Mazda’s new Icon comes to town

Another Mazda is set to join the KODO Design family in Malaysia and this time it is the Mazda MX-5! It is our turn to experience the rebirth of an icon that was launched 25 years ago. We’ve seen many forms namely the NA, NB and NC, but here it is, code-named ND, revolutionised with KODO: Soul of Motion design and amped up with SKYACTIV technology.

This icon has returned lighter weighing in at 1080kg yet it is more rigid and dispenses more power. Fuel efficiency has also been improved for the car and safety has been brought to another level as well. No worries though, Mazda has made sure that the MX-5 still embodies everything that the roadster is renowned for.

The MX-5’s design was inspired by the Japanese notion of Jinba Ittai, “Jin” stands for rider “ba” for horse, “ittai” as one body. The KODO revolution has given the MX-5 the Mazda family theme making it a sharp and edgy sports car compared to the previous soft-edged design. You get four-lamp LED “sepet” headlights in the front while the rear retains the iconic U-shaped rear combination tail lights.

Another visual attraction is the 17-inch light weight alloy wheels that not only look nice but also contributes to the lightness of the car. The MX-5 comes with a soft top to give it the pure form of a roadster, no fancy mechanics here but even though it is manually operated, it is still easy to stow and deploy.

In the front stows a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre, in-line four DOHC 16V engine mated to the SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed automatic that will power the roadster’s rear-wheels to 158bhp at 6000rpm and a total torque of 200Nm at 4000rpm. Double-wishbone suspensions holds the car up at the front while Multi-links works at the rear, ventilated and solid disc brakes are attached to slow the car down.

Inside, you get an essentially Mazda interior like the seven-inch LCD touchscreen colour monitor that displays the latest MZD Connect technology and a commander control on the centre console that provides drivers the intuitive and accurate blind operation of the system. The standard leather upholstery wraps not just the comfortable semi-buckets but two of the nine-speakers from the Bose Premium Sound System as well.

Other SKYACTIV Technology includes i-Stop and i-Eloop, the combination of these gives the MX-5 good fuel economy numbers even for a compact sport car. In terms of safety the MX-5 is equipped with two front airbags and two side-airbags with head-protecting cell to safeguard occupants’ head even when the top is down along with ABS with EBD, Brake Assist and many more. Owners will also get Adaptive Front Lighting, High Beam Control System and Lane Departure Warning System in the roadster.

The Mazda MX-5 is yours at RM219,998.80 on the road without insurance and inclusive of GST. Pick from a choice of four colours: Soul Red Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, Meteor Grey and Jet Black.

Currently, only a manual soft top is available in Malaysia, but Bermaz Motors are contemplating on bringing in a lightweight automated retractable hard top as an additional variant. No thoughts at all are being made on bringing in a manual transmission though, so manual lovers, don’t keep your hopes up.

Jerrica Leong