Yes, most of us are now back to work, but we have just the piece of news to cheer roadster fans up – the new Mazda MX-5 is expected to launch in Malaysia this September, according to a Bermaz source. Our car will be fully-imported (CBU) from Japan.
We’re also told a manual gearbox won’t be offered – whether that’s good or bad, you decide. So our car’s high-compression 1.5 litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder petrol engine should be mated to a six-speed SkyActiv-Drive auto.
The engine is derived from the Mazda 2‘s but puts out a bit more at higher revs, developing 129 hp at 7,000 rpm and 150 Nm at 4,800 rpm. Americans will get a 2.0 litre version that reportedly has 168 hp and 200 Nm of torque on offer.
Unveiled last year at the Paris show, the ND-generation Mazda MX-5 is over 100 kg lighter than the NC, while wearing a taut Kodo dress that’s bold enough to split opinions. You’ll find headrest-mounted speakers, the MZD Connect infotainment system and electric power steering.
UPDATE: Upon checking with a source from Bermaz, it is now mooted that the 2.0 litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine will instead feature under the bonnet of the Malaysian-spec Mazda MX-5. In US-spec state of tune, the mill puts out 155 hp and 200 Nm of torque. The six-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic gearbox is still the sole transmission expected.
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I love this car already. Can’t wait to drive it!
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you mean the one with the gutless midrange & poorly built interior? Nah I’ll pass.
auto…yawn. What is the difference of driving this and driving a Persona auto???
better buy persona
both sux, but Persona stands higher chance coz its price is 1/5 of MX5’s.
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While we’d obviously prefer a manual gearbox, the majority of Malaysian drivers think otherwise, hence the line above.
Hopefully a manual can be had as a special order. Motor Image do offer the new WRX with manual as a special order. You will have to wait longer though.
majority of malaysian drivers? or majority of malaysian ap kings….honestly kudos to syed mokhtar and umw for actually officially bringing in a manual model….bmw and volkswagen dont even do that
Many dream to drive a manual, wanna to be a street racer.
In reality, 99.9% still go for AUTO.
(proud owner of Peugeot RCZ manual)
Why would anyone buy a car like this if they want an automatic? This is blasphemy.
You know who will want to buy a car like this in auto? Posers. Its like automatic 350z owners. Yuck.
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Malaysian distributor has got it all wrong on this. miata has to be manual
No manual? Then it better have steering mounted shifters so we can rev the tiny engine.
that tiny motor churns out highest power output in NA form compare to any other engine with similar capacity.
at 129bhp from a 1.5 litre engine while proton 1.6 turbo engine has 137bhp.
The American Honda Fit, which also has a NA 1.5 engine, makes 1 hp more power. The Fit also makes 4 extra NM of torque. This is probably the reason why the US MX-5 will be getting a 2.0 – so that a Fit driver won’t have any funny idea of out-dragging the MX-5 when the lights turn green.
I dont think it is appropriate to compare turbocharged with NA. FYI Proton Satria Neo Lotus producing 145HP from 1.6 mill
No doubt auto will sell well than manual but the manual should be offer as ‘per-order basis’ at least…
Complains complains complains. Bring the car into Malaysia, say no manual; when they give manual variant, say dsg better, or price too high, not enough airbags.
When was the last time you bought a manual to drive? If u love it then there is lotus or Renault to get a maunal… Cannot afford? Go look for a second hand manual unit. Still got a “but” in your excuse? Then STFU.
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Which is why I gave 2 different options. Also when it comes to 2 seaters, practicality is has little impact as most of these cars have very little practicality
Thank goodness, someone with sense and rationale.
They’ll just whine all the way, all little champions within their thoughts and behind their words.
In the end, they’re no less than those who hogs the roads, potong in out w/o indicators, tailgate others, etc etc. Oh and one I really have to mention: Those who, for whatever cow reasons, create a massive angle (as if they drive a lorry or bus) by sipping into the other lane in order to make any turns/u-turns.
Can’t we just appreciate the beauty and legacy within this car? Not yet driven, and the critics are out. Typical of this nation, no?
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LOLOLOL. Think u just made a comment which include yourself. How silly can you be? :D
The phrase “Freedom of Speech” is so wrongly used here..
