Mazda’s iconic roadster is once again proving its popularity with British sports car drivers. Ahead of its official on-sale date of the 29th August, advanced orders of the all-new Mazda MX-5 have passed the one thousand mark, with UK buyers spending more than £20 million as they rush to get hold of the fourth-generation of the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car.
With prices starting from £18,495 (OTR), the all-new Mazda MX-5 is set to reaffirm Mazda’s dominance of the affordable sports car sector. Maintaining the driver-focused ethos it’s famed for, the latest MX-5 was conceived and developed under the concept of “innovate in order to preserve”. This engineering philosophy has allowed Mazda to maintain the agility, fun and engagement that has always defined the MX-5 while at the same time meeting ever-increasing safety and efficiency requirements, alongside improved refinement.
“The MX-5 is our brand icon and its fun to drive character has strengthened the bond between Mazda and its customers for 25 years”, commented Jeremy Thomson, Mazda Motors UK Managing Director. “So we’re delighted with the reaction to the new car, it’s won praise and awards from the press, and most importantly it’s resonating with our customers who have been placing orders well-ahead of its arrival in dealerships. With demonstrators arriving in showrooms this weekend, I’m sure we’re going to see even more demand, as customers get to drive the car and experience it first-hand.”
Since its UK launch in 1990, the Mazda MX-5 has maintained its unrivalled position as the spiritual successor to the traditional British sports car. Across the first three generations, 116,517 MX-5s have been sold in the UK and with exceptionally strong early orders, the all-new fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 is set to build on that sales success.
“With heavy demand for our latest sports car there’s no time to waste when it comes to getting behind the wheel of the all-new Mazda MX-5, and this weekend will see the car make its debut across our dealer network.”, commented Peter Allibon, Sales Director of Mazda Motors UK.
Featuring Mazda’s award-winning SKYACTIV technology, the all-new MX-5’s 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre ultra-efficient lightweight petrol engines deliver new levels of performance and economy, and with the 1.5-litre engine currently accounting for 54 per cent of pre-order sales, both engines are proving to be popular with UK buyers.
With a superior power to weight ratio, rear-wheel drive, perfect 50:50 weight distribution and more comfort and technology than ever before, the all-new Mazda MX-5 comes with generous standard equipment. From SE-L models onwards it features climate control air-conditioning, DAB radio, Bluetooth® and cruise control, plus Mazda’s MZD-Connect connectivity and infotainment system with 7-inch Colour touch-screen display and Multimedia Commander. SE-L models with the 2.0-litre 160ps engine are distinguished by 17-inch Gunmetal alloy wheels and piano black door mirrors, and benefit from a strut brace and limited slip differential.
Step up to Sport trim and both the 1.5 and 2.0-litre cars feature rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, smart keyless entry, Premium Bose® sound system and heated leather seats. With the 1.5-litre 131ps engine, Sport trim MX-5’s come with 16-inch Gunmetal alloy wheels and piano black door mirrors. Sport models with the 2.0-litre 160ps engine benefit from a dynamic set-up that includes Sports suspension featuring Bilstein dampers, a limited slip differential and strut brace, while visually, they are marked out by their 17-inch Bright alloy wheels and body coloured door mirrors.
Versions of the all-new Mazda MX-5 fitted with Mazda’s integrated navigation system come with three-years of free European map upgrades, while the range topping 2.0-litre 160ps Sport Nav is available with the optional £350 Safety Pack, which includes High Beam Control and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The lightest MX-5 since the iconic original, the all-new Mazda MX-5 is shorter, lower and wider than the outgoing car, with the smallest overhangs and lowest centre of gravity yet. These dynamic proportions, combined with Mazda’s KODO: Soul of Motion design philosophy, ensure that the all-new Mazda MX-5’s styling reflects its focus on driving pleasure in an unmistakably contemporary and dynamic way.
Filled to the brim with the undiluted driving pleasure you’d expect, but matched to never seen before levels of comfort, equipment, refinement and sophistication, the all-new Mazda MX-5 is already winning over UK sports car buyers.
