Mazda PH has formally launched the 2015 MX-5 at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.

Designed to provide "pure driving pleasure", the fourth generation MX-5 features Mazda’s Kodo design language as well as the SkyActiv technology. As a review, the said vehicle was first previewed by Mazda PH during the 2015 Manila International Auto Show last April. That was also the first time that the 2015 MX-5 was shown in the ASEAN region.

According to Mazda PH President and CEO Steven Tan, the 2015 MX-5 was designed to deliver joy in driving and the company is confident that the vehicle will provide "unique" top-down experience.

"The amount of design and engineering effort that was put in by Mazda engineers into this latest generation MX-5 is intended to deliver joy in driving. We are confident that the all-new MX-5 will not only achieve its goals of providing unique top-down driving experience but will set a new benchmark in providing more smiles not only to its owners but to everyone who sees the car," said Tan.

Gracing the event were Masashi Nakayama, the all-new Mazda MX-5’s chief designer; Hiroshi Inoue, Executive Officer of Mazda Motor Corporation; Hitoshi Takamatsu, the all-new Mazda MX-5’s deputy program manager for vehicle development promotion and Tom Matano, designer of the first- and second-generation Mazda MX-5. In addition, the Miata Club Philippines was also present during the launch.

In terms of the design, the 2015 MX-5 is fitted with angular LED headlights, an aggressive bumper and the roadster’s signature smiling grill intake. Compared to its predecessor, the vehicle looks curvier due to the flowing lines that characterize the MX-5’s side.

The rear of the 2015 MX-5 has circular taillights, a large bumper, dual exhaust pipes and prominent wheel arches.  The vehicle also has a third brake light as well as a black garnish seen on the lower bumper. The 2015 MX-5 is finished off with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

Inside, the 2015 MX-5 has a two-tone interior theme along with aluminum trims. It also has round air-con vents, a three-spoke steering wheel with audio-mounted controls, and Mazda’s in-car connectivity system called MZD Connect.

Under the hood, the 2015 MX-5 is equipped with a 2.0-liter SkyActiv gasoline engine that delivers 160 PS at 6000rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4600rpm. The engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Mazda PH did not reveal the price of the 2015 MX-5. However, based on their official website, pricing for the all-new MX-5 are as follows:

2.0L SkyActiv M/T            PhP 1,680,000

2.0L SkyActiv A/T            PhP 1,860,000

(additional 16,800 for Soul Red exterior paint)