Safety & Equipment - On-road Safety and Comfort

- Side airbags to protect head and thorax
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) standard on all models (depending on market)
- iPod*-compatible audio system newly introduced with Roadster Coupe

*iPod is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.

The third-generation Mazda MX-5, both soft top and Roadster Coupe models, are the first Mazda roadsters to have side airbags as standard (depending on market). These are installed in the outer section of the seatbacks and protect the head and thorax. They consist of two chambers. Each chamber is activated at the same time by a common gas generator and a single inflator. This single inflation process delivers a decisive time advantage over conven- tional dual-stage airbag systems, in which both chambers are filled with gas one after the other. Furthermore, the upper and slightly larger chamber (that protects the head) inflates firmer and for a longer time, than the lower chamber. In this way, Mazda achieves a similar effect to vehicles with a permanent hard top equipped with curtain airbags.

Other passive safety features include ISOFIX anchors for securing a child safety seat in the passenger seat, and the front passenger seat airbag can be deactivated with the ignition key. Both the steering wheel column and the brake pedals are designed to reduce the risk of lower body injury to the driver in case of a serious front impact, and both seats have three-point seat belts with pretensioners and load- limiters.

In the extremely unlikely event that the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe could ever roll over, protection is provided to the passengers by bracing bars integrated into the A-pillars made of ultra-high-strength steel (1,500 Mpa), a massive windshield frame and reinforcements behind the seats. Also, large body shell cross members protect passengers in case of side impact.

58 percent of the body shell is made of either ultra-high- strength or high-strength steel, both of which are three times stronger than normal types of steel and allowed for an ideal combination of thin, lightweight material that is extremely strong. The bonnet is made of aluminium and has been optimized for pedestrian protection. Its inner bonnet panel is made of a shock-cone structure that effectively absorbs impact energy applied to the outside of the bonnet from above.



MZR 2.0-litre Versions come Standard with Limited-Slip Differential

Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe's active safety package includes ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and DSC with traction control system (TCS). The 2.0-litre version also comes with a super LSD (limited-slip differen- tial) with especially soft functionality.

Standard equipment includes 16-inch wheels with 205/50 tyres, steering wheel height adjustment, aero board, retractable key, heated rear window, remote central locking, electric power windows and a Mazda audio system.



17-inch Aluminium Alloys also Available

Also available (depending on market) are features like manual air conditioning, climate control, 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels, leather interior with seat heating, metallic paint, Xenon headlights with headlight cleaning system, automatic headlight levelling and fog lights. Also available is the keyless entry and start system "LogIn" and an anti-theft alarm system (depending on market).

An optional BOSE sound system with seven speakers and CD-changer is available as well. It employs electronic frequency control and signal adjustment technology to deliver high levels of musical enjoyment even driving with the top down.

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