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Handles like a dream

Shift. Accelerate. Shift. Brake. Accelerate!

The torquey, lightweight Mazda MX-5 is always fun to drive. We pride ourselves on its lively performance. Powerful engines and our renowned short-stroke, snick-snick shift action transmissions feel - and sound - like a genuine sports car should.

Fun to drive

Hands on Mazda fun!

The way a transmission behaves is central to the personality of a lightweight sports car. Here, you feel like the gear box is an extension of your own persona. Whatever you want it to do, it will - and then some!

With its emphasis on linear control the Mazda MX-5 has a real fun-to-drive character. Five and six-speed manual transmissions work with minimum effort, giving maximum performance - and maximum driving pleasure, too.

There's a similarly responsive feel to the six-speed manual transmission. Ergonomically designed shift strokes are deliberately short and direct, giving you that natural feel that's there in all true sports car driving.

Lively performance

The power behind the performance

You don't need to thrash a Mazda MX-5 to get a rousing performance. With our MZR-series engines, it's guaranteed.

Listen to your Mazda MX-5. You can hear a reassuring growl, a lively deep-throated rumble that's found in all true sports cars.

We've moved the engine closer to the centre of gravity. Not only does this give you greater pedal manipulation, it also means increased driving control.

With both the 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines, you get a torquey responsive drive. These were designed for on-road fun - something that's at the heart of everything we believe in.

Lightness

Why every gram counts

Simply driving fast doesn't guarantee enjoyment. It's the actions of driving, the dynamics of the whole experience that give you the most pleasure. And performance can be enhanced through lightness rather than sheer engine power.

Why is lightness so crucial? Because running, turning and stopping depend on it. When low weight combines with our optimised body rigidity and new high-strength light steel and aluminium, then the 'driver and car as one' dynamic, really comes into its own.

With the new Mazda MX-5 lightness was a main priority. We made every gram count. As you feel how great driving this new car is, you'll appreciate why.

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