Webwatch: we review what’s hot on the net

THE new Mazda MX-5 goes on sale next month and the Japanese brand has launched a dedicated microsite aimed at winning pre-orders.

Managers of outright purchase fleets and user-choosers alike are tempted to order the two-seater roadster by following the simple three-step guide.

Step one is a presentation of the different equipment levels available with the new car and offers details of the four derivatives available from launch. Each model is accompanied with pictures and an in-depth table of prices and technical data.

Step one is completed with the ‘online changing room’. A picture on the right-hand side of the screen shows the colour of chosen MX-5, price and estimated delivery date. An appealing feature was the rotate function, giving different angles of the car.

Users click on ‘reserve car’ to move to step two. Here you begin the transaction process and users are asked to fill out their personal information in an online form.

But, be warned. You should be convinced you want a new MX-5. Complete the pre-order process and you pay a £15 processing charge. So proceed to step three’s confirmation page with caution.

The process is so speedy that it’s almost frightening. MX-5 fans will take pleasure in pre-ordering their favourite model in such a ‘supermarket-sweep’ way.

But others may be more wary about this. Don’t let your young children know about it! There is an unashamed simplicity to the site that while easy on the brain lacks something for the eye.

Check out the Mercedes-Benz B-class mini-site (www.b-klasse.com) for a lesson in winning over the heart before advancing on the brain.

The Mercedes site is a lesson in making the use of graphics, sound and the latest internet technology to maximise the appeal of a car.

The Mazda site doesn’t do enough in comparison to win the hearts and minds of non-MX-5-fanatics.