Mazda MX-5 roadster drives away with award
NEW YORK— The Mazda MX-5 roadster was named 2016 World Car of the Year this week at the New York Auto Show.
It was a good day for the MX-5, which was also named World Car Design of the Year at the same ceremony. The Audi R8 coupe was named World Performance Car, the BMW 7 Series was named World Luxury Car and the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai was named World Green Car.
Masahiro Moro, the new president of Mazda North America, accepted the award and congratulated the company’s team, but he also thanked all the MX-5 owners who have established the car’s reputation over the past 26 years of its production.
“This is a brand icon that embodies the essence of spirited driving,” he said.
Earlier, after accepting the award for World Car Design, Moro said this is an important time for Mazda, finally winning after being a finalist for an award three years in a row.
The Mazda MX-5 has a base price of $31,900 in Canada.
The Mazda beat the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC for the overall title, which were shortlisted after preliminary voting late last year. Not all contenders have to be sold in Canada or even North America, but all are sold on at least two continents.
A panel of 73 automotive journalists from around the world voted anonymously to select the winners.
The World Car Awards jurors observed that “with the launch of its all-new MX-5, Mazda has thrown out the blueprint and gone back to basics — back to 1989 basics.
“Shorter, lower, wider and — most importantly — lighter, the new MX-5 comes with a choice of either 1.5 or 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol (gasoline) engines and the promise of unparalleled ‘ Jinba ittai’ — a term meaning oneness between car and driver. And yes, it’s still one of the best driver’s cars around.”
The MX-5’s win for World Car Design was notable because a new Targa version of the car is making its debut at the New York Auto Show. The surprise unveiling of the simple but radical design has been greeted enthusiastically by the media. Freelance writer Mark Richardson is a former editor of Toronto Star Wheels. To reach him, email and put his name in the subject line.