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MX-5 Special: RC 2.0
When style, driving pleasure and practicality are one thing only. Marcello sees his MX-5 like this: “British style like the old lightweight spider, easy excellent handling, even with discrete displacements and horses, combined with comfort and security of modern cars.” Marcello’s MX-5 is an RC, a 2009 hardtop Roadster Coupe, with a Stormy Blue exterior combined with black leather interior: “I find it perfect for my needs thanks to the retractable hard top that transforms it from coupe to roadster in seconds and without taking up too much space in the trunk!” Practicality aside, Marcello clearly does not forget about driving fun: equipped with the more powerful 2.0 engine with 160 hp, his MX-5 received dowry small changes which, while not changing too much on the outside, just influenced the driving dynamics having fitted Bilstein sports suspension up to 3 cm lower than standard and an original exhaust, but without silencer, for a slightly more metallic sound. Completing the external modifications, we find the side indicators in white instead of the classic orange, yellow film on the fog lamps and the MAZDA sticker on the left side of the front as well as on the very first series of MX-5 in the early 90s. But with so many spiders, why the eye fell right on the MX-5? “I purchased this one second hand, back in 2013 with about 40,000 kilometers and now it has 70,000: it’s my everyday car. The choice of the model was dictated by the desire to have (again) a fun spider, with a modern but not futuristic look. It has an excellent handling even in its original trim, but with the few changes I made to the suspension, I can use it in peace trough city streets (including potholes, cobblestones, rails …) as much as I can do on winding roads (without suffering that much ) and on the most exciting corners of the various Alps passes, not very far away from me!” In the wake of enthusiasm Marcello describes some of the roads already traveled at the wheel of his MX-5: “The moment I bought it, I decided to make a journey of about 3,000 kilometers across Britain. Good roads (deserted) and breathtaking views that wanted me to drive with top down, despite the weather was not always good! Even on long-distance motorway trips, my MX-5 is a comfortable car and, for two people, is also spacious. Travelling with the top down on country and mountain roads allows you to savor the smells of nature and the season you’re living in, just grinding kilometers and having fun! I really like driving with the roof open at night in the streets of my city: you can discover points of view and building angles that you would not notice in any other way! And while on the subject “city”, I have to say that I started to appreciate the many roundabouts, which today grow like mushrooms … !!” So Marcello, where else where you have never been, would you like to drive your MX-5? “Certainly in every other place that has breathtaking views, on roads with little traffic and many bends. Actually, a trip that represents a long time dream of mine, is North Cape …. and I think that the MX-5 could be an excellent partner for this amazing journey. But I think that in every country and town there is a “magic” place to discover, so I’m also happy for my weekend trips I do not far from my home “ You’re right Marcello: it takes a little to enjoy with the MX-5!
Words by Antonio Iafelice
Photo Credits: Davide Carletti
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