The world's most popular two-seat roadster, Mazda MX-5, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with another prestigious motoring award.

The ever-popular MX-5 fended off the challenge from premium European competition to be awarded the Best Sports Roadster under $150K in the annual Wheels magazine Gold Star Cars Awards. A solid performance against each of the judging criteria saw the MX-5 come out ahead of the Mercedes Benz SLK 350 and the Audi TTS Roadster.

While the MX-5 is globally renowned for its impressive ride and handling, the focus of the Wheels Gold Star Cars Awards extends further than just driving dynamics. An expert panel of judges evaluates each vehicle against ten different criteria to identify the car that offers the best ownership proposition in its category.

The Mazda MX-5 is no stranger to winning awards having won over 180 gongs worldwide since its introduction in 1989. In this time, it has also been a two-time winner of Wheels Car of the Year, in 1989 and 2005.

"For the MX-5 to win its category in the Wheels Gold Star Cars Awards against such premium competition really speaks volumes about its quality. This award continues to highlight the reasons why the MX-5 remains popular with Australian buyers 20 years after it was first launched," said Mazda Australia's managing director Doug Dickson.

"The MX-5 offers class-leading handling and design combined with excellent levels of safety and comfort. And when you also consider the exceptional value it provides owners, it's little wonder the MX-5 remains the world's best-selling open two-seat sports car."

The Wheels Gold Star Cars Awards were published in the November issue of the newly revamped Wheels magazine.

For more information contact:

Steve Maciver
Public Relations Manager
(03) 8540 1961
0437 125 589
smaciver@mazda.com.au

Lydia Richards
Media Communications Manager
(03) 8540 1962
0439 347 658
lrichards@mazda.com.au