Mazda MX-5 News

The makeover of the MX-5 will see it through to the next generation, expected to arrive later this year or early in 2013.

  The roadster will be based on the rear-wheel drive MX-5 platform and built at Mazda’s plant in Hiroshima, Japan. However the two cars will be given individual styling treatment – and carry different engines – for each of the badges. A statement from Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said the joint project highlighted Fiat’s commitment to building Alfa Romeo into “a truly global brand”. “By partnering with Mazda, we will be co-operating with the recognised leader in compact rear-drive vehicle architectures in order to deliver an exciting and stylish roadster in the Alfa Romeo tradition. We are appreciative of this collaboration with Mazda and look forward to maintaining a fruitful and continuous relationship,” the statement said. Mazda hinted that the collaboration would be followed by others. “Establishing technology and product development alliances is one of Mazda’s corporate objectives and this announcement with Fiat is an important first step in that direction,” the Japanese carmaker’s CEO Takashi Yamanouchi said. The announcement said the Alfa-Romeo version of the car would start rolling off the production line in 2015, which means the new MX-5 could arrive in showrooms ahead of its Italian relation –possibly by early 2014 at the latest -- although Mazda is not ready to confirm dates yet. “We haven’t made any announcement of a production start date for the next MX-5,” was all Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver would share on the subject. However he was clear on which side of the partnership would be responsible for development of the project – and why. “Rear-wheel drive has been the basis of the MX-5’s success over the years,” he pointed out. “We will lead the development, with the project based on the next generation MX-5 platform with Skyactiv technology and the benefit of Mazda suspension tune and dynamics. However my understanding is that Alfa will use a Fiat powertrain.” Both companies have been seeking partnerships in the crusade to trim costs and expand markets. Marchionne has said previously Fiat’s brands (including Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge) need to expand to annual global sales of 6 million – a 60 per cent rise on the 2010 total of 3.6 million. Meantime Mazda, despite its success in the Australian market, had global sales of 1.3 million and is looking to head of a fourth year of losses by activating more volume at its factories.

We can expect a more aggressive look, as this Carparazzi illustration shows, as well as SkyActiv powertrain technology.If the Australian dollar holds up the starting price when it arrives in 2013 is also likely to be closer to $40,000 than today.

Mazda has indicated it is considering putting rotary power back into a sports car, possibly in the form of a merger between the MX-5 and the RX-8. Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi has repeatedly ensured the future of the rotary powerplant - despite the RX-8 production scheduled to end in 2012 - "we will continue the research on the rotary engine - we won't extinguish the flame of the rotary engine," he said.The joint-venture sports coupe developed by Toyota and Subaru has kept the door open for a rotary sports car from Mazda, including the possibility of a rotary-powered MX-5."That kind of product is iconic for our brand, so the current MX-5 or RX-8 we have decided in the future to maintain that kind of product, I can't say if they will be separate - they may be merged into one," the CEO says.Mazda Research and development director Hirotaka Kanazawa confirmed the next MX-5 would remain naturally-aspirated with a Skyactiv powerplant of similar outputs to the current car's 118kW/188Nm outputs (for example, the incoming CX-5 SUV has a direct-injection two-litre producing 114kW and 196Nm), but less burdened by weight.The modern-classic Mazda sportscar will be taken back to its roots, with weight reduction targets aimed at taking the 1135kg two-seater (in its lightest guise) below a one tonne kerb weight, while retaining a soft top and hard top model."We want to go back to the lightweight sports origins, the power is not so much, it is easy to handle and it is fun to drive," he says. Kanazawa-san also says the company is aiming to reduce weight without compromising crash safety performance, which would entail using Skyactiv high-strength steel body structures and composite plastic materials for a hard-top. "We must achieve crash safety, starting with CX-5 the Skyactiv body with load paths and enhanced crash safety, we will apply this to our rear-wheel drive."The R&D director didn't rule out turbocharged versions of the sub-two-litre Skyactiv engines - "We haven't decided that we won't do turbocharging, but first of all we wanted to enhance combustion efficiency of naturally-aspirated engine, that was our first priority"- but maintains the first priority was developing naturally-aspirated engines.

When it comes to used dream cars, the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III takes the cake.

