
Mazda has revealed a range-topping MX-5 Sport Recaro limited edition, with a production run of just 600 units.
Priced at £24,295, the MX-5 Sport Recaro sits at the top of the MX-5 range, carrying a £1000 premium over the Sport Nav model on which it is based.
The Sport Recaro MX-5 is so called because of its Recaro seats. It also offers 17in alloys and black aerodynamic bodywork and spoiler - all unique to the special edition. A numbered badge on the interior also signifies the limited-run MX-5. Further interior upgrades include alloy pedals and edition-specific floor mats.
The Mazda MX-5 costs from £18,495, while the Sport Recaro is priced at £24,295.
Mazda's fourth-generation roadster made its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer. It is new from the ground up and enters the market with a brand new rear-wheel drive chassis and two new petrol engines, all built using the company’s Skyactiv technology.
Mazda MX-5 program manager Nobuhiro Yamamoto said the new car had to conform to five crucial rules that now characterise the MX-5 – rear drive with a front-mid engine layout, 50/50 weight distribution, minimal “yaw inertia” (how quickly it changes direction), a low kerb weight and affordability.
There are five trim levels for the smaller-engined 1.5-litre model, and five for the 2.0-litre, including the limited-run Sport Recaro edition.
All models get six-speed manual gearboxes, air conditioning, LED headlights and alloy wheels. Stepping up to SE-L gets daytime running lights, climate control, cruise control, DAB radio, Bluetooth and a touch-screen infotainment system. Sport models get automatic lights, heated leather seats, keyless entry and a upgraded sound system. As the names suggest, SE-L Nav and Sport Nav models get satellite navigation for a £500 premium.
The 2.0-litre engine is only available on the SE-L and above. Opting for it adds a limited-slip differential, larger 17in wheels a strut-tower brace. Sport models also get upgraded Bilstein dampers.
Other options include a choice of seven colours, a tan leather option and blindspot monitoring on Sport Nav models.
Prices
1.5i SE £18,495
1.5i SE-L £19,245
1.5i SE-L Nav £19,845
1.5i Sport £18,050
1.5i Sport Nav £18,550
2.0i SE-L £20,095
2.0i SE-L Nav £20,695
2.0i Sport £22,695
2.0i Sport Nav £23,295
2.0i Sport Recaro £24,295
Read how we got on the Mazda MX-5 through its paces on the track and the road
Yamamoto, who developed the original MX-5 and has worked on all the generations of the car, said he went back to the first car for inspiration.
This latest version reverses the trend of generational changes of MX-5s by being lighter and smaller than the car it replaces. The base model weighs just a shade over one tonne, at 1050kg.
Join the debate
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Mazda
JAGUAR MX-5
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It is not known why Mazda would persevere with the co-operative agreement with Alfa (FIAT), who no longer seem to know what to do with that arrangement.
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As a replacement (or substitute) for the FIAT model, a Jaguar version of the MX-5, would provide a much needed “price leader” into the Jaguar model range, marque, franchise.
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Just try to imagine the new MX5 with the new Jaguar “nose” (grill) on the front.
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Should Jaguar want - or need - to be represented in the market segment within which the new MX-5 competes? Unequivocally, YES!
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It will be at least another 2-3 generations before Jaguar has the (re-)established reputation, resources, to compete against the German opposition in the “quality” front-wheel-drive (FWD) “super-mini” segment, as price-leader to the rest of the range.
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For the immediate future, an open sports car, is definitely more appropriate to the Jaguar company “profile” than a front-wheel-drive (FWD) “super-mini” segment, as price-leader to the rest of the range.
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Does it matter that a Jaguar MX-5 may not contribute significantly to Jaguar’s profits? NO!
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A Jaguar MX-5 will importantly increase the “foot-fall” and financial turnover of Jaguar’s dealers. A Jaguar MX-5 will deprive other marques of sales. A Jaguar MX-5 will provide an appropriate, successful, entry to the Jaguar range of more expensive (profitable) models.
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FIAT, who - it does seem - do not (now) know what to do with the Alfa-Mazda deal, do already have amicable commercial relations with TATA, who own JLR (Jaguar Land Rover).
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FIAT and TATA have co-operative commercial and manufacturing agreements in India. FIAT and TATA have connections in the UK through shared vehicle (purchase) financing schemes.
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Until recently, Mazda did have Ford as a major shareholder. As once part of the Premier Automotive Group (PAG), Jaguar - with Volvo, Lincoln and Aston Martin - were also “owned” by Ford.
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There are (of course) other historic direct links between Jaguar and Mazda. The Mazda RX-8 was used as a basis for the 2003 Jaguar R-D6 compact four-seat coupé prototype. It is understood the (penultimate, steel) XK and earlier X-Type, utilised rear light clusters from Mazda.
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It can only be hoped that there is still sufficient goodwill, and “camaraderie”, in existence for all those who could, should, now be involved - to negotiate the “buy-out” of FIAT (Alfa) from the Mazda deal . . . to be replaced by Jaguar (TATA)!!
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It is to be hoped that the ‘phone lines between Mazda and Jaguar, have been busy!!
New MX5