New 2015 Mazda MX-5 revealed

Mazda has revealed the fourth generation MX-5 ahead of a 2015 debut. It’s new, lighter and faster and should be fun to drive.

[nggallery id=1933 template=customlinks]

The Mazda MX-5 is the car we, the British, would still be making if we hadn’t forgotten how to make fun to drive and affordable roadsters for the common man. Fortunately, Mazda has taken up the Mantle with the MX-5 over the last 25 years, and the new 2015 MX-5 looks like it will offer more of the same.

The new MX-5 has a new chassis, a pair of new SkyActiv petrol engines and manages to be lighter and smaller than the current MX-5 – which augers very well for its appeal and ability.

Mazda has cut weight from the chassis and used aluminium for the boot, front wings and bonnet – as well as fitting a lighter soft top – which should all conspire to make the new MX-5 even nimbler than previous generations thanks also to a little less length, a little more width and a lower stance.

Engine choices will be 2.0 litre and 1.5 litre petrol SkyActive units with, it’s expected, around 140 and 200bhp respectively, and be mated to a new SkyActive MT six-speed manual gearbox, all set further back to create a perfect 50:50 weight distribution.

More details on the 2015 Mazda MX-5 will be revealed closer to launch, which is expected to be summer 2015.