Batfa Japan Auto Blog

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has upgraded the Mazda Roadster (known overseas as the Mazda MX-5) for the Japanese market. The refreshed two-seater open-top sports car goes on sale today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.

The design of the upgraded Roadster distinguishes between the sporty character of the soft top and the refined character of the power retractable hard top (RHT) through the use of coordinated black and silver features respectively. The new model will seriously challenge the BMW cars in Japan like Z4 as well. The front face of both versions has been redesigned to present a more aggressive look. For the interior, a new luxury tan color is available for the genuine leather seats. In addition, revised characteristics of the throttle and brake booster (power braking device) have improved control of the accelerator in the manual transmission models and the brakes in all models. The enhancements add polish to the pure driving pleasure which has made the new Mazda Roadster (MX-5) famous.

In addition, the updated Roadster features an Active Bonnet (pedestrian protection system) which raises the rear end of the bonnet in the event of an accident to reduce impact to the head. However, this feature will not effect marketing of used Mazda Roadster for sale in Japan as old model has its own taste.

Mazda Roadster RS Soft Top	Mazda Roadster RS Power Retractable Hard Top

Main features of the upgraded Mazda Roadster

A distinct character for the RHT and Soft-top version

• The keywords guiding the design of the soft top were “tight sports”. Coordinated black features express sportiness
• The keywords guiding the design of the RHT were “premium sports.” Coordinated silver features denote refined, high quality driving performance

<Aggressive front view>

• Front face has a sense of depth with a larger front grille opening
• Newly designed front fog lamp bezel
• New front chin spoiler
• New body color, Dolphin Gray Mica now available (Total seven body colors are available. Metropolitan Gray Mica is no longer available).

<Enhanced interior quality>

• A lustrous and expressive new color, Glossy Dark Gray is used for the decoration panel and steering wheel bezel. (The color is an option for the Soft Top version of the S model grade.)
• Addition of a new tan color for the genuine leather seat covers. Black on the seat sides creates a stylish two-tone design. Fabric (black), leather (tan and black) and a combination of Alcantara^® and black leather seat cover materials are available.

Sports car driving pleasure taken to the next level

• Enhanced acceleration control (manual transmission models)
  Fine adjustments to the throttle management program make it more responsive when accelerating out of corners. This creates a linear and nimble feel.
• Enhanced braking control
  Changes to the characteristics of the brake booster (power braking device) make it easier to control the front and rear load distribution, increasing the feel of mastery over the vehicle.

Newly developed active bonnet for all model grades

• Active bonnet
  At certain vehicle speeds, when sensors detect an impact exceeding a defined level, the rear end of the bonnet is raised. This creates a space between the bonnet and the engine which acts to absorb the energy of impact and reduces the severity of head injuries in collisions involving pedestrians.

Cutting weight one gram at a time

• In order to keep weight down, uncompromising attention was paid to weight reduction in the design of new parts including the re-designed front bumper, the active bonnet, the new 17-inch aluminum wheels and the internal wiring.

The Japanese auto manufacturer companies faced very hard time in connection to sale of new automobiles. After deadly earthquake and tsunami on March 11th 2011, the production of new Japanese cars was almost stopped, as factories in quake effected areas was badly damaged and even some was totally destroyed due to 30 meters high waves of tsunami. But this situation has boost sales of used Japanese cars with ready stock at domestic dealers in Japan.

But all praise goes to hard work and “never give up” spirit of Japanese nation, as these automobile companies are recovered from the painful situation, and about 70% production is back on track now. The all Japanese car companies are gearing-up for more speedy production to answer high demand of Japanese cars from all over the world, and don’t give free hand to non-Japanese automakers like Mercedes-Benz Japan and BMW etc.

Even Toyota Motor Corporation, which is top on the “A-Class” category of JCTO (Japan Company Trust Organization) trusted companies list, has launched few new models in the Japanese domestic market by easing production process speed. Recently, Toyota Japan has introduced new version of their long-seller Prius Hybrid car, which is called Prius Alpha.  Since the production speed is already back on the track, Japanese companies will again enjoy a profitable financial year as usual.