HIROSHIMA, Japan — Mazda has made mostly minor detail changes to its face-lifted 2009 roadster. The two-seater, sold in most overseas markets as the MX-5, is priced in Japan starting at $23,990 for the base soft-top model to $31,870 for the range-topping version with power-retractable hardtop.
On the outside, Mazda has fitted a new five-point grille and updated headlamps, foglamps and taillamps. New alloy wheels are available in 16- and 17-inch sizes, and three new colors — including Sunflower Yellow — are offered.
Inside, the gauge cluster has been revised, and customers can order Recaro bucket seats upholstered in leather and Alcantara.
Under the skin, Mazda has retuned the suspension, lowered the front roll center height, boosted the engine rev limiter to 7,500 rpm and upgraded the optional six-speed automatic transmission, adding new Active Adaptive Shift and Direct Mode functions.
Inside Line says: It's the little things that count. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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