I was one of six Australian motoring journalists to compete last week in a promotional Mazda MX-5 race on a frozen Swedish lake.  We approached the event cautiously as most of us had never driven on snow, let alone ice. But having now represented our country so successfully, all I can say is bring on the ice age so we can all tear around in rear-wheel-drive open-top roadsters. THE IDEA Mazda Europe boss Jeffrey Guyton says the event was a follow-up to last year's invitational tarmac race in Venice to celebrate the MX-5's 20th anniversary. "We were hoping for more teams this year and really happy to see Australia participate," he says.  "The idea is to have fun and I can see from the smiles that it has been successful." He wouldn't say how much the exercise cost, however it must have been an expensive promotional event.  Mazda invited 120 drivers from 25 European countries plus Australia to drive 20 race-prepared cars on a specially constructed ice course on Lake Kallsjon in northern Sweden.  Over the two days the drivers covered 11,000km at 550km per car over 157 driving hours. Before heading over to Sweden to represent Australia's motoring media, I asked V8 Supercar legend Craig Lowndes for some advice, but he just laughed.  "You've got to be kidding; a short-wheelbased, rear-wheel-drive open-top car on ice? Good luck." Former World Rally Championship driver Chris Atkinson was a little more constructive with his tips to another of our team. He said racing on ice was like driving on gravel. He suggested we keep the wheels spinning so the 300 nipple-shaped metal studs on the tyres break through the slippery ice surface. Race director Pontus Sandell advised: "You won't win this race in one lap or even one race.  The whole two days of practice, qualifying and racing will be important."THE COURSE The 4.9km track was graded into 60cm-thick ice on the artificial lake surface in a tight slalom of 23 left corners and 20 rights.  It varied from 10-15m wide with slushy snow banks on either side to beach cars that slid wide. Temperatures on the two days ranged from a balmy -10C to a bracing -30C with conditions changing throughout the day as bright sunshine melted the surface, only to freeze again later in the day.  Like any ski field, the course was carved up during the day. By afternoon, it was bumpier than a stage of the Australasian Safari.THE CAR Despite Lowndes's skepticism and our fears, the rear-wheel-drive MX-5 was hot on the ice.  Sure, it had limited grip, but that was what made it such fun.  Our car was number 21 as there was no number 13. All race cars are stripped for weight.  Gone are the soft top, roll bar, fog lights, insulation, carpet, wheel liners, sound system, airbags, seats, exhaust and suspension springs. It gets a racing body kit, rear wing, diffuser, carbonfibre trim, racing seats, four-point racing harness, roll cage, 320mm racing steering wheel, lap timer and fire extinguisher. One driver joked that if the car is on fire, just drive it deep into a snow bank. In the Aussie car, the centre console had the added weight of a packet of Tim Tams.  The race cars also get a limited-slip differential, racing clutch and brakes, special powertrain control module, a stainless-steel exhaust system that belches out a macho tone and anti-freeze coolant, transmission fluid and oil. Underneath is racing suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, and, of course, special ice tyres with 300 small metal studs. Surprisingly, the open-top roadster was quite warm with the windows up and the heater belting out hot air into the cockpit bubble. Or maybe it was the nervous energy we put into qualifying and the race that had us pitting in a lather of sweat. Bump and rebound was the only adjustment allowed, apart from tyre pressures. Our race mechanic, Markus Lungstrass - a driver trainer at Germany's Nurburgring - checked the pressures but left the suspension as is.  Later in the day when the bumps became bigger, we were grateful. THE DRIVERS Our team was comprised of six motoring journalists including Big Wheels reporter James Stanford and me representing Carsguide.  Stanford was our quickest driver setting the pole time of 4:41, six seconds better than anyone else in the field. The amateur part-time club rallycross driver went on to set a race lap record of 1:38. The other teams also brought a wealth of talented drivers, including the Russian national ice-racing champion, Sergey Voskresenskiy, while Switzerland had former F1 driver Rene Arnoux. "I've raced on ice before, but never on a big course like this," Arnoux says in his flambouyant Swiss-French accent.  "This is very long and very interesting. The track I race on in France is only 600m." Some countries couldn't muster enough drivers for a full team, so they shared cars with other countries.  The Italians shared our pit bay, but seemed more interested in drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.  In one pit stop debacle, their car entered the bay and the next driver still had his snow overboots on, and no helmet or gloves. After some cross words from the race manager they could be seen with three drivers prepared with their helmets on in the pits while still trying to smoke. The UK entered two teams and Germany three.Mazda design boss Ikuo Maeda - known as "Speedy" because of his motorsport involvement - drove for one of the German teams. "When I enjoy racing it stimulates emotion and that is important for stylists. They need passion," he says.  "This is the first time for me on the ice, though." THE METHOD As Atkinson says, ice racing is like driving on gravel. And the course was so tight we only used second and third gear.  What is surprising is how much motorsport fun you can have without needing big power. In fact, we find sticking to third gear allowed us to control the torque oversteer much better. We only used second to slow for tight corners, turn in early, chuck it sideways and throttle out in third as straight as possible to avoid wasting momentum on wheel spin.  It's not the most spectacular way through a corner, but it's the fastest.  We only used the brake three times per lap, but sometimes just a touch more to settle the car, rather than slow it. THE STRATEGY While the Russians, Poms and Germans seemed very serious, most teams treated the race with the fun spirit it was intended.That was also our intention before the race. Our only strategy was to make fast pit stops and try not to spin too much. We were more concerned that the "Zoom-Zoom" logo on the car didn't read "Wooz-Wooz" after up-ending the vehicle.  However, when we found our qualifying times among the top of the 120-strong field, we became more serious. At the end of the first day of practice and qualifying we not only captured pole, but seemed to have captured the attention and respect of the European teams. THE RACE Race day dawned at -30C with a beautiful clear blue sky.  Teams arrived looking serious, while we Aussies arrived with board shorts over the top of our race suits.  Despite all the hoop-la from the teams and the AC-DC playing on the PA, ice racing is actually very quiet. Driving on ice allows you to appreciate the macho burp from the exhaust and the crackle on the over-run as you "barp, barp, barp" through the corners, the tail hanging out wide, showering snow in your wake and hopefully over trailing Poms. Stanford leaves everyone in his wake in the rolling start and pretty soon we scythe through the back markers, despite few acknowledging the blue overtaking flag. The race starts as an Ashes duel with the Poms, but ends in a Cold War with Russia with the Aussies victorious.  That gives us the pole for race 2 and we stick to our pit and race strategy. After nearly four hours of racing, it comes down in the last few laps to a close dice with the Russians.  The crowd were on their feet, enjoying the stoush and the Aussies could taste the victory champagne. However, with a bit of panel-swapping and maneuvers that would have attracted the stewards' attention in club or professional racing, the Russians cut off our legitimate passing attempts and we spun in frustration. We may have finished second, but we won the hearts and minds of the European drivers and were the toast of the awards night. THE AFTERMATH"The idea was to have a bit of fun, but who could have written a script like this," Guyton said of the close result.  He said the event was a "significant investment" for the promotion of its hero car which holds the Guinness record for the most sales of a two-seater open-top roadster, having passed the 900,000 mark recently. Maybe we Aussies took things a little too seriously in the end and were disappointed to hear of some cheating that had gone on - false driver changes, double-stinting and speeding through the pits.  At least we can be proud of having played fair.  Plus, there is always next year as the organisers have suggested it becomes an annual event. And who knows, Mazda Australia PR boss Steve Maciver was so chuffed with the result, he'd like to see it staged on bulldust roads in the Outback. Mazda MX-5 ice race results 1 Russia2 Australia, 1:10 seconds3 Belgium, 2:504 Croatia, Czech rep, Slovakia, 6:215 Austria, 1 lap6 Italy, 1 lap7 France, 2 laps8 UK2, 2 laps9 Germany3, 2 laps10 Spain, 2 laps11 Denmark,Norway, 3 laps12 Netherlands, 4 laps13 Finland, Ireland, Romania, Serbia, 4 laps14 Poland, Sweden, 4 laps15 UK 1, 5 laps16 Switzerland, 6 laps17 Germany2, 6 laps18 Germany1, 6 laps19 Portugal, 7 laps20 HungarySlovenia Turkey, 8 lapsMazda MX-5 race carEngine: 1999cc 4-cylinderPower: 118kW @ 7000rpmTorque: 188Nm @5000rpmFuel: 95 RON Tank: 50 litresTransmission: 6-speed manualBrakes: 290mm ventilated discs (front), 280mm solid discs (rear), ABSPerformance: 213km/h (top speed), 7.6 secs to 100km/hEconomy*: 7.6L/100kmCO2: 181g/km Weight: 1150kg (* production model, not the race car)

