Mazda Highlighted Heritage Fleet at Royal Tunbridge Wells Festival of Motoring

It is a little-known fact that the Kent town of Royal Tunbridge Wells hosted the first motor show in Great Britain. Back in 1895, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Horseless Carriage Exhibition attracted huge crowds, and this important motoring milestone was celebrated over the weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August. More than 20 carefully curated classic cars were displayed along the tree-lined Georgian walkways of The Pantiles, in the heart of the picturesque town.

The unique motoring festival featured an eclectic display of vehicles, exhibited by local world-renowned specialists, restorers, and racing teams. The event celebrated both the local area and 130 years of motoring history.

Mazda’s historical connection to Tunbridge Wells stems from the fact that, prior to the founding of Mazda UK in 2001, the brand’s official importer operated out of the town from the early 1970s through to the end of the 1990s. Even today, Mazda UK’s heritage fleet is stored and maintained in Tunbridge Wells, underlining the brand’s lasting ties to the area. Earlier this year, local dealer Hendy Group opened a new Mazda dealership at the Kingstanding Business Park, marking the latest chapter in Mazda’s retail presence in the town.

Thanks to this strong local connection, Mazda UK showcased its iconic 1969 Mazda Cosmo across the weekend as part of the festival. The event, presented in association with Octane Magazine, provided a fitting platform to celebrate Mazda’s legacy alongside other standout vehicles from British and global motoring history.

Spotlight on the All-New Mazda CX-5

In addition to its heritage display, Mazda also offered visitors a glimpse into the future by previewing the all-new Mazda CX-5. First introduced in 2012 as the debut model for Mazda’s “KODO – Soul of Motion” design philosophy and breakthrough SKYACTIV Technology, the CX-5 grew to become Mazda’s global best-seller, with over 4.5 million units sold in more than 100 countries.

At the festival, Mazda showcased the evolution of this popular SUV, now entering its third generation. Developed with the concept of “New Generation Emotional Daily Comfort,” the new CX-5 continues to embody the brand’s signature Jinba-Ittai driving experience—where car and driver feel as one—while offering enhanced comfort, quietness, and practicality for everyday use.

With a refined interior, improved ride comfort, and updated Human-Machine Interface (HMI) technology, the new CX-5 aimed to impress not only with its sporty design and performance but also its functionality for modern lifestyles. Features such as expanded app connectivity and enhanced driver-assistance systems showcased Mazda’s ongoing commitment to safety, innovation, and driving enjoyment.

Set to arrive in European showrooms at the end of 2025, the new Mazda CX-5 generated strong interest from attendees, offering a striking contrast to the historic vehicles on display and highlighting the brand’s continued focus on blending performance, design, and comfort.