Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe - 2.0 Sport- I wonder if, back in 1983 when the designers in the Mazda camp started work on an all new two seater car, the MX-5 they would ever believe it would still be going stronger than ever 24 years later. Not content with one entry to the Guinness Book of records in 2000 for Worlds Best Selling Open Top two Seater Sports Car, another entry was added in 2006 updating the number of units sold to 700,000.
The third generation MX-5 won Japanese Car of the Year 2006 and was runners up in the World Car of the Year 2006.
But things were changing in the world of open top motoring. Many manufacturers were turning to hard tops so Mazda, keeping up with the Jones’s decided to produce the MX-5 Roadster Coupe which is a virtual replica of the highly successful MX-5.
But where many manufacturers have fallen down is the shape of the car gets altered, the boot space seriously compromised and it must be a designer’s nightmare to design a hardtop or coupe that looks good both up and down. But Mazda have done this with the MX-5 Roadster Coupe.
It is only 10mm taller that the soft top versions, has lost not an ounce of it’s sisters looks, put on only 37kg in weight, but when retracted from roadster to coupe in only 12 seconds, which is fastest time on the market today, the boot space is untouched as the roof retracts into the space behind the seats therefore the luggage capacity is un-compromised. A perfect getaway car for the weekend.
Two engine choices are on offer, the 1.8 litre petrol and the 2.0 litre petrol, which was in the heart of my test car, mated to the Sport trim.
With a top speed of xxxx 0-62 in xxxx my love affair with the MX5 just got stronger. Fuel economy is a respectable zzzzzz, which was just a well, as I could not stop driving this car. The driving dynamics are out of this world. I even found myself driving 25 miles down the road to walk the dog when I have National Trust land on my doorstep.
The 2.0 litre had the option of a six speed automatic which made the driving so easy and couple that with the rack and pinion power steering, this car is simply a dream which could quite easily become a reality as prices start from a very desirable £18,500 rising to my test car £21,000 all fall into insurance group 13E.
Look wise the MX-5 Roaster Coupe is beauty personified. She has not lost any allure in her 17 years of gracing our roads, with 17 inch ten spoke alloy wheels, body coloured electrically adjusted and heated door mirrors plus door handles, the long swooping bonnet cascading into the body coloured bumper with integrated fog lights.
Inside I had all my creature comforts including i-Pod compatibility as well as lovely heated leather seats, height adjustable leather steering wheel with audio controls and electric front windows. The roof is really easy to operate by manually flicking up a lever then press a button and 12 second later, job done.
Keeping me safe is driver and passenger airbags with side airbags to protect the head and thorax, and my daughter, much to her delight was quite safe as the front seat has an ISOFIX anchors as well as a passenger seat airbag de-activator.
But I know what you are thinking, children in an MX-5 Roadster coupe - Ridiculous. The steering wheel column and brake pedals have been designed to reduce the risk of lower body injury to the driver in case of a frontal impact and if the unlikely ever occurs, that of a rollover, protection is provided to the passengers by bracing bars integrated into the A-pillars made of ultra high strength steel.
The MX-5 Roadster Coupe has an excellent active safety package that includes ABS with EBD, and DSC with Traction Control System. My 2.0 litre test car also comes with a Limited Slip Differential. Keeping the MX-5 safe from jealous would be thieves, is remote central locking with deadlocks, a Thatcham Category 1 anti theft alarm and immobiliser.
I have never been a real petrol head banging on about the attributes of x, y and z in a car nor have I been known to gush over a one.
Probably as this is my job to drive review and report back on cars. But I have to admit, this MX-5 Roadster Coupe was one of the best cars I have ever driven and I have driven hundreds. She was fun responsive and dynamic, she oozes character and has the looks to die for. I was genuinely saddened when this car had to go back to the press fleet and if I had a spare 20K she would adorn my driveway tomorrow.
Jackie Violet