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All-New 1999 Mazda Miata Takes Center Stage At North American International Auto Show

7 January 1998

All-New 1999 Mazda Miata Takes Center Stage At North American International Auto Show

  Popular Roadster Sets Out to Capture Hearts of American Drivers ... Again

    DETROIT, Jan. 7 -- The car that almost single-handedly
revived the two-seat open roadster market around the world arrived in Detroit
today as Mazda executives unveiled the all-new 1999 Miata at the 1998 North
American International Auto Show.  The new Miata, which features a more
powerful engine, dramatically restyled body, redesigned interior and improved
handling, goes on sale in Mazda dealerships early in 1998.
    "The weather outside may be cold and dreary," said Richard Beattie,
president and CEO of MNAO, "but with the introduction of our new Miata, things
are heating up at Mazda.  As good as the original Miata was, this new 1999
Miata is better in every single way.  We fully expect it to remain the best-
selling two-seat roadster on the planet."
    The new 1999 Mazda Miata features a more powerful 140-horsepower 1.8-liter
DOHC four-cylinder engine, improved four-wheel double-wishbone suspension,
more aggressively styled body and a redesigned interior.  The body of the new
Miata is more rigid for improved handling, yet it weighs the same as its
predecessor.  The easy-to-use folding top is even easier to operate and now
uses a glass rear window with built-in defroster, a feature not found on
several convertibles costing much more.
    The new Mazda Miata may not be on sale yet, but the editors of "Car and
Driver" magazine already are hailing it as one of the "1O Best Cars" in the
publication's January l998 issue.  This is nothing new for the Miata -- the
original car won several awards and accolades before it went on sale as well.
    Since its introduction in 1989, Mazda has sold more than 450,000 Miatas
worldwide, with more than half of that total coming in North America.  The
Miata is the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world.  In addition, the
Mazda Miata is a champion on the track, earning several SCCA class
championships.

SOURCE  Mazda Information Bureau