Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe: open for everything

In the UK, Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe customers have a choice of three powertrains
(1.8i or 2.0i with 5-speed gearbox, 2.0i Sport with 6-speed gearbox), and a range of individual options and accessories to personalise their car. Prices for the exciting new Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe range start from £18,210 (on the road). This represents a modest premium of £1,200 over the soft top model, as both climate control air conditioning and the Option Pack are standardised on the 1.8i and 2.0i Roadster Coupe models.

“Global demand for the new Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe is already very strong, so availability is going to be a little bit restricted this year,” commented Mark Cameron, Marketing Director Mazda Motors UK.

“We have several hundred cars destined for the UK, but to be sure of obtaining the model they desire, customers should visit their nearest Mazda showroom and reserve their vehicle soon to avoid the possible disappointment of having to wait until 2007 for the car of their dreams.”

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe was available to order from July – following the global unveil at the British International Motor Show – via a pre-order website initially offering customers a choice of three range-topping models (2.0i Option Pack with Leather, 2.0i Sport and 2.0i Sport with BOSE®), for delivery from September 2006. Previous Mazda pre-order websites in the UK have proved immensely popular, with the Mazda RX-8 site selling 1,800 cars and the third generation Mazda MX-5 site finding buyers for all 300 of the special Launch Edition model – several weeks before the official on sale date.

The initial Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe launch vehicles were the 2.0-litre engine variants featuring two chamber side airbags for the head and torso as standard, integrated into the seatback sides. The upper chamber protects the occupant’s head, remains firmer and inflated longer than the lower chamber, achieving an effect similar to curtain airbags in a closed-body vehicle. The lower, smaller airbag chamber provides optimal protection for the torso. Dynamic stability control with a traction control system is also standard on 2.0i Option Pack models and above.

A choice of six body colours is available – including two new mica colours (Stormy Blue and Copper Red), plus one other mica (Galaxy Grey), one metallic (Sunlight Silver) and two solids (Brilliant Black and True Red).

Appropriate to its premium positioning, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe will not be available in the UK with steel wheels. The six-model range starts with the 1.8i Option Pack and every model will feature stylish alloy wheels as standard – 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels (on 1.8i and 2.0i Option Pack models) and 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels (on 2.0i Sport models) – to give the new model a truly premium appearance.

A first in the Mazda range, every model in the MX-5 Roadster Coupe line-up will have iPod® connectivity. The connection is located in the glovebox and the iPod® can be operated using the steering-wheel mounted audio controls. Owners can play their favourite tunes from their iPod® playlist through the car’s audio system, though the audio display will not show the artist or track name. The system is compatible with Apple iPods® only, not with other MP3 players.

Every MX-5 Roadster Coupe buyer will also be able to order a BOSE® ‘SoundDock’ home iPod® docking station at a 20% discount on the normal BOSE® retail price.

The new Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe is just 10mm taller than the soft top version and has lost none of its sister car’s beautifully balanced driving dynamics which so accurately reflect the Japanese ideal of Jinba Ittai, the symbiosis between rider and horse. Although the MX-5 Roadster Coupe weighs an extra 37kg, it still achieves an ideal 50:50 weight distribution because the roof retracts into a space behind the seats – just like the soft-top MX-5. This perfect balance between the front and rear axles ensures maximum agility and fun-to-drive motoring pleasure.

When retracted the roof leaves the boot space untouched, does not compromise luggage capacity and ensures that the driver or passenger in an MX-5 Roadster Coupe can open or close the roof quickly and easily without needing to step out of the car.

Thanks to the excellent levels of security, including a Thatcham 1 alarm and immobiliser, together with the modest overall costs of crash repair, the insurance groups for the all?new

MX-5 Roadster Coupe remain equally competitive. Improved residual values are also anticipated, making the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe an unbeatable proposition for fleet operators.