Mazda Motor Corporation has announced full price and specification details of its all-new MX-5 in Japan, providing more clues to the make-up of the Australian version.
While the more powerful 2.0-litre variant's kerb weight of 1058kg was revealed last month, Mazda has now announced a 990kg base weight for the entry-level 1.5-litre version that goes on sale in Japan from June.
The news confirms Mazda has come good on its promise that the all-SKYACTIV 2016 MX-5 will be about 100kg lighter than before – and the lightest since the 1989 original (940kg base). These figures apply to six-speed manual models; six-speed auto variants will weigh about 22kg extra.
Both 96kW/150Nm 1.5- and 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre models offer better power-to-weight ratios – and therefore 0-100km/h acceleration performance – than the outgoing MX-5 and both are expected to go on sale by October in Australia, where final pricing and specifications are yet to be announced.
However, Mazda Australia has previously indicated that local pricing will start much lower than the now-discontinued MX-5 (last sold at $47,280 for the Roadster Coupe), potentially from under $40,000 – and that a wider variety of model variants will be offered – beyond the two engine choices.
In Japan, the new MX-5 comes in three specifications: the base ‘S,’ the ‘S Special Package’ and the S Leather Package.’ It will be available in seven colours.
Prices start at 2,494,800 yen ($A26,900) for the S manual – which is about $A1200 cheaper than before — and extend to 2,700,000 yen ($A29,100) for S Special Package manual and 3,142,800 yen ($A33,900) for the fully-loaded S Leather Package.
Japan's MX-5 S Special Package adds fuel-saving 'i-ELOOP' brake energy regeneration and 'i-stop' idle-stop technologies, ACTIVE i-SENSE safety features including blind-spot monitoring, high-beam control system and lane departure warning system. It tips the scales at 1030kg for the manual and 1050kg for the auto.
In addition, the MX-5 S Leather Package offers leather seat trim and weighs 1040kg (manual) and 1060kg (auto).
Australian equipment levels are yet to be revealed, but expect equivalent 2.0-litre models – which ride on larger 17-inch wheels – to be up to 60kg heavier, and for local prices to be around $10,000 higher at base level, plus a further $5000 or so for 2.0-litre versions, spelling a price range of about $39,000-$50,000.