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By Ben Whitworth
31 October 2008 11:17
This is Mazda’s new 2009 MX-5 – and in a world exclusive, CAR has driven the facelifted MX-5 seven months ahead of its UK debut to bring you the first road test of what is still the world’s most popular sports car. The news is all good…
Visually, the roadster’s petite styling has been given a small but useful dose of aggression by that new five-point lower air intake, which aligns the MX-5 with Mazda’s recent 2, 6 and current RX-8. Those rakish front foglamp housings and new bumper also beef up the new MX-5's visage, as do the more prominent side-skirts. At the rear there’s a new bumper and more prominent taillights. The individual changes may be minor but collectively they effectively update Moray Callum’s original design with an added dash of brio.
Again, it’s a raft of minor tweaks to the cosy two-seater cabin. The dials are new, as are the grippier seats – thank you, Recaro – the climate control dials are now silvered, the shiny black strip running through the dash is now a matt silver, the Bose stereo is now even more powerful and the hugely annoying door-mounted cup holders that dug into your knee no matter what driving position you adopted have been ditched. Oh, and more effective insulation means the Coupe version – the one with the folding metal roof – is now a little quieter than before.
>> Click 'Next' below to read more of CAR's Mazda MX-5 first drive review
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Mazda MX-5 2.0 (2009) CAR review
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supercarrambler says
RE: Mazda MX-5 2.0 (2009) CAR review
I'm surprised Ford has not pinched this car for their model range.
03 November 2008 09:03
thelostcos says
really joedodgy? have you seen the mazda tribute?
03 November 2008 04:58
Georgebenedek says
I'm on my third MX-5, having owned them since 1993, and I still love them. But, when is Mazda going to put the MPS3 engine into the MX-5? Not only would you have the great handling of the MX-5, but also the power of a WRX STi. Now that would be unbeatable.
03 November 2008 04:23
Batty says
Lovely little device which thoroughly deserves its reputation and continuing sales success.
02 November 2008 23:33
jer says
What a great little car. I predict a rash of warranty claims when those "floating pistons" smash into valve gear.
02 November 2008 07:24
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