Australia scored the first shock with the fastest qualifying time and victory in the first of two two-hour races.  The nation was represented by six motoring journalists including pole sitter and Carsguide Big Wheels reporter James Stanford and Carsguide motoring reporter Mark Hinchliffe.The first race started as an Ashes struggle between Australia and the UK, but ended in a cold war with Russia.  Australia emerged the clear winner by more than 90 seconds over 21 laps of the 4.9km course.The win earned Australia pole for the second two-hour race which was an arm wrestle with Russia who adopted identical pit strategies.  Panel paint was swapped aggressively between the two countries in the last few laps, but Russia held on for victory over Australia with Belgium in third.The ice race was the second MX-5 promotional event after the first last year in Venice to celebrate the sports car’s 20th year.  National teams raced in 20 cars with some countries sharing cars. Among the 120 drivers was former Formula One racer Rene Arnoux.“I have driven on ice before in France but that is a short 600m course which is like a slalom,” he said. “This was bumpy and fast and very challenging.”The event was run by Mazda in Europe with Australia the only non-European entrant.  Mazda Europe boss Jeffrey Guyton said he was pleased Australia had flown from the other side of the world to compete.“The idea was to have a bit of fun, but who could have written a script like this,” he said of the close result.Guyton said the event was a “significant investment” for the promotion of its hero car which holds the Guinness record for the most sales of a two-seater open-top roadster, having passed the 900,000 mark recently.Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver said the race was designed to show “zoom zoom” potential of the MX-5.  He said he would love to see the event staged in Australia some time.The cars were lightly modified mainly with weight stripped out and studded tyres for the ice.  The course was a tight slalom of 23 left corners and 20 right carved out on the ice of Lake Kallsjon in northern Sweden. 

Only 200 of the MX-5 Special Edition models are available here and 3660 around the world with 2500 in Europe, 750 to USA, 200 to Canada and 10 to NZ. Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Mciver says the rarity of the vehicle should ensure good resale values.  "In general the MX-5 is a classic," he says. His opinion is backed by Shannons Insurance state business development manager Phil Ross.  "The Mazda MX-5 is obviously a very popular roadster having sold 900,000 worldwide so as a future classic you need to look at the special models that have been offered," he says. "In 2001, an MX-5 SP won the showroom class at Targa Tasmania. The SP version was 1.8 litre turbo and is a collectable car in Australia today, and hard to find. "The new special edition 2011 Mazda Mx5, with only 200 earmarked for Australia, we could be looking at another sought-after version.  "The low numbers will probably provide a slower rate of depreciation." The MX-5 Special Edition arrives at $47,200 which is no extra cost on the standard coupe.  However, the Special Edition also includes stiffer Bilstein-tuned suspension with strut tower bar in the same finish as the 17-inch alloys, new exterior colours, chrome interior accents and grey leather seats, steering wheel and handbrake with highlight stitching. Mciver says the vehicle was made available by head office.  "Occasionally they make a special edition and we decided we liked the look of it and the suspension and thought it would be a good option for people looking for something different," he says. "Our product boys did their sums and came up with the special offer. If it was ongoing production we couldn't offer these prices.

As the first shoots of spring emerge, new car sales figures for September show a jump in convertible buyers. And money is no object, with many prepared to spend up big to pop the roof down.VFACTS industry figures show a modest sales surge of the Mazda MX5, Mini Cooper cabrio, Volkswagen Eos and Audi A3 convertible - all costing more than $40,000. Further up the price list Audi's A5 cabrio, the BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Volkswagen Eos are also popular with prices for some of the German cars topping out at more than $80,000.Dealers and carmakers say the warmer weather is helping. Mazda spokesman, Steve Maciver, said the order books for the company's popular MX5 were growing. "It's a combination of things but once the warmer weather hits, people like the idea of a convertible," he said.September sales figures show a 17 per cent jump in sportscar sales, which includes convertibles. Apart from topless motoring, luxury off-roaders are also proving popular. BMW spokesman, Toni Andreevski, said the company's popular X5 off-roader, which opens around $86,000, surged last month on the back of fresh supply from the United States. "We've got more stock and buyers are prepared to spend," he said.TOP 10  BRANDS    Sept           YTD 2009 (+/- on 2008)Toyota                   16,007             142,898       -22.3%Holden                      9744               85,667       -14.0%Ford                          8427               70,289       -13.7%Mazda                       7205               57,695         -7.2%Hyundai                    5484               47,625        36.4%Mitsubishi                4312               40,092        -16.3%Nissan                       4079               38,446       -15.8%Honda                       3939               31,787       -22.9%Subaru                      2807               27,225         -9.0%Volkswagen             2307               22,717         -5.4%

The Superlight is an extreme show machine which shows how much is left in the world's favourite sports car. The stripped down and funked-up MX-5 does without a roof, and any cabin luxuries