And the sarcasm makes YOU look dumb, not him/her (Ubunchofwhiners)..
*facepalm*
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Your so-called “encouragement” is actually a sort of psychological reversal defense mechanism; i.e. you try to reverse your negative into a positive to make it seem that you’re er…..winning?
In other words, though VASTLY inaccurately described by the meaning of the word, is not able to constructively and logically counter-react to a damning situation.
Btw, are you from up North?
Ahahahahaha….. sound like you have some zits yet to pop. Grow up first then talk. Unless you are older yet immature….. lolol
The no manual policy is weird considering this car is CBU. I can understand if its CKD, as the need to keep cost down will mean all cars that come from the factory are the same. Surely, the Japan factory can produce both manual and auto?
Anyways, its not the transmission one should be worried about. Its rather the lack of power & torque. The American Honda Fit (Jazz in Malaysia) makes slightly more power & torque from its Direct Injected 1.5 engine. Imagine that, a subcompact 5 seater family car making more power than a RWD sportscar. Of course, the Fit is slightly heavier, but not by much. Come on Mazda, give us the 2.0 engine.
I’m guessing it all has to do with sales. The MX-5 isn’t exactly used for the same purposes as they are in NA, where you can buy one cheap and people track them. Sales are low as it is, and I doubt most of them go to enthusiasts.
Bermaz needs to bring those cars using APs, and since APs are limited and bermaz needs to provide after sales service, they’d rather pick a single variant for CBU models, if demand exceed expectations , maybe the 2.0 with manual box would be brought in as well….
wtf 1.5, 130 hp and 150nm?are u all blind..
even a mayvi can follow this mx 5.wtf is wrong with mazduh
lol clearly you don’t get the main reason why the original MX-5 sold in massive numbers.
1.5? Bermaz better sell it dirt cheap…
Power is not what this car is about, it is about the fun of driving. Really, the fun of driving is not always about power. We should have a broader definition when it comes to driving thrills.
I can understand why only auto will be brought in, from a marketing standpoint.
buy recon BRZ/86 better, ada manual lagi
What!? No manual? Booooooo……..
all asking for manual manual manual. but in realiti all of u are just driving auto.even if its manual u all cant afford so bermaz bring in auto for the mass market. anyhow, since its a cabriolet. expected price more then rm 150 k for this turtle car
manual manual manual.. all asking for manual but in realiti everyone is just driving auto. which is why bermaz bring in auto only like most makes.even there is manual u all cant afford also. as for a cabriolet, expected price 150k above for this turtle car is a big nay nay
Bring in the hardtop please. Looks much better when roof up.
this must be less than 140k..otherwise, 129hp 150nm is a joke.
rather get Mazda 3 which i think looks a lot better
Cr-z 135hp 190nm@1000rpm…most ppl said slow lile turtle & easily smoke by myv and not worth 120k…now this 129hp 150nm@high 4800rpm.. easily >150k…so this is baby turtle? Can sell? Lol..
Are we goin to have soft top, hard top, or both option?
What’s the point driving an automatic MX-5? It’s an enthusiast car. Atleast made it an option. damn.
not like your gona buy anyway lol
If price like Mazda2, i dont care it is manual or auto…. just buy…
Mazda 3 ,2.0, CBU Japan, RM 140k. MX 5 ,1.5, CBU Japan, technically should be < RM 140k. If price over RM 140k, bermaz please give us a good explanation about the price structure.
Shame on you Mazda for not bringing in a manual. Come on, it’s a Miata! Not a soccer-mom’s CX-5.
Bermaz would surely have done their research and found, albeit all the noises from the so-called enthusiasts, most that actually buy the car probably just want a stylish convertible. They go for the market which they think will maximize their profit.
If you really, really want the manual, then group around. Proof to Bermaz that you have the numbers and more importantly, the money. I’m sure they are more than willing to accommodate if there are enough bucks to be made.
What? Auto? That is purist driving defiled! The engine choice is questionable but 2.0L is still the one for the torque. Skyactive do not like regular petrol. Thank goodness I am in North America.
Seriously? Only automatics? God, I’m glad I have my NA model. That’s unheard of and completely idiotic. What’s the point in an automatic sports car?