LA MOTOR SHOW: Bigger-bore Mazda MX-5

Mazda has officially revealed a 2.0-litre version of its fourth-generation MX-5, which will go on sale in Australia alongside the new 1.5-litre base model by this time next year.

Mazda Australia is yet to confirm it, but motoring.com.au understands both engines will be available from the new MX-5's local launch in the third quarter of 2015.

Although pricing is yet to be signed off, that means the all-new roadster will be significantly cheaper than the model it replaces (the $47,280 2.0-litre Roadster Coupe), with pricing for the downsized 1.5-litre model expected to open the range at under $40,000.

At the same time, pricing for the redesigned two-seater soft-top will be broader than ever, with the 2.0-litre likely to cost well over $50,000. The latter will come with more standard features too, including larger 17-inch alloys.

The move makes Australia the only market to receive both MX-5 engines, with the smaller 1.5 designed primarily for Japan and Europe and the 2.0 being the only powerplant destined for the US.

Further broadening the local MX-5 model line-up, six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be available for both engines. All four powertrains are expected to be available in the replacement for the sole folding hard-top model still on sale here, sometime in 2016.

There's also the prospect of the first MX-5 MPS, powered by a new 2.5-liter turbo-petrol engine developed for the next-generation CX-9, as well as MPS versions of the Mazda3 and 6.

Apart from telling you how it drives, which won't happen until the global media launch early next year and the local launch later next year, the only thing left for us to do is report the all-important performance figures and Australian specifications.

Alas, Mazda is yet to reveal power or torque outputs of either MX-5 engine, but as we've reported the base 1.5 is expected to rev as high as 7500rpm and deliver up to 96kW, which is nevertheless 22kW or 19 per cent less than the outgoing MX-5's 118kW/188Nm 2.0-litre mill.

However, our sources say the new soft-top's kerb weight will fall to just 1020kg – down about 13 per cent from the outgoing NC-series MX-5 Roadster Coupe manual (1167kg).

The bigger 2.0-litre engine, meantime, is expected to produce at least 120kW, eclipsing the outputs in the non-SKYACTIV model it replaces and the newer direct-injection 2.0-litre engine in the Mazda3 and CX-5 (114kW/200Nm).

Therefore both versions of the new smaller and lighter new MX-5 – in either six-speed manual or automatic form – will be quicker than the outgoing model (0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds).

Measuring just 3915mm long, 1730mm wide and 1235mm high but riding on a 2315mm wheelbase, the latest MX-5 is smaller but has a bigger footprint than before.

And while electric power assisted rack-and-pinion joins double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, it retains its 50/50 weight balance and rear-drive layout, and adds advanced features like head restraint-mounted speakers and Mazda's latest MZD Connect multimedia system.

Mazda's US-spec 2.0-litre MX-5 makes its debut at this week's Los Angeles motor show – almost exactly 25 years since the original was revealed at the 1989 Chicago show.

Since then the MX-5 has become the world's top-selling two-seat sports car, with 937,834 sold globally to September this year, including 16,876 in Australia.

Full coverage of the LA motor show on motoring.com.au