Mazda MX-5 powers up for more

Once upon a time open-top affordable sports cars came from Europe bearing now-forgotten names like MG, Triumph and Lotus. As well as being affordable they were also frisky and for the most part good-looking, except for one minor detail: they were in and out of the mechanical workshop more times than John Howard and Liberals have had bad opinion polls.
Few expected this segment to be revived, let alone by Mazda, but back in 1989 the first MX-5 appeared and just over three quarters of a million have been sold since. The Mazda MX-5 is now in its third generation and with the addition of a mechanical hardtop option it appeals to an even greater audience.
Mazda have done well to respect the origins of the car, maintaining its cute exterior styling while keeping the look fresh and modern. Overall it is slightly taller and longer than its predecessor, with the wheel arches more pronounced. The bottle shape is gone, replaced by a more rounded styling that is noticeable looking down the sides from the front or back of the MX-5. The rear tail-lights are still elliptical, but now have clear lenses that are more contemporary. It’s still cute, but a touch more aggressive, which matches the increase in power and handling.
The new MX-5 interior has been improved nicely, with completely redesigned seats for better comfort and support, bottle holders in the doors, plenty of storage (even in this small a car), and some trick new features worthy of show and tell.
First is the improvement in the roof operation. The top is now a Z-fold design, and has only one latch to lock in place. If you remember the old dual-latch design, we spent more time cursing it because it rarely latched correctly the first time. Plus, it’s a one-handed operation to raise and lower. When you drop the roof, just push down on the top to lock it into place. No boot needed.
If you opt for the MX-5 coupé with its just shy of $5K hardtop option, you will experience the world’s first electric roof-retraction system that has no impact on boot space. The roof retracts in three sections into a space behind the seats, leaving the boot completely unaffected. Roof operation is easy and quick (12 seconds: the quickest of any electrically retractable hard-top on the market today), so it doesn’t interrupt driving enjoyment for long.
When it comes to safety it has the full package and nothing has been lost when it comes to drivability. It still drives like a go-kart – there is no such thing as a corner. It has loads of zip with the 2.0-litre engine now outputting more power and torque.
The exterior is smart and the interior is spacious, where even tall people have plenty of room. The manual transmission is a beauty with gear changes close and the suspension firm. Sporty steering and enthusiastic acceleration from the two-litre four will have you heading for the hills, or at least driving around town lapping up the sunny weather.
AUTO FACTS
Price: $39,910-$45,560
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo petrol
Max Power: 175kW@5,000rpm; 350Nm@2,500rpm
Transmission: six-speed Activematic
Fuel Consumption: combined 8.5L-8.8L/100kms
Good: brilliant driving dynamics
Bad: if I must – wind noise when the top is down