What are we looking at?
The all-new Mazda MX-5, the fourth generation of a series of light, simple sports cars that's almost singularly responsible for re-invigorating the worldwide demand for roadsters. Some 950,000 examples have been sold since it was introduced in 1989, the MX-5 pretty much universally loved by everybody from those sold on its good looks, to those loving how it drives.
What's the best thing about it?
Mazda's rigid honesty; had the MX-5 gone the way of Japanese sports cars and coupés before it the MX-5 would be some quad-turbo, four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer, paddle-shifted monster. It's not; it remains utterly faithful to the light, simple and pure concept of the original. And that's what's so brilliant about it. So we've got a rear-wheel drive chassis, a six-speed manual transmission and a 1.5-litre petrol engine powering it. Add 50/50 weight distribution and a drop-top and the MX-5 represents pure driving pleasure, at a price that the hoi polloi can afford.
Show stopper or filler?
A new MX-5 comes along rarely, so we'd say show stopper for this one. The jury's still out on the looks (it looks better in the metal than in pictures), but Mazda's faithfulness to the original concept is to be applauded. We cannot wait to drive it.