We all know how good and how much fun the MX-5 is, but can it still be fun if you cut the power from 158bhp to 129bhp?
With the arrival of the 1.5 version, there’s also the loss of the 2.0-litre’s strut brace and limited-slip diff.
The 2.0-litre Sport also had Bilstein dampers and sports suspension which are obviously missing on this model too.
But even in slow-moving traffic the light clutch action, steady throttle response and the short-throw gears make life easy. Yet once the traffic clears then the sweet engine comes into its own, encouraging full use up to the 7000rpm redline. This is a proper sports car, no question.
There’s limited torque so it does respond best by keeping it in the midrange or upper end of the rev range, but that’s where it’s just huge fun. The handling allows you to enjoy that fun. There’s plenty of grip and tons of feedback from the great steering so when the rear end does start to get wayward it’s totally predictable and easy to deal with.
Ride is pretty good, and refined most of the time although there is a bit of body movement to be aware of. You can heel and toe in this car quite easily although the pedals are slightly offset to the right in a fairly small footwell, so tall drivers might not find it so convenient. Otherwise the interior is enjoyably snug. If you go for the SE-L spec then you also get a really smart 7.0in colour multimedia screen as well.
Granted, this isn’t a track-day car, but it is a car that hits the sweetspot for a lot of everyday driving, ensuring that, while it may not be that fast, it is that fun.
Mazda MX-5 1.5
On sale: Now
Price: £22,445
Engine: 4 cyls in line, 1496cc, petrol
Power: 129bhp at 7000rpm
Torque: 111lb ft at 4800rpm
Gearbox: 6-spd manual
Kerb weight: 1050kg
0-62mph: 8.3sec
Top speed: 127mph
Economy: 47.1mpg (combined)
CO2/tax band: 139g/km, 22%
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