MX-5
October 5th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
Sure it may not appeal to tough guys out there but it’s hard to deny the importance and the success of Mazda’s MX-5 roadster. The MX-5, is the best-selling two-seater sports car in the world and is showing no signs of letting up. It was first launched back in 1989, the MX-5 has stayed strong through three generations and now has a new special edition for the Japanese domestic market
Named the Black Tuned Edition, this dressed up MX-5 will give Japanese buyers a little more for their money. Based on the retractable hardtop model, the special edition keeps the standard 2.0-litre engine mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed automatic transmission.
Special design features include a gloss black retractable hard top and exterior mirrors and black metallic 17-inch alloy wheels. The Black Tuned Edition can be had in a choice of three body colours, with two (Spirited Green Metallic and Velocity Red Mica) exclusive to the limited edition.
In the cabin, special features are limited to full black leather trim with yellow stitching on the seats and the steering wheel plus liberal use of piano black trim on the dashboard.
All up, it’s not a bad take on the MX-5, but without any performance upgrades it will appeal more to those who want to look good rather than drive hard.
May 18th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
In a normal world Mazda’s MX-5 and a dusty old rat rod populate opposite ends of the automotive spectrum. One handy American car enthusiast didn’t accept that fact, and has combined the two into a bespoke machine that’s 
certainly one-of-a-kind. Viewing the photo above it’s difficult to see that the car in the picture actually started its life in the Mazda factory as an MX-5 convertible. So how exactly did it become a zombie rat rod?
The owner of this Frankenstein monster was out driving his 1996 MX-5 one day when he was hit from behind and his drop-top was wrecked. When most owners would get the remains towed to the scrap heap he decided to embark on a different project. He salvaged the engine, transmission, rear differential, gauges, suspension and steering components from the mangled Mazda. Next he set about custom-fabricating a frame from the remains of the crash-damaged car. Front and rear sub-frames were attached, and this allowed for the stock steering and suspension points to be reused.
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February 7th, 2011 by NZ Classic Car
The Mazda MX-5 has just broken its own Guinness World Record for the “Best sellling two-seat sports car”. To achieve this feat the little Mazda needed 21 years and countless jokes about it being a girl’s car, but no one is laughing now. The 900,000th MX-5 has just rolled off the assembly line in Hiroshima, Japan.
The MX-5 originally achieved the new world record when it reached 531, 890 units back in May, 2000. The Guinness World Record has been updated every 100,000 units since and Mazda is now going to reapply to have the record updated to 900,000.
Originally created to capture the essence of classic British roadsters, the 1989 MX-5 won over critics with its simplicity and engaging driving dynamics.
Nobuhiro Yamamoto, the program manager of the current MX-5 said, “Since Mazda launched the original MX-5, it has undergone two complete product redesigns and a series of upgrades. Its enduring success is due to the strong support it enjoys from MX-5 fans around the world. Going forward, I will strive to keep the MX-5′s spirit alive while evolving it into a car that will be loved by even more people.”
August 4th, 2010 by NZ Classic Car
Japan’s most famous replica maker, Mitsuoka, has just released another special edition version of its Mazda MX-5-based Himiko roadster. This time around, Mitsuoka has crafted a soft-top version of the Himiko Classic Edition, which was available up until now only with a power-retractable roof.
The soft-top model gets the same two-tone, black and red exterior paint job with an ornate chrome strip running on the sides, as the hardtop Himiko Classic HT. Inside, the stock MX-5 interior is reworked with red-leather seats and luxury wood trim accents.
The long-bonnet roadster, which pays obvious homage to classic British automobiles from MG and Morgan, is available with the MX-5′s 2.0-litre four-pot producing 170HP when mated to a five-speed manual and 162HP when linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Production will exclusively be limited to 20 examples with prices starting from ¥4,880,000 (about $77,500 NZ) in Japan.
July 2nd, 2010 by NZ Classic Car
The Mazda MX-5 has received its fair share of special editions recently, and the very latest is the ‘Miyako’. Borrowing its name from the Japanese holiday island the new edition will go on sale in Britain from today.
