2011 Mazda MX-5 Kendo special edition UK review and pictures
Posted on Friday, 25 February 2011 , 03:02:54 byDan
Filed under MazdaLimited EditionJapanese
As Mazda had a lot of success with the MX-5, the carmaker decided to introduce a new special edition, to represent its great sportscar. Its name is the Kendo Special Edition and two versions will be available from the 1st of March 2011: the Mazda MX-5 1.8i Kendo soft top and the Mazda MX-5 2.0i Kendo roadster coupe.
Mazda UK, Sales Director Mark Cameron is very confident the two versions will be very well received on the UK market as Mazda has enjoyed 20 years of recognition and popularity with its MX-5. The Kendo models are here both for the customers that are looking for a traditional soft-top roadster and the ones that are looking for a more premium product with the Roadster Coupe.
The two versions feature different additional items of equipment, but the Kendo twins are identical with their regular siblings when it comes to the driving pleasure they offer.
New Mazda MX-5 Kendo special edition on sale from 1 March
- MX-5 Kendo soft-top costs £19,255 and Kendo roadster coupe priced at £22,320 (OTR)
- Unique stone leather interior, 17-inch tinted alloy wheels and added features
- Dolphin Grey mica finish available for first time in UK, plus Sparkling Black Mica
To celebrate global production of the Mazda MX-5 passing 900,000 units, UK sales of the world's most popular roadster reaching more than 100,000 cars and the approach of spring - Mazda is introducing a new special edition of its iconic sportscar.
The "Kendo Special Edition", is named after "The way of the Sword" - a modern Japanese martial art renowned for its fighting spirit, eye-catching dynamic movement and refinement. Two versions of the newcomer will be available from 1 March 2011. The Mazda MX-5 1.8i Kendo soft-top costs £19,255 (OTR) and the more powerful Mazda MX-5 2.0i Kendo roadster coupe has a £22,320 (OTR) price tag.
"Special Edition models of Mazda MX-5 have always been eagerly received by UK consumers and I'm sure the two new Kendo models will trigger a strong wave of fresh interest in our long-running star performer," comments Mark Cameron, Sales Director, Mazda UK. "In Britain, the Mazda MX-5 has enjoyed 20 years of incredible popularity, with UK customers accounting for over 10 percent of global sales, while it has received a host of ?best sportscar' awards from motoring and consumer media. The enhanced practicality of the third-generation models, has enabled the MX-5 to become much more than a ?sunny weekend' car and our Roadster Coupe now accounts for the majority of sales as buyers look to use their Mazda sportscar all-year round."
The Kendo models are designed to appeal to both the traditional soft-top roadster customer and those is in search of a more premium product with the Roadster Coupe. Based on the ?SE' derivatives, both Kendo models feature a unique Stone Leather interior (with Stone coloured stitching on the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake), unique 17-inch alloy wheels, exterior badging and floor mats, plus front fog lamps, heated seats, brushed aluminium style-bar trim and aluminium pedals.
The Kendo Roadster Coupe boasts three additional items of equipment - a premium BOSE? audio system, Bluetooth? hands-free and cruise control. Both versions offer a choice of Sparkling Black or Dolphin Grey mica paint finish - free of charge.
Mechanically the Kendo twins are identical with their regular siblings, delivering the same unique driving pleasure. The Kendo soft-top is powered by a 126ps 1.8-litre engine, the Roadster Coupe by a 160ps 2.0-litre unit.
"Today, the Mazda MX-5 remains unrivalled as a rewarding sportscar that can also be used for everyday motoring throughout the year. The MX-5 soft-top continues to offer the purest, fun-to-drive thrills, while the Roadster Coupe adds to those thrills with an even more premium experience, and the same exhilarating drive," adds Cameron.
