MX-5 with more oomph

By ALASTAIR SLOANE motoring editor

A new, more powerful, turbocharged variant of Mazda's iconic MX-5 roadster has pretty much replaced the standard naturally aspirated model in New Zealand.

The boosted 1.8-litre soft-top goes on sale this week, equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, premium goodies and a price of $43,995, or about $1000 cheaper than Mazda New Zealand was asking for the top-draw non-turbo model.

Says the company's marketing boss, Andrew Clearwater: "Even though the latest specifications enhance the vehicle significantly, we have realigned the price of the MX-5 to $43,995.

"That's down nearly $1000 from the previous model with an increase of over $2500 worth of specification ... this represents outstanding value."

The turbocharged car will be the only new MX-5 on sale in New Zealand. Buyers who want the naturally aspirated model - selling from $39,995 - will have to order it from Japan.

Mazda believes the MX-5 Turbo - its official handle - breathes new life into the roadster.

"The designers have stayed true to the original intent of providing an affordable sports car that is a thrill to drive and provides the driver with fun and excitement," says Clearwater.

The MX-5 Turbo features significant mechanical improvements including 17-inch alloy wheels and 205/40 R17 tyres, and a limited-slip differential.

It also boasts a full body kit, a large exhaust pipe and stainless steel scuff plates. The body kit includes a new front spoiler incorporating an extra-large air intake and recessed fog lamps, a boot spoiler and under-rear spoiler.

Mazda says the single-scroll turbocharger, with its 7.25psi maximum boost and an air-to-air intercooler, boosts the 1.8-litre engine's performance significantly and exploits the car's dynamics.

The new engine develops 121kW (162bhp) at 6000rpm and 206Nm of torque at 4500rpm. The naturally aspirated engine in the standard car puts out 113kW (151bhp) at 7000rpm and 181Nm at 5000rpm.

The extra oomph equals about 14 per cent more power and 23 per cent more torque than the standard car. Peak power arrives 1000rpm earlier and peak torque 500rpm earlier.

The booster and a modified final drive ratio helps to reduce the car's zero to 100km/h time from 8.4s to 7.8s and gives the new model more flexibility through the gears.

Inside, the interior has a number of top-drawer features, including an in-dash six-disc CD player with six speakers, power windows, aluminium foot pedals and black cloth trim with a red insert on the seats, which is carried through to the leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever.

The latest iteration of the MX-5 comes with a three-year unlimited kilometre warranty and Mazda on-call 24-hour roadside assistance for the same period. In addition, Mazda pays for scheduled servicing for the first three years or 100,000km.

The MX-5 Turbo first appeared at the 37th Tokyo motor show late last year. It is the first turbocharged factory version. Mazda Australia produced an after-market turbo MX-5 a few years ago but it wasn't sold outside Australia.

The MX-5 Turbo comes as Mazda celebrates the 700,000th MX-5 model to roll off the production line in Japan. Since its launch in 1989, the MX-5 has won more than 100 awards worldwide and become the world's bestselling roadster.

"It has become the symbol of driving pleasure in many markets around the world and is instantly recognisable as a product that embodies Mazda's Zoom-Zoom brand philosophy," says Clearwater.

"The MX-5 has proven to be extremely popular in New Zealand, with a number of clubs established by enthusiastic owners."

The roadster project was conceived in 1979 and for almost 10 years haunted Mazda's design and development centres in both Japan and the United States. Several concepts were developed, then discarded.

Mazda all along wanted a Lotus Elan-type car: front engine, rear-wheel drive, wishbone suspension all-round, snappy, short-throw gear shift in a classic two-seater design with a long bonnet, short rear end and manually operated folding cloth top.

The concept of a small, lightweight roadster with the codename LWS (lightweight sports car) eventuated and in May 1987 Mazda presented the prototype to a group of automotive experts. Reaction was unanimous: the MX-5 had the potential to become a bestseller.

In March 1989, the car was officially presented to the public in Japan. It was celebrated as the renaissance of the open-top roadster, which had been declared dead for a decade but was sorely missed.

Its success has surpassed even the most optimistic forecasts. More than 10,000 were sold in Europe alone inside the first year.

European sales soared to more than 21,000 in the peak year of 1999. Last year, despite unfavourable economic conditions, 18,700 MX-5s were sold in Europe, including 9000 in Britain, making last year the third most successful in the car's history.

One of the secrets of its success, says Mazda, is the consistency in design that has characterised the vehicle.

Although some roadster purists regretted the passing of the pop-up headlights when the second generation was launched in 1998, sales figures for the new Mazda MX-5 soared.

In addition to new headlights, more comfort and a slightly more modern design, the roadster was generally better equipped and built to a higher standard.

Special editions have become cult cars as the MX-5 evolved. The first engine was a 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit producing 87kW (116bhp) and mated to a five-speed gearbox.

In 1994, a 1.8-litre engine with 97kW (130bhp) joined the range, and the 1.6-litre engine was recalibrated in some markets to 67kW (90bhp), to ensure sufficient differentiation between the two power units. The second-generation MX-5 in 1998 saw the introduction of new versions of both four-cylinder, 16-valve engines. It was possible in some markets to choose between a 1.6-litre 82kW (110bhp) or a 1.8-litre with 104kW (140bhp). In 2001, the performance of the 1.8-litre engine was hiked to 121kW and a six-speed gearbox was introduced.

The nimble MX-5 is one of the best-handling cars made. Around 750 have been sold new in New Zealand since 1989.