Mazda MX-5 Wins 'Best Roadster' Award for Fifth Time!

DARTFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – Aug 5, 2010: Mazda’s range of ‘Zoom-Zoom’ vehicles continues to impress automotive experts, with the iconic Mazda MX-5 roadster being rated as ‘Best Roadster’ – beating BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster rivals – to claim a top ranking in the annual Auto Express New Car Awards for the fifth consecutive year.

Praising the Mazda MX-5, judges from the UK’s best-selling weekly automotive magazine commented: “More than two decades after the original first hit the road, the Japanese drop-top is still delivering wind-in-the-hair thrills to buyers on a budget. The Mazda combines sharp looks, engaging rear-wheel drive handling and attractive prices. The petrol engines provide just enough pace, and it’s the MX-5’s agile and entertaining chassis that shines brightest. With prices starting at £17,245 it’s easy to see why the Mazda is the world’s best selling roadster.”

Significantly upgraded during 2009, the 10-strong range of new Mazda MX-5 sportscars is available with either a traditional soft-top or in Roadster Coupe form featuring a powered retractable hard top. Chassis modifications ensured that all models deliver an evolution of Mazda’s unique Jinba Ittai – oneness between car and driver – by enhancing the MX-5's legendary agility and controllability even further. Fine-tuning of both the 1.8i and 2.0i engines has achieved significant reductions in CO2 and fuel consumption, aided by improvements to the sportscar’s aerodynamics.

"Mazda is proud to have a high profile motoring consumer publication, such as Auto Express, confirm that our products are among the very best on the market,” commented Mark Cameron, sales director for Mazda UK.

“The 2010 Mazda MX-5 range ensures that the soft-top continues to offer the purest, fun-to-drive thrills, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe delivers an even more premium experience together with that same driving excitement. Today, the Mazda MX-5 is unrivalled as a rewarding sportscar that can also be used for everyday motoring all year round, with low running costs and high levels of specification – and the whole sportscar ownership experience is supported by Mazda’s legendary reliability and durability,” concludes Cameron.

The Mazda MX-5 has also won praise from Auto Express as a used car – winning ‘Best Convertible’ awards from 2005 to 2008. Mazda models also performed well in other categories of the 2010 Awards. The Mazda3 achieved a runner-up placing in the ‘Best Compact Family Car’ section, beaten only by VW’s more expensive Golf. Mazda2 was also ‘commended’ in the ‘Best Supermini’ class.

Special finance offers until 30 September 2010
Mazda dealers are currently offering MX-5 buyers three finance packages available for retail sales only, until 30 September 2010: 1. Typical 0% APR* finance on Mazda Conditional Sale (with 50% minimum deposit) up to 36 months. 2. Typical 3.9% APR** finance on Mazda Conditional Sale and Personal Contract Purchase (no minimum deposit) up to 24 months. 3. Typical 5.9% APR** finance on Mazda Conditional Sale and Personal Contract Purchase (no minimum deposit) up to 36 months.

During this period, Mazda is offering ‘customer savings’ of £500 off the list price of all standard models excluding the Mazda MX-5 Miyako only, plus a ‘Mazda deposit contribution’ of £1,000 on all Mazda MX-5 models (including Miyako), to customers purchasing their car with Mazda Personal Contract Purchase finance. Existing Mazda customers can also benefit from a £500 loyalty bonus available on all models including the Mazda MX-5 Miyako.