Venture out on a new Mazda MX-5

The MX-5: some say it's the ultimate hairdresser's car, some say it's the best thing ever to come out of Japan. Whatever your view, there's now a limited edition version on sale just in time for the weather to improve. We hope. We're eternal optimists at TotallyMotor.

Priced from £18,995 OTR, the Mazda MX-5 Venture Edition is available as a 1.8-litre Soft-top or a 2.0-litre Roadster Coupe (£22,285 OTR) and it adds a few high-end touches to this most accessible of sportscars.

A Sanyo TomTom sat-nav with a 5.8-inch screen is standard as are heated leather seats. The roof retracts up or down in a rather swift 12 seconds - the fastest on the market, so Mazda says - and just as well given that while we can't wait for spring to be sprung, we also know how quickly it can rain on one's parade. Ah, Britain! But we digress. We can also tell you the standard specs include 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, chrome front grille, special badging and it's trimmed with piano black fashion bars. Stylish!

There will be three exterior colours - Metropolitan Grey Mica and two new colours exclusive to the Venture at no extra cost - Radiant Ebony Mica and Crystal White Pearlescent.

Inside, as well the rather lovely heated leather seats, the steering wheel and handbrake are also kitted out in brown leather with contrast grey stitching. The pedals are alloy, there's cruise control and there's iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.

Naturally, it's not just about the looks. There's some tasty power to be had too. The 1.8-litre Soft-top has 124bhp and five-speed gearbox, while the 158bhp Roadster has a six-speed ‘box. The 0-60mph dash takes 9.9 seconds in the Soft-top and 7.9 seconds in the Roadster. Top speeds are 121mph and 136mph respectively.

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and traction control are standard on both models and the Roadster Coupe model is also equipped with a limited slip differential for better handling, and side airbags.

But you'll have to hurry - they're only unleashing 250 Soft-tops and 550 Roadsters onto the UK market.

www.mazda.co.uk

















By Georgia Lewis

Follow us @TotallyMotor