Berjaya Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributors of Mazda vehicles in the country has finally lunched the much-awaited all-new Mazda MX-5 two-seat, open-top sports car to the press during unveiling ceremonies held at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.
Twenty-five years since the first generation Mazda MX-5 two-seat roadster was introduced to the global market, the fourth generation Mazda MX-5 makes its ASEAN debut in the Philippines. This is the fifth new-generation Mazda model to be launched in the Philippines that embodies the striking KODO: Soul of Motion design language as well as the latest implementations of Mazda’s groundbreaking SKYACTIV Technology chassis, engine and drivetrain innovations.
“The all-new MX-5 is the epitome of Mazda’s core ethos of providing pure driving pleasure on the road,” says Steven Tan, president and CEO of Mazda Philippines. “The amount of design and engineering effort that was put in by Mazda engineers into this latest generation MX-5 is intended to bring back the first MX-5’s calling to deliver joy in driving. We are confident that the all-new MX-5 will not only achieve its goals of providing unique top-down driving experience but will set a new benchmark in providing more smiles not only to its owners but to everyone who sees the car.”
Also present during the launch were Masashi Nakayama, the all-new Mazda MX-5’s chief designer; Hiroshi Inoue, Executive Officer of Mazda Motor Corporation; Hitoshi Takamatsu, the all-new Mazda MX-5’s deputy program manager for vehicle development promotion and Tom Matano, designer of the first- and second-generation Mazda MX-5. With the Philippines now brandishing a highly competitive emerging automotive market, Philippine-bound MX-5 units will sport a tuned 2.0-liter SKYACTIV gasoline direct injection engine designed to deliver heightened performance while satisfying environmental friendliness. “This top-of-the-line 2.0-liter SKYACTIV engine is specifically tuned for the MX-5 and is designed to deliver more torque and faster response,” adds Tan. Local models will come with either the quick-reacting SKYACTIV six-speed automatic transmission or the snappy six-speed manual gearbox.
The all-new MX-5 also comes equipped with MZD Connect, Mazda’s in-car connectivity system first found on the current Mazda 3. Also included is the Mazda Active Display which projects relevant information on a heads-up panel and the highly effective i-Stop stop-start fuel-saving function.
Tan adds, “Combined with a SKYACTIV chassis that is 100-kilograms less than the outgoing model, our market has a very potent and exciting MX-5 package that is sure to liven up the senses of its owners.”
The press launch is part of a series of events to welcome the all-new Mazda MX-5’s arrival on Philippine shores. Kicking off the weeklong proceedings was a black-tie dinner attended by Tom Matano and members of the Miata Club of the Philippines on August 5. On August 7, a media drive will be held at Batangas Racing Circuit, with Hitoshi Takamatsu giving a presentation on the latest model’s development and engineering. The winners of the MX-5 Roadster Design Competition will be announced on August 8, and on August 9, the first batch of 17 units of the MX-5 will be turned over to their owners at the Mazda Zoom Fest in Bonifacio Global City.
Berjaya Auto Philippines, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the Philippines. Current product line-up includes Mazda2 sub-compact sedan and hatchback, Mazda3 SKYACTIV compact sedan and hatchback, Mazda6 executive sedan, CX-5 compact SUV, CX-9 seven-seater SUV, MX-5 2-seater sports roadster and the BT-50 pickup truck. There are 15 Mazda sales and service dealerships located across the Philippines and Metro Manila – Mazda Greenhills along EDSA, Mazda Pasig along C5, Mazda Quezon Ave., Mazda North EDSA, Mazda Alabang, Mazda Cavite, Mazda Sta Rosa, Mazda Pampanga, Mazda Dagupan, Mazda Cabanatuan, Mazda Tarlac, Mazda Cebu, Mazda Iloilo, Mazda Cagayan De Oro and Mazda Davao.
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