Mazda Rolls Out New MX-5 Miata in Japan

[Variance]

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107012

TOKYO — The media previews have been glowing; now the serious business of putting the new Mazda MX-5 Miata on sale begins.

Japan today became the first market to get the new third-generation Miata, just a few weeks before action kicks off in North America.

The Japanese domestic edition (called the Mazda Roadster) comes with right-hand drive and a 2.0-liter power plant, giving 168 horsepower with a manual transmission and 164 hp with an automatic. The left-hand-drive version for North America will have slightly more punch — 170 hp for the stick model and 166 hp for the six-speed auto — but otherwise will not be hugely different.

Japan's base model will sell for the equivalent of $19,967. The luxury VS will range from $22,690 to $23,598. The enthusiast-oriented RS with 17-inch tires is $22,690. The top-spec Third-Generation Limited is $24,959.

You can also "dress up" your Roadster by checking out the long and varied list of aftermarket body and tuning parts from Mazdaspeed.

Mazda plans to build around 40,000 new sports cars a year, of which 40 percent — 16,000 vehicles — will be earmarked for the U.S. Europe will go slightly higher with 18,000. Japan, however, is expected to consume a relatively modest 4,000 units.

What this means to you: The MX-5 is primed to successfully replace the Miata, but will it catch your eye in a crowded marketplace?

[RBB]

just a few weeks before action kicks off in North America

Oh come on - you've got to be kidding me. :angry: What kind of idiot automobile company debuts a convertible roadster in September? Don't they no that no one buys a rag top that late in the year? This car is doomed to fail.

This is the kind of poor planning and execution that put GM where it is tod...

Oh.

-RBB

[Robert Hall]

Oh come on - you've got to be kidding me. :angry: What kind of idiot automobile company debuts a convertible roadster in September?  Don't they no that no one buys a rag top that late in the year?  This car is doomed to fail.

This is the kind of poor planning and execution that put GM where it is tod...

Oh.

-RBB

Maybe not in snowy climes, but fall/winter is the perfect time for convertibles in Arizona....not to mention So. Cal, So. Florida, etc...

[RBB]

Maybe not in snowy climes, but fall/winter is the perfect time for convertibles in Arizona....not to mention So.  Cal,  So. Florida, etc...

[post="4352"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Moltar, I'm just being sarcastic.

When it was mentioned in the press that the Solstice launch was delayed until September (which turned out to be false, BTW) the media was all over GM for botching yet another vehicle, saying they would miss the prime buying time for convertibles. Yet, I see no such comments when the Miata launches in mid to late September.

Now, I'm no F_O_G, but I see a double standard here.

-RBB

[pow]

I've seen a few at dealers already...