North East Motor Guide

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ON FRONT PAG E N O R T H E AST V I C TO R I A , A L P S A N D H I G H CO U N T RY

FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 3, 2016

> available online - www.nemedia.com.au

BRILLIANT: Mazda MX-5 roadster has neat new look.

Mazda MX-5 gets ‘big’ 2.0-litre engine

FOR the first time in Australia the brilliant little Mazda MX-5 is offered with two different engines. That’s chiefly to permit the importer to have a price leader (at $31,990) to tackle the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86. However, some drivers relish using their driving skills to get the best from small engines so the 1.5 has been selling well. A few weeks back we tested an MX-5 with the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces a relatively modest 96 kW and 150 Nm. Now we have just spent a very enjoyable week in the 2.0-litre MX-5. It has a pretty respectable 118 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque.

By EWAN KENNEDY Our test car was a Roadster GT 2.0 with a six-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0-litre has a starting price of $34,490 and comes with 17-inch alloys, Mazda’s MZD Connect system and LED daylight running lamps as standard. While the second and third generations (1997 and 2005) were evolutions of the original 1989 NA series, the gen-four designers have given us a modern shape based on the ‘Kodo’ design as seen in the rest of the Mazda range. To our eyes the rear is rather generic, following the current global theme of round units tapering outwards into slim

horizontal areas. The MX-5 comes as a Roadster and an upmarket Roadster GT. The GT stands out visually in that the body colour continues over onto the tops of the doors into the cabin. It has black door-mirror housings. Automatic lights and wipers, climate control on the air conditioning, and keyless entry and start are standard in the GT. A 7.0-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, internet radio, Mazda’s MZD Connect infotainment system has a 7.0inch touchscreen and is operated by a ‘Commander Control’ between the seats. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine used in the MX-5 we reviewed has 118 kW of power

and 200 Nm of torque. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions are offered. Paddles behind the wheel of the auto do provide sort-of manual driving, but it’s not the same thing. Give us the manual any day. The MX-5 received five stars for passive safety, but only a four-star rating in safety assist. A spokesperson for Mazda Australia points out that, “There has never been a sports car that has received a five star rating in the past.” Again in the interests of chassis balance the seats are lower than before.

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MOTORS ABN 44 048 105 609 – LMCT 1060

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Test drive today to find out why!

(03) 5721 5677 10 Templeton Street, Wangaratta www.onemilemotors.com.au


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