All New Mazda MX-5 Wins 2015-16 Japan Car of the Year Award

Kuala Lumpur: The all-new Mazda MX-5 has recently won the “2015-16 Japan Car of the Year” award. The roadster has now become the sixth Mazda model in the range of Mazda SkyActiv cars to take home this prestigious award. It is worth to mention that Mazda 2 also won the same title, last year. The eligibility criterion for the Japan Car of the Year Award is that a car must have an approximate annual sale of over 500 units and need to unveil in Japan between October 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015. The fourth-generation Mazda ND MX-5 flaunts the brand's all-new Kodo Soul of the Motion design language. The roadster made its world debut in October 2014.

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On this occasion, Masamichi Kogai, President and CEO of Mazda has said that the result was due to the enthusiastic support of everyone and the company is grateful and proud of its roadster, which has won such a prestigious award. He also added that the company is inspired by this award and will keep on making cars that provide driving pleasure to become the “one-and-only” (brand) for its customers that they will choose it again and again.

The all-new Mazda MX-5 is a front-engine, rear wheel drive car that is renowned for its ultimate 50:50 weight distribution. The roadster also enjoys a solid reputation for giving the Jinba-ittai (“horse and rider as one”) driving feel. Both features are considered as the main reason behind the huge success and popularity of the all-new Mazda MX-5 over the generations.

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The range-topping model of Mazda MX-5 drives the power from a naturally-aspirated SkyActiv-Active-G 2.0-litre engine capable of producing the maximum power of 158 hp and the peak torque of 200 Nm. The 1.5-litre engine variant is capable of producing the maximum power of 114 hp and the peak torque of 147 Nm is also available in certain parts of the world.

With the price tag of RM219,999, the Malaysian version of Mazda MX-5 is currently powered by a 2.0-litre mated to the SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. However, the Mazda Malaysia has recently confirmed that a manual version Mazda MX-5 will be arriving soon in the country.

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