GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Mazda - MX-5

First Oz look: Mazda’s turbo MX-5 SE

Turbocharged: MX-5 SE features 121kW and a subtle new sports bodykit.

The world’s most popular sports car adds turbo power

2 Mar 2004

IT may be in the twilight of its life cycle, but the world’s most popular sports car has just been given a kickalong with the addition of the turbocharged MX-5 SE, due on sale here in late March.

Developed specifically for Australia, the US and Japan - where it is to be known as the Mazda Roadster Turbo – MX-5 SE will be priced at a competitive $45,490.

Offering more performance, sharper handling and more aggressive styling for $4960 more than the standard MX-5, Mazda describes MX-5 SE as “unbeatable sports car value”.

Launched locally at the Melbourne motor show last week, the SE is said to be the biggest mechanical change to the convertible first launched here in late 1989 – a car that has found almost 10,500 Australian homes and some 700,000 globally.

Of course, that’s discounting the Mazda Australia-developed MX-5 SP, of which 100 examples were sold from January 2002 at $55,540 with a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine delivering 150kW/280Nm.

The factory-built MX-5 SE will not be as potent as the limited edition SP, but will undercut it by more than $10,000 and should still impress with 121kW (ECE) at 6000rpm – a 14 per cent increase on the standard car at 1000 fewer revs.

With 206Nm of torque available at 4500rpm – almost 23 per cent up on MX-5 at 500 fewer revs – the SE is claimed to reduce the standard car’s 8.4-second 0-100km/h acceleration time to about 7.8 seconds. The shorter final drive gear ratio also improves in-gear acceleration.

The 1.8-litre DOHC engined SE’s improved performance comes courtesy of a single-scroll turbocharger with 7.25psi maximum boost, an air-to-air intercooler and a retuned main exhaust muffler.

Other driveline changes include a more efficient radiator and an upgraded clutch, propeller shaft and differential, while harder rubber is used for the engine and differential mounts.

MX-5 SE’s four-wheel double wishbone suspension features 20 per cent stiffer coil springs delivering a 7mm-lower ride height, Bilstein shock absorbers and increased-diameter anti-rollbars (up 1mm front and 2mm rear).

A revised steering rack requires only 2.3 tuns lock-to-lock, compared to 2.7 on the standard MX-5, while ABS is standard.

SE is the first MX-5 to be sold in Australia with 17-inch alloy wheels (with 205/40 R17 tyres) and a limited-slip differential.

The six-speed manual-only MX-5 SE also boasts a larger exhaust outlet, coloured brake callipers and a bodykit comprising a new front spoiler with extra-large air intake and recessed fog lamps, a boot spoiler and lower rear spoiler.

22 center imageInside, there are stainless steel scuff plates, drilled alloy pedals and a centre dash featuring a swirl alloy finish, while air-vents, door handles and the gearbox surround also get an alloy-look finish.

New seat trim includes a red insert, while the optional black leather trim costs $1000.

All MX-5s now feature a larger wind deflector housing an extra two rear speakers, along with twin front airbags, six-CD audio, power windows/mirrors, glass rear window with demister, remote central locking and seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters.

MX-5 SE will be available in three metallic colours – Velocity Red, Titanium Grey and Sunlight Silver.

The standard MX-5 features 16-inch alloy wheels, a six-speed manual and a 107kW/168Nm engine for $40,530.

“The MX-5 SE is a great all-round package, offering a significant performance increase and impressive improvements in handling, grip and steering,” said the man responsible for the Australian-built MX-5 SP, Mazda motorsport manager Allan Horsley.

“At $45,490 no other sports car gets close to the bang-for-your-buck equation offered by the MX-5 SE. It’s great fun”.

GoAuto can help you buy a new MX-5

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Mazda models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here