with Mazda promising to give owners and fans of the car a special treat. The package that Mazda has readied for MX-5 owners includes a place for their car, an anniversary polo shirt, a rally plate, dinner and breakfast and of course, the chance to experience the race live at a special Mazda Camp reserved for them bordering the circuit.A "Best of Show" competition will also be held during the event with a special award going to the most beautiful MX-5. Those that wish to participate can contact their national MX-5 club or visit the Mazda France website www.mazda.fr for more detailed information on how to sign up for the event that costs €100 (about $140 US).
Even in its latest form, the Mazda MX-5 / Miata roadster has more retro-style charm than a pair of classic Rayban sunglasses, but if you're still not satisfied, you could always opt for an outfit in the likes of MonoCraft's MH1. The Japanese company offers a full makeover for the roadster with a new front fascia complete with uniquely styled hood, bumper and fenders. The result brings to mind several cars including the previous Lotus Elise and the Toyota MR-2. MonoCraft also overhauls the rear end that gains a new bumper, an integrated boot spoiler and a specific fascia with Lotus Elise-like tail lamps.
Customers can choose from a variety of alloy wheel designs while the company also offers numerous interior upgrades including a full leather treatment. Now, whether or not MonoCraft's proposal is worth the fuss (and the money), is something we'll leave for you to decide.
The upgraded and cosmetically refreshed MX-5 will arrive at Mazda's UK dealerships this April with prices starting from £16,345 for the soft-top model and from £18,345 for the Roadster Coupe with the retractable hardtop. For 2009, MX-5's UK customers have a choice of four powertrains, all of which have been fine-tuned to use less fuel. These include the 126HP 1.8-liter and the 160HP 2.0-liter with five-speed gearbox, the 160HP 2.0i-liter with a six-speed manual gearbox and the new 160HP 2.0-liter 'PowerShift' six-speed sequential paddle-shift auto transmission.
All 2009 MY MX-5s come with alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake, plus an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a new auxiliary (AUX) input jack for MP3 and iPod connection. The 2.0i models feature DSC (dynamic stability control), TCS (traction control system), a Limited Slip Differential and side airbags. Climate control air conditioning is a £550 option on these models.
The Sport models (priced from £19,695) are equipped with new 17-inch alloy wheels, uprated Bilstein dampers, a front suspension strut bracing bar, a six-speed manual transmission, front fog lamps and heated leather seats. New specification additions include climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a premium BOSE audio system with 6-CD changer and seven speakers, and Bluetooth technology with voice recognition for hands-free telephoning.
Upgraded Mazda MX-5 Price List – April 2009
Mazda MX-5 | Power | 'On the road' |
1.8i | 126 | £16,345 |
1.8i Air Con | 126 | £16,895 |
2.0i | 160 | £17,345 |
2.0i Air Con | 160 | £17,895 |
2.0i Sport | 160 | £19,695 |
2.0i PowerShift | 160 | £20,195 |
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe |
|
|
1.8i | 126 | £18,345 |
1.8i with leather | 126 | £19,050 |
2.0i | 160 | £19,345 |
2.0i with leather | 160 | £20,050 |
2.0i Sport | 160 | £21,195 |
2.0i PowerShift | 160 | £21,695 |
The refreshed 2009 Mazda MX-5 / Miata made its global debut at the Paris Motor Show. The most apparent changes concern the more aggressively styled front end that incorporates elements from Mazda’s newer models like the larger grille as well as new headlights and fog lamp surrounds. Furthermore, Mazda’s designers restyled the side skirts, rear bumper and the tail lights which now feature a more elliptical motif while the alloy designs are also new. Additionally, the hartop Roadster Coupe now sports a mesh grille framed by a chrome ring and chrome detailing on the headlamp inner bezels and outer door handles. -Continued
The 2009 MX-5 / Miata’s cabin gains darker decorative surfaces on the instrument panel, new silver trim, redesigned graphics for the gauges while Mazda also eliminated a protrusion from the outer surface of each door pocket to create more leg space.
Under the hood, the upgraded 160HP 2.0-liter engine features a 500 rpm higher rev limit as well as sportier sound when accelerating thanks a newly developed device that Mazda calls Induction Sound Enhancer (I/8SE). This device supposedly amplifies the pulses that occur when an accelerator input opens the throttle valve to increase air flow into the engine.
The 6-speed manual gearbox has also been revised to offer smoother shifts while the six-speed automatic transmission is available for the first time in
Once again, the cat, or in our case, the 2009 MX-5 has been let out of the bag earlier than expected as the first full image gallery of Mazda's facelifted roadster has just hit the web. This time we have official photos of both the soft- and hard-top versions of the Miata / MX-5. We’re still a bit short on details as Mazda has not released any official info -or any more pics other than this one for that matter. However, apart from the redesigned front-end, the photos reveal that the 2009 MX-5 / Miata also sports new tail lamps and a slightly revised rear bumper. Judging from the pictures, it appears that there aren’t any notable changes in the interior. Hit the jump for the high-res image gallery and stay tuned for more details. -Continued