As part of the year-long celebrations of 20 years of MX-5 production, the “summer special edition” Miyako is available in two forms, the 126HP 1.8i Miyako soft-top and the more powerful 160HP 2.0i Miyako roadster coupe with a folding hardtop.
So what makes the Miyako so special? Well it gets larger 17-inch alloy wheels, standard fog lamps and a front suspension strut brace for improved steering response. Both versions of the MX-5 Miyako will be available in Aluminium Silver Metallic, while the soft-top is also being built in Velocity Red Mica.
It is the first special edition that you can have in both ragtop and folding tin-top forms, with only 500 units available they may go quick. Prices start at £18,385 ($40,000 NZ).
February 15th, 2010 by NZ Classic Car
Mazda will put a limited edition version of the MX-5 on sale next month to celebrate the roadster’s 20th anniversary. The car will only be available in the UK at this stage and will be sold for £16,850.
The anniversary model is based on the 1.8-litre SE trim level. Despite 10 pieces of optional equipment, the special edition car sill cost just £55 more than the SE would normally.
Added equipment includes body-colored roll bars, and 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels painted in silver. Along with chrome exterior trim, and fog lights, the car comes with a strut brace, body-coloured dashboard, aluminum pedals, and air conditioning. Unique “20th Anniversary” badging features on the scuff plates and floor mats.
Mazda plans to produce 1875 units for Europe of the Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary edition, with 600 headed to UK.
Mazda hasn’t mentioned if the colourful graphics will be included as an option.
February 3rd, 2010 by NZ Classic Car
Mazda’s MX-5 has traveled a long way in the past two decades here in New Zealand. Once shunned as a hairdressers car, lacking in power and serious street cred, Mazda have turned it into a razor-sharp handling, mean machine. Now, to celebrate the MX-5′s 20th birthday, Mazda will unveil a special anniversary edition of its rear-wheel drive roadster at the Geneva Motor Show this March. Not so creatively named the MX-5 20th Anniversary Edition, the vehicle will have a limited production run of just 2,000 units and will only be available in Europe.
Based on the 1.8-litre model, the limited edition MX-5 comes with a unique exterior styling package that includes chrome grille, door handles and headlight fascia along with silver fog lamp surrounds, 17-inch alloy wheels and 20th Anniversary badging.
It’s to be produced in thre available exterior colors – True Red, Crystal White Pearl and, specific for this edition, a new Aurora Blue, with matching body-color painted interior trim.
A front suspension bracing bar and a scuff plate in stainless steel with its unique serial number (from 1 to 2000) round off the special treatment.
December 16th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
Recent reports have suggested that the next generation Mazda MX-5 will be lighter and smaller than the current model. Now, there are reports stating that the new model will achieve an almost unbelievable fuel economy figure of just 3.4 l/100km – compared to 8.1 l/100km for the current generation MX-5.
The massive gain in fuel economy is expected to come thanks to the next MX-5’s rumoured 1000kg kerb weight (only 60kg heavier than the original MX-5) and Mazda’s new SKY-G petrol engine.
Mazda says that enhanced thermal efficiency is one reason the new Sky-G direct injection petrol engine offers significantly improved fuel economy over the carmaker’s current 2.0 litre engine.
The Sky-G motor makes use of an all-new engine block, designed to reduce mechanical friction and produce an optimal air-fuel mix.
Mazda also claims the new Sky-Drive automatic transmission chips in as well and improves fuel economy by approximately five percent. But whether the low reported fuel figures are based on an automatic or manual variant of the new MX-5 is unclear.
With the demands of modern safety requirements the next MX-5 will probably be only slightly smaller than the current model, meaning that smart design and lightweight construction will be vital for the success of the next generation MX-5.
To prove it’s all possible Mazda’s MX-5 Superlight concept (pictured) revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show weighed in at just 995kg, thanks to numerous weight-saving techniques.
