Mazda MX-5 freshens up
The new-look Mazda MX-5 has broken cover in Japan, boasting minor changes to the interior and a lower kerb massThe wraps have come off Mazda's updated MX-5, the world's best-selling convertible, revealing a more assertive front end design, subtle interior upgrades, a lower kerb weight plus braking and throttling tweaks.
Known as the Miata in some countries, visual changes to the MX-5's front bumper comprise larger grille openings, new front fog lamp bezels and a more prominent chin spoiler and in addition to a new colour, grey, the interior is now offered with tan leather upholstery.
Motoring.com.au understands that Mazda dealers in Australia will begin selling the new-look Mazda MX-5 by year's end and Mazda has designs to show the new model at October's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.
Soft and hard top versions of the convertible will be offered with the new look, and pricing is expected to remain unchanged, starting at around $42,460 for the soft-top and rising to $49,325 for the top-spec version with a metal folding roof.
Mazda is calling the new model a 'refresh' and says the updated MX-5 will be more involving for drivers, thanks to recalibration of the throttle management programs. In other words, the accelerator pedal is more sensitive to input, and "more responsive when accelerating out of corners" claims Mazda.
The adjusted throttle mapping is only for manual models however - automatic variants make do with last year's set up.
All refreshed Mazda MX-5 models benefit also from brake booster adjustments, which are supposed to improve brake pedal feel and "make it easier to control the front and rear load distribution," while "increasing the feel of mastery over the vehicle," says Mazda.
Improvements to pedestrian safety have also been implemented, with an active bonnet system lifting the whole panel if it detects a pedestrian impact, reducing the severity of head trauma.
Several weight saving measures have also been implemented and though Mazda hasn't said exactly how much weight has been saved, new 17-inch wheels, the new front bumper, bonnet and internal wiring all contribute to a lower mass.
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