News

- Upgraded Engine and More Standard Features Highlight Numerous Improvements -

• The SKYACTIV-G 2.0 is 17-percent more powerful than last year's model, thanks to a host of internal weight- and friction-reducing measures
• A new brown soft top option joins the previous year's Dark Cherry roof colour
• The 2019 Mazda MX-5 and MX-5 RF go on sale in Canada in September

RICHMOND HILL, ON, July 31, 2018 /CNW/ - How do you make the world's best-selling, two-seat roadster even better? Mazda's designers and engineers have found the answer with the 2019 MX-5 and MX-5 RF, which goes on sale later this summer from a starting MSRP of $32,900. While its biggest change comes by way of its thoroughly upgraded SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine, which is now more responsive, efficient and powerful, other numerous updates include:

Steering wheel adds telescoping feature for the first time in MX-5 history with 30mm of telescoping range, to accommodate a wider range of seating positions

• An aluminum steering column to save weight versus the previous steel unit
• A new, standard rearview camera
• Standard Smart City Brake Support low-speed automatic emergency braking
• Available Traffic Sign Recognition
• An available brown soft top for MX-5 GT models

With a lengthy list of new standard equipment for the 2019 MX-5, the MX-5 GX model has been supplanted by the GS as the starting point in the lineup. In addition to the new 2.0L engine, the 2019 MX-5 GS also receives upgrades in the safety department with standard Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), High Beam Control System (HBC), and a wide-angle rearview camera. Other new standard features include telescoping steering wheel, seven-inch touchscreen display with Mazda Connect infotainment system and HMI Commander, HD radio, and navigation-ready functionality (requires SD card accessory). Standard equipment carried over from the 2018 MX-5 GX includes push-button start, air conditioning, advanced keyless entry system, LED headlights and rear combination lights, automatic on/off headlights, auto leveling headlights, Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (ABSM), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

The new mid-range MX-5 carries the GS-P moniker and will appeal to the enthusiast buyer, with standard sport suspension with Bilstein® shock absorbers, limited slip differential, strut tower bar, and 17-inch black metallic alloy wheels. A Bose® premium audio system is now standard in the mid-range GS-P and features 9 speakers with AudioPilot® 2 noise compensation technology (including driver and passenger headrest speakers, and subwoofer), along with navigation, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle, heated exterior mirrors, and LED daytime running lights (DRL). The interior features black cloth upholstery with red stitching, and three-position seat heaters.

The GS-P model has an available Sport Package, which includes black 17-inch BBS® forged wheels, Brembo® front brakes, red painted front and rear brake calipers, and Recaro® sport seats (Nappa leather and Alcantara® trimmed).

The MX-5 GT continues to be the top of the range and adds to the GS-P equipment with automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, HomeLink® wireless control system, 4.6-inch multi-information colour display in gauge cluster, SiriusXM® satellite radio, black leather seating with KODO stitching, convertible top cloth liner, Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR), and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS).

Options for the MX-5 GT include a Dark Cherry cloth soft-folding convertible top, a new brown soft-top option, and Chroma Brown Nappa leather seats with KODO stitching.

The two-trim strategy for the 2019 MX-5 RF carries over from 2018 and starts with the newly-named GS-P model. Standard features and options mimic the 2019 MX-5 soft-top model, with the exception of the 4.6-inch colour MID which is standard on the MX-5 RF. The 2019 MX-5 RF GS-P also includes the availability of the Sport Package.

With no soft-top colour options available, things take a different path with the GT trim level. The MX-5 RF GT gives buyers a chance to differentiate their car with the available Exclusive Package or Grand Sport Package (manual transmission only).

The Exclusive Package adds some colour contrast inside and out with a unique piano black hard top, and Chroma Brown Nappa leather seating with KODO stitching. The Grand Sport Package includes these features as well and takes it a step further by adding the 17-inch BBS® forged wheels and Brembo® front brakes from the GS-P Sport Package.

All 2019 MX-5s come standard in Canada with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine, now producing 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. That represents an increase of 26 horsepower and 3 lb-ft of torque over the previous model. Thanks to a host of internal improvements, including lighter pistons and rods and a larger throttle, MX-5's engine produces more torque throughout its rev range and enjoys a 700 rpm higher redline for the new model year.

The new engine comes paired to either a standard SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode and Drive selection switch, available at no additional cost. GS-P and GT models with the automatic transmission also include paddle shifters.

MSRP¹ for all models is as follows:

Premium exterior colors:

Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 164 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca.                                                                               

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SOURCE Mazda Canada Inc.