AN UPDATED 2020 Mazda MX-5 is now available in some markets with both the Convertible and RF Retractable Fastback arriving in showrooms in February 2020.
There are 10 variants – four Convertibles and six RFs. The 98kW 1.5-litre Convertible is offered in SE-L and Sport trim, while the 138kW two-litre Skyactiv-G engine is matched to Sport Tech and the new range-topping GT Sport Tech trim.
As with the Convertible model, SE-L and Sport trim RF’s are powered by the 1.5-litre engine, while Sport Tech and GT Sport Tech come with the more powerful two-litre engine. In addition, two-litre RFs in both trim levels come with the option to choose an automatic gearbox.
New for the 2020, Mazda MX-5, a GT Sport Tech flagship model is marked out by 17” BBS alloy wheel rims and burgundy Nappa leather seats, while across the whole range the MX-5 is available with Polymetal Grey Metallic paint for the first time.
ADAPTIVE LIGHTS
The updated version of Mazda’s sport car also benefits from extra standard safety equipment: from Sport models and above, the MX-5 features front auto braking, lane-keeping, traffic sign recognition and blind-spot monitoring.
Adaptive diode headlights and a reversing camera are standard on Sport Tech and GT Sport Tech units.
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 retains the same award-winning mechanical set up as before. Introduced in September 2018, the updated 138kW version of the 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine has lighter pistons and conrods, plus upgraded camshafts, exhaust valves, fuel-injectors, throttle valve and air intake, all of which increase performance over the 120kW version that featured in the fourth-generation MX-5 at launch in 2015.
As a result, the engine has its red line at 7500rpm.
In addition, with higher fuel pressure and more efficient combustion than the smaller engine, there’s an increase in torque across the rev range, while peak torque rises by five Nm.
The Convertible’s 0-100km/h time is 0.8sec quicker at 6.5sec while manual and auto RF models are 0.6 and 0.5 sec faster. In addition, the tuned main silencer delivers a more powerful engine note.
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As before,two-litre cars with the manual gearbox have a front strut brace, limited-slip differential and Bilstein shock-absorbers. Across the range, the 2020 MX-5 has telescopic steering adjustment. As might be expected for a vehicle that was named World Car Design of the Year on its debut, the styling of the MX-5 has been left alone.
Prices in the UK start at the equivalent of R440 200.
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