The all-new Mazda MX-5 has been crowned 2016 Telegraph Car of the Year. Adding to an award tally that includes the 2016 World Car of the Year, 2016 UK Car of the Year and 2015/6 Japan Car of the Year titles, the MX-5 was also named Sports Car of the Year by The Telegraph.
Chris Knapman, Head of Motoring at The Telegraph, said: “Among an incredibly strong list of category winners, the Mazda MX-5 is thoroughly deserving of the overall Car of the Year title. Our judges all loved the way it delivers such back-to-basics simplicity without sacrificing any of the modern safety or connectivity that buyers expect. That it is also so affordable to buy and run only adds to its appeal.”
Jeremy Thomson, Mazda Motors UK Managing Director, said: “We are delighted that the all-new Mazda MX-5 has been honoured in this year’s Daily Telegraph motoring awards. This car symbolises all that is great about our products. Its fun to drive character has strengthened the connection between Mazda and its customers for more than 25 years, and today it’s the definitive example of how our SKYACTIV Technology and KODO design philosophy help us create stylish, spirited and great to drive cars.”
The one-millionth MX-5 recently rolled off the production line, and with over 120,000 sales since its launch in 1990, the UK has played a huge part in the MX-5 success story. Today, the all-new Mazda MX-5 has reaffirmed Mazda’s dominance of the small sports car sector, and we’re delighted that with their Sports Car of the Year title, The Daily Telegraph has recognised that our engineers have created an all-new sports car that incorporates modern safety and superb efficiency with the driver focused enjoyment the original MX-5 was famed for.”
Even better, taking the Telegraph’s overall Car of the Year title emphasises the broad the appeal of our iconic sports car. A car that represents better value than ever: when it was launched in 1990, the 115ps Mk1 MX-5 cost £14,249 (equal to £31,687 in today’s money), yet 25 years later with vastly more standard equipment, the all-new Mazda MX-5 costs from £18,495, meaning more than ever, the Mazda MX-5 sets the benchmark as the one of the world’s best and most affordable sports cars.
With a bumper summer of MX-5 convertible sales ahead of us and the arrival of the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF next year, I’m sure the next chapter of the MX-5 success story will be even more exciting”.
