It"s the ultimate fashion...
It"s the ultimate fashion statement from Mercedes. The firm is building a limited-edition CLK in collaboration with Italian design house Giorgio Armani. Only 100 "Collection Armani" models will be made, with matt-finish paint and brown leather trim. The car will be a convertible only, costing around í‚á£75,000.
As you can see in the...
As you can see in the mag"s images, the two-seater"s classic shape has been preserved, but both the front and rear now have a more aggressive appearance, with styling cues borrowed from the larger RX-8.
As the current car has clocked up more than 710,000 sales worldwide since its launch in 1989, it"s no surprise that designers - under the leadership of Brit Moray Callum - have been reluctant to change a winning formula. The new model is still instantly recognisable as a Mazda, and has just enough design flair to look new without alienating the current fan base.
We revealed in issue 826 that the car will be the first in the world to come with a choice of two roofs - a soft-top or a metal folding one. The model seen in the mag is the former, and it"s due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Chief designer Takao Kijima said of the new car: "You can expect a model that carries on our original formula of "lightweight sports" and great handling. We will pick up where the current machine leaves off." The coup탩-cabrio is set to appear at the Swiss event in 2006.
However, two aspects of the current car where improvement is essential are interior space and performance. Sources tell us the new cabin will take much of its styling from the Ibuki concept, which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show 12 months ago. Expect more modern shapes and textures than those found in the present model. The seats will offer greater adjustment to cater for tall drivers - currently a weak point. Under the bonnet, Mazda will offer three engines, only two of which will come to the UK. While power and torque specifications are still unconfirmed, the existing 160bhp 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit is expected to be complemented by a 2.0 motor delivering upwards of 170bhp. A flagship 2.3 powerplant will be sold in the US.
Mated to either a six-speed manual or five-ratio automatic gearbox, Kijima confirmed the new model will not only offer style, but uphold the existing model"s reputation for fine driving dynamics. We asked him how he is going to improve one of the world"s best-handling sports cars. Kijima admitted that won"t be easy: "Sure, it"s a challenge, because the current car is so good and has so much feedback. But be assured that we"ll deliver on our promise to make it even better."
Sales in the MX-5"s native Japan will begin next summer, with the first UK machines arriving in showrooms before the end of the year.