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More 'Zoom Zoom' for MX-5

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The latest generation MX-5 is characterised by new fog lamps and alloy wheel, but the front retains its "shark-nose" bumper and integrated driving lights.

There is a choice of six vibrant colours to add to the roadster's style and a sleek removable hard top that contributes to the stiffness of the chassis and increases its rigidity.

Also up for grabs is a manual soft-top cover, with a glass tempered rear window with integrated demister, to protect the driver and passenger from the outside elements.

The scuff plate, centre panel, gear lever base panel, audio panel, meter ring, door inner handle, parking brake release button and side louvre bezel are now all decorated in silver.

Steering wheel

Changes have also made to the leather steering wheel, leather shift knob and leather parking brake lever while the leather seats have received the addition of piping.

The rear shelf is now equipped with two speakers.

Other interior fittings see chrome-plated rims for the speedometer and tachometer and white dials with red illumination for night-time vision.

Standard features include power steering, air-conditioning, automatic power windows and mirrors, central locking, two-speaker two-tweeter radio/CD sound system, central locking, power door locks with keyless entry and remote releases for the fuel and boot lid.

The car has a 1.8-litre DOHC 4-cylinder 16-valve engine linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. It produces 107 kW at 7 000 r/min and 168 Nm of torque at 5 000 r/min.

Weight distribution

The engine is equipped with sequential valve timing (S-VT) with a continuous phase variable timing mechanism that monitors the timing of the air intake valve throughout the rev range.

The MX-5 has near perfect 50:50 weight distribution with the engine mounted behind the front axle. There's also and aluminium bonnet, and the fuel tank is located in front of the rear axle and the battery in the boot.

The car has four-wheel double wishbone suspension and is equipped with a limited slip differential (LSD).

The MX-5 has restyled wheels with 205/45R16 tyres while brakes are 270mm ventilated discs in the front and 276mm solid disc brakes at the rear. Four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is standard. combined Electronically Controlled Brakeforce Distribution System (commonly known as EBD).

Security includes an ID transponder built into the ignition key.

Prices

Mazda MX-5 1.8i Hard Top R249 590

Mazda MX-5 1.8i Soft Top R209 590

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