Here's what they said back
in 1990, just after the 1989 launch of the much-loved Mazda MX-5
...
A
first-ever feat
The Mazda MX-5's 1989 awards (left
to right): Modern Motor's "best Car", Wheels' "Car
of the Year" and Car Australia's "Car of Australia".
Never before has a sports car won
any of the awards offered by Australia's three
major motoring magazines. It was, therefore, unprecedented that
Mazda's new MX-5 sports car should have won any, let alone all
three.
The oldest award is presented by Wheels
magazine who, on three out of the award's 26-year history,
has declined to nominate a "Car of the Year", so demanding
are the criteria.
The MX-5 was judged by nine critics -- including journalist
staff members, race drivers and a former automotive industry engineer
-- and it won six of their primary votes to become "Car of
the Year".
Car Australia gave the sexy two-seater
the nod after staff members compared the vehicle with a shortlist
of other vehicles released on the Australian market during 1989.
There was little doubt as to which vehicle best fulfilled this
magazine's criteria -- the MX-5 -- and so it became "Car
of Australia 1989". It also won the "Best Sports Car"
category.
Modern Motor has given the judgement
of "Best Car" of any of the last 10 years to Australia's
motoring press corps which numbers in excess of 40 full-time writers.
Journalists are given 20 points to allocate to the year's offerings,
with no one vehicle to receive more than 10.
By the largest margin ever in the 10-year history of this award,
the MX-5 became the "Best Car of 1989/90", thus completing
the "trifecta". Again it won the "Best Sports Car"
category with this magazine.
Numerous awards have been given to the sports car overseas --
the USA's Road and Track described
it as one of the best five cars in the world; Time
said it is "one of the best designs of the decade";
Automobile gave it "Automobile
of the Year". More are expected following launches in Britain
and Europe this year.
Why has the MX-5 been so heralded?
According to the critics, the car combines classic sports car
characteristics (suspension, steering, styling) with modern technology
(twist-free body, roof easy to raise and lower) so well that it
is worthy of these awards.
They note the sheer pleasure of driving, the sporty exhaust
sound and the absence of distracting gadgetry.
The MX-5 ushered back a golden era that has been absent for
more than 20 years. And the critics loved it!
-- this article appeared
in "Mazda Life" (published by Mazda Australia) -- Autumn
1990 edition
Many awards given, and "more are expected" ... and
more came! The following are just some of the awards achieved
around the world after 1989 launch:
- One of World's Five Best Cars (Road & Track, USA)
- Car of The Year (Wheels Magazine)
- One of the Ten Best Cars (Car & Driver)
- Best Handling Car Money Can Buy (Autocar & Motor)
- Best Sports Car (Car of Australia)
- Best Car (Modern Motor)
- Best Sports Car (Modern Motor)
- One of Top 10 Cars (Motor Trend)
- Automobile of the Year (Automobile, USA)
- Australia's Best Handling Car (Wheels)
- Best Sports Car (Autocar & Motor)
- Best Product Design (Business Week)
- Best Design of the Decade (Time Magazine, USA)
In 2005 the then-new NC model also
won the prestigious Wheels Magazine "Car of the Year"
award. Click
here to read why ...
