Sun Up, Hood Down - the new Mazda MX-5

Well I cannot do anything about the weather or indeed finding you a traffic free open road but I can steer you in the direction of the right sports car to use.

As we know, us Brits love convertibles of all types and the growth of the cabriolet coupe versions of normal saloons is giving the sector a boom in sales. We are the second largest market in Europe behind Germany for such vehicles.

But with the demise of the traditional affordable true front engine rear wheel drive open top sports car such as the Triumph TRs and MGs, unless you pay a lot of money for expensive Morgans, Mercedes, Porches or BMWs, there is not much choice. There is the very good Honda S2000, the last few Toyota MR2s and probably the most popular and affordable of all the new Mazda MX-5.

The MX-5, now in its third generation and throughout its long history, has been a worldwide sales success because of its true open top sports car styling, performance and affordability. It has been showered with awards by motoring publications, not just in the UK but worldwide. It has even found its way into the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful open two-seater sports car of all time.

The latest all-new models are no exception and demand is higher than it has ever been. The announcement last week that a retractable hardtop version, to be known as the MX-5 Roadster Coupe, will be added to the range at the end of this year will broaden the car’s appeal still further. Because the UK is such an important market for the MX-5 the new Roadster Coupe variant will make its world debut at the British International Motor show in London in July.

Affordability and reasonable running costs have always been major attractions for customers of the MX-5 and the latest models are no exception. The three model line-up starts at £15,650 for the 1.8i rising to £17,450 for the 2.0i and £18,959 for the 2.0i Sport.

The 1.8-litre petrol engine gives 124bhp and the 2.0-litre engine 158bhp. Both these have a five-speed transmission as standard but the Sport version has a six-speed close ratio gearbox. The 2.0i model can also be specified with the six-speed transmission. Both engines are new. They are four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft Euro IV compliant units and they are mounted longitudinally under the bonnet. Drive of course is to the rear wheels.

There is a wide range of extra cost options so the MX-5 owner can customise the car to their own requirements. The options vary from air conditioning to leather trim, to a BOSE audio system to side airbags. There are also body styling options from front air dam skirts through to and detachable hardtop.

The new MX-5 now looks more of a chunky muscle sports car thanks to its wider, and slightly longer bodyshell with flared wheel arches and more pronounced front and rear bumper sections. The interior is more spacious making driving more comfortable especially on long journeys. There are three practical storage compartments in the cockpit behind the two seats and the boot is marginally larger as well, enough space for two soft weekend bags and coats. The proportions are now just right and the elegant long bonnet confirms the MX-5 as a true classic sports car.

The all important soft-top can be opened with one hand and lowered into the storage compartment between the back of the two seats and the boot area in only six seconds. It is just as easy to put the hood up again as well and you do not need to get out of the car to do it. Because the hood folds down and out of site it fits flush with the boot lid doing away with the need for a tonneau cover. Effectively simple and stylish. A wind blocker aero screen behind the high backed seats reduces blustery wind intrusion into the car during top down cruising speeds. With the top up there is a reasonable amount of insulation from the wind noise.

The simple cockpit is well laid out and pretty well equipped. Being roomier, access in to and out of the MX-5 has been improved. The sports style instrumentation gives a modern touch to a classic layout and it is not over-done with too much refinement and glitz.

Because the MX-5 is built as a sports car, not a coupe or saloon with the top cut off, the structural integrity of the bodyshell is first class. There is no shudder or scuttle shake with the hood down, the car feels torsionally stiff and strong. All this adds up to comfortable ride even over poor surfaces and a rewarding drive. The steering is precise and pin-sharp accurate with good feedback. The rear wheel drive gives excellent grip under acceleration during cornering so the balance of the car is just about perfect. Yes I was driving the Sport model with its larger wheels and uprated suspension but the ride quality was not harsh, unlike so many other Sports models.

So we have a good looking, good handling classic sports car but in terms of performance is it is the complete package? I have not driven the 1.8i litre version but I’m told it is adequate and for the price and is probably the best overall model to purchase if you use your MX-5 for summer motoring and short commuter journeys. The 2.0-litre version does give the MX-5 more get up and go but needs to be pushed hard to achieve real sports car performance. It is responsive at low and medium speeds and quiet when cruising but if you want true sports car performance you need to use all of the engine’s high revving characteristics but then it sounds stressed. For the record the official overall fuel consumption for the 2.0i models is 36.7mpg, a figure which my test car almost met and I would expect to get nearer the 40mpg mark on longer motorway journeys.

The MX-5 has always been a good car as its worldwide sales success proves. It is now even better in most areas. My advice, buy the value for money 1.8i model with a few extras such as air-conditioning.

MILESTONES.
Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport with BOSE and air conditioning.
Price: £20,065.
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol 160PS (158bhp) at 6,700rpm, 188Nm of torque from 2,500rpm.
Performance: 130mph, 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds, 36.7mpg, CO2, 193 g/km.
VED: Band F.
Insurance: 13E.