OREANDA-NEWS. Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda Roadster (known as Mazda MX-5 outside Japan) will go on sale at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan from Thursday, May 21. The fourth generation Roadster features Mazda's latest technologies and embodies the essential value of the Mazda brand; "fun-to-drive" driving pleasure.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price ranges from 2,494,800 yen to 3,142,800 yen (including tax). The company expects to sell 500 units per month.

The all-new Roadster is the sixth model in Mazda's line-up of new-generation vehicles that feature the full range of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY*1 and KODO-Soul of Motion design. In developing this lightweight two-seater rear-wheel drive sports car, Mazda's goal was to deliver pure Jinba-ittai driving fun, and development engineers went to great lengths to appeal, on deeper level, to the senses and the sensations through which people enjoy cars.

With a newly-developed direct injection SKYACTIV-G 1.5-liter gasoline engine positioned behind the front axle, the all-new Roadster achieves the ideal 50:50 front-rear weight distribution.

The curb weight of the Roadster has been reduced by over 100 kilograms*2 compared to the previous model by increasing the use of aluminum and ultra-high tensile steel from 58 percent to 71 percent and adopting a body structure that is both lighter and more rigid. The fourth generation Roadster weighs between 990 and 1,060 kilograms.

The cockpit offers an ideal sports car driving position with outstanding visibility, pedals that are centered to the driver's body and controls laid out for maximum operability.

The canopy features a highly weather-resistant construction and can be opened and closed with a light and easy motion. While staying true to its purpose as two-seater sports car, Mazda worked hard to make the all-new Roadster a practical vehicle that will add excitement to the customer's daily life. Examples of these efforts include well-designed, easy-to-use storage compartments, removable drink-holders and a trunk that can accommodate two carry-on-sized suitcases.

"We launched the original Roadster in 1989 as the Eunos Roadster and for over a quarter of a century the model has been admired for its affordable price, exhilarating open-top feel and its Jinba-ittai fun-to-drive, which today has become a symbol of the Mazda brand," said Mazda President and CEO Masamichi Kogai. "Written in the catalog made for the original model were the words, 'A car that will make anyone happy.' I feel strongly now that these words were pointing the way, not just for the Roadster, but for the entire Mazda brand. These days, Mazda is aiming to get closer to our customers and enrich their lives through a variety of touch points. By providing driving pleasure and satisfied smiles, we want to make a particular kind of connection with our customers and become for them a one-and-only brand that they will choose again and again. By delivering driving pleasure and satisfaction to even more customers, this all-new Roadster will help to raise the value of the Mazda brand."