New details are released about the 2016 ND MX-5, its launch and how you can virtually drive one now.
The excitement surrounding the 2016, fourth-generation ND MX-5 is building before it goes on sale this summer, with the announcement of the Club edition this week at the New York International Auto Show and the build of the first prototypes of the next MX-5 Cup car. Mazda North American Operations has also made several other announcements concerning the car’s sale beginning this summer.
First, the (manufacturer’s suggested retail) price of the 2016 MX-5 will be $24,915 – excluding destination charges, tax, title, license, options and dealer charges – in entry level sport trim. The Sport trim is the basic car, providing unadulterated, wind-in-the-hair driving. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, as are LED headlights, USB audio input, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, leather-wrapped shift knob and power door locks. Aside from the Sport and the Club edition, there will also be a Grand Touring edition with more premium amenities.
The first buyers, though, will be getting their hands on the Launch Edition, which will be the first model to go on sale and limited to the initial 1000 roadsters. Each one will come in Soul Red, the color found on the Mazda SKYACTIV Prototypes and the cars of Mazda scholarship racers, with a Sport Tan leather interior – an exclusive color combination to the Launch Edition.
“The MX-5 Launch Edition will give enthusiasts the opportunity to take ownership of one of the very first, very exclusive, 2016 MX-5s to arrive in the U.S.,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “Along with the privilege of exclusivity and being among the first 1000 to take delivery, owners will be able to enjoy our latest entertainment, safety and luxury technologies – many of which are unique among sports cars. And of course, they’ll be the first to experience the exhilaration of being behind the wheel of one of the last true lightweight, driver-focused sports cars available today.”
Starting May 5, customers who preregistered at www.longlivetheroadster.com will have the opportunity to return to the site to place a $500 deposit toward the purchase of an MX-5 Launch Edition, until the 1,000-car allotment is reserved. Full pricing will be announced at a later date.
Finally, if you just can’t wait to get your hands on a physical MX-5, you can go drive it right now. Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is giving Forza Horizon 2 players the exclusive opportunity to drive the all-new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata on Xbox One months before the physical car goes on sale to the public. Additionally, by taking advantage of the free download of the car, and driving it in the game, users will have the chance to win one by competing in the new Time Trial Rivals Contest.
In addition to the free download for the 2016 MX-5, the Mazda MX-5 pack gives Forza Horizon 2 gaming enthusiasts the chance to collect and drive the 2010 MX-5 Super20 SEMA concept car, 1990 MX-5 and 2005 MAZDASPEED MX-5. To download, after logging into Xbox Live on Xbox One, users can head to the Mazda landing page to find the car pack.
The Time Trial Rivals Contest, which is ongoing through Thursday, April 30, will give Forza Horizon 2 players the opportunity to win a 2016 MX-5. To enter, users must log into Xbox Live using their Xbox One console and navigate to any one of the following channels: Games, Music, Movies or Apps. From there, users may see a Mazda MX-5 ad and must click into the Mazda MX-5 ad landing experience. Once on the hub, users must register to enter the contest by following the prompts on the contest page. Players will be required to play in the appropriate Rival Mode event (the “Mazda MX-5 Challenge”) using the 2016 Mazda MX-5 vehicle from the Forza Horizon 2 Mazda MX-5 Car Pack on the Sisteron Perimeter Sprint Track. The two players with the fastest times will be flown to Los Angeles in June to compete head-to-head in a winner-take-all race, with the winner receiving a 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata.