Mazda MX-5 Club – LSD, Bilsteins, tower brace for MT

Mazda MX-5 Club-11

The zoom-zoom brand brought the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Club to the 2015 New York International Auto Show, marking the world debut of the North American-focused Club model.

The MX-5 Club improves performance with trim-level exclusives, and will come with 17-inch gunmetal alloys with 205/45 tyres, limited-slip differential, Bilstein shocks, shock tower brace and front air dam and rear lip spoilers. The rims and styling bits are for auto and manual versions, but the juicy bits (LSD, shocks, brace) are only for the Skyactiv-MT. As if the stick shift MX-5 wasn’t desirable enough…

Also available for the MX-5 Club is a package that equips the roadster with forged lightweight BBS 17-inch wheels, Brembo front brakes and functional aerodynamic side sill extensions and rear bumper skirt that were previewed at the recent Chicago Auto Show and on the MX-5 Global Cup race car.

In case you’re wondering, this isn’t a stripped-out plaything. Standard equipment on MX-5 Club models includes Mazda Connect infotainment system with a seven-inch touch-screen, HD and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, two USB ports, piano black side mirrors and seatback bars and a nine-speaker Bose audio system with headrest speakers.

All MX-5s bound for North America will come with compact LED headlights, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and a 2.0 litre engine. Europe and Japan will get a 129 hp/150 Nm 1.5 litre motor.

The MX-5 2.0L is coming to Malaysia this year, but it’s not all good news, and you’ll find out why here.


Mazda MX-5 at the 2014 Paris Motor Show

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Yeah, it’s not all good news because it’s auto only. It’s because Bermaz think Malaysian drivers are pussies.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
    • Ahpooh on Apr 07, 2015 at 10:47 am

      Lol. What did you expect when Malaysians demand items like cruise control for their day to day supermarket trips?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
    • Same L0rrrr on Apr 07, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Looked so similar to our GT86. But still miles away in term of handling.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 75
      • Nathan Ferdinand on Apr 07, 2015 at 12:53 pm

        What, similar to 86?

        You cannot get a driving pleasure of a roadster in 86. Even 86 Open is cancelled. In terms of handling too, yes, miles away MX-5 is much better.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 1
        • Same L0rrrr on Apr 07, 2015 at 2:42 pm

          Think before you speak.
          Compare the little MX5 with Top Gear 2012 car of year? You only embarrass yourself!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 60
          • Nathan Ferdinand on Apr 07, 2015 at 3:28 pm

            TG car of the year? Pff. Jeremy Clarkson even listed it in TG’s worst car in the world.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 1
          • Obviously (Member) on Apr 07, 2015 at 3:40 pm

            Nay. That’s 2012. The MX-5 has been in its current generation since 2005 with only minor updates along the way. In its current form, with a return to its old fundamental of being a lightweight, rear-wheel-driven roadster, it is a force to be reckoned with.

            Miles away in terms of handling? Try both before speaking. Obviously, I won’t be able to try both, so I’ll leave it to these autojournos to do a comparo.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
          • Nathan Ferdinand on Apr 07, 2015 at 3:52 pm

            If you want to see the comparison of both cars, try this link:

            http://youtu.be/ytxJvuTy8As
            http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring/subaru-brz-vs-nissan-370z-vs-mazda-mx-5
            http://m.drive.com.au/motor-news/toyota-86-a-new-classic-20120913-25ufz.html

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
          • blaster88 on Apr 08, 2015 at 2:09 pm

            Sam, You seriously do not know much about cars? Do you?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
      • 2 things: mid-ship rear, & near 50:50 weight distribution. with these, mx-5 wins handling hands down.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Obviously (Member) on Apr 07, 2015 at 10:25 am

    I wonder if they accept special orders for bringing in an MT version…I hope they do.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • would be great if Mazda equipped that beauty with turbo constant maximum torque in the usable range. Cannot miss the turbo nowadays,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • exterior design ok ok only. no wow factor.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • safety 1st on Apr 07, 2015 at 10:59 am

    They have done the survey….those who can afford this car prefers the auto…and those who said they are the car guys and would want a manual shift cant afford to trash the 200k++ car for the weekend track day.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • neemfa on Apr 07, 2015 at 12:50 pm

      You are right.. they made the market survey. those car guys who can afford 200k++ MT will not buy this. Too little power and girlish.

      Roadsters are too niche.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Nathan Ferdinand on Apr 07, 2015 at 11:26 am

    AT only, not MT? Sadly. Other markets offer both AT and MT. EU market only offers MT.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • sepul on Apr 07, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Sad but true, our market preference is dominated by automatics and purist car like this is overpriced for the average salarymen to buy. The rich and fancy who can afford them are not pure enough to drive a stick shift, so these cars come with auto only.

    UMW had to pull off the 86 while Motor Image only offers the BRZ with auto and no special order for manual, but they do have for WRX.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Simple Bermaz, make the 1.5 manual available or commit suicide like you did with the last gen. People who have actually driven a manual mx5 properly will know what its all about. The rest will just think its a show piece.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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