Road TestCar reviews - Mazda - MX-5 - Roadster Coupe convertibleMazda modelsOverviewMazda's MX-5 is still the one. But is a self-shifting gearbox selling its soul?31 Jul 2009 MAZDA not only provides the only truly affordable two-seater open sports car, but also offers a range of variants to suit differing needs as well as budgets. Case in point is the flagship Roadster Coupe Sports Activematic, combining the security of a retractable hardtop with the ease of an automatic gearbox. But the big question is, can a folding-roof automatic MX-5 stay true to the hallowed lightweight roadster philosophy of the others? We test the Series II facelift to find out. Model release date: 1 March 2009 to 1 September 2012 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelA LANDMARK achievement, the third-generation rear-drive two-seater roadster managed to right the previous model’s few wrongs – namely packaging space, refinement and comfort – in a timelessly handsome shape. Performance from the 118kW/188Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-cam petrol unit is strong and economical to boot, while the six-speed Activematic automatic gearbox finally introduced a viable alternative to the fine six-speed manual item. Purists reeled in horror when a retractable hardtop model known as the Roadster Coupe was released in mid-2006, but what it lacks in overall beauty it makes up for in security and (slightly better) refinement. |
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