LA MOTOR SHOW: More power for next MX-5

Mazda MX-5 fans can rest easy. The Japanese car-maker has confirmed a 2.0-litre engine will indeed remain part of the fourth-generation roadster range, which was previously confirmed to open with a downsized 1.5-litre model likely to be priced from under $40,000.

And while the 2.0-litre will be the only engine offered in North America, motoring.com.au sources have confirmed Australians will have access to both engines when the new MX-5 goes on sale here in the second half of next year.

No details of either MX-5 engine have been released, but Mazda should reveal more when the Mk4 Miata makes its US debut at the Los Angeles motor show on November 18, when the all-new CX-3 and facelifted CX-5 and Mazda6 will make their world debuts.

Mazda has, however, announced that "the engine line-up will be tailored to each market, with either a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol engine tuned exclusively for the all-new Mazda MX-5 and mounted longitudinally for its rear-wheel drive configuration."

As we've reported, the 7500rpm redline on the tacho of the vehicle that made its motor show debut in Paris this month indicates the base 1.5-litre MX-5 will be more powerful than both versions of the same engine in the all-new Mazda2 launched this week.

The new 1.5 produces up to 85kW/144Nm in the 14.0:1-compression Japanese-spec Mazda2, but to cope with our 91 RON standard unleaded petrol Australia's Mazda2 will come with 79kW/139Nm (12.0:1) and 81kW/141Nm (14.0:1) engines.

But the downsized MX-5 engine will eclipse all those figures with up to 96W, according to our sources, which is nevertheless a 22kW or 19 per cent reduction on the outgoing MX-5's 118kW/188Nm 2.0-litre engine.

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 MX-5 – in either six-speed manual or automatic form -- will be quicker than the outgoing model (0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds).

Naturally, less weight, a larger footprint, stiffer chassis, new steering and 50/50 weight distribution should also improve handling.

There's also the possibility Mazda will release an MPS version of the MX-5 later in its model cycle, powered by the new turbocharged 2.5-litre SKYACTIV four-cylinder that will power the reborn Mazda3 MPS
and new CX-9.

Once Mazda has renewed its core model line-up by early 2016, it plans to develop a range of "emotional" sports models led by the revival of its MPS performance brand including hot versions of the Mazda2, 3 and 6.

Mazda has produced turbocharged MX-5s before (including Mazda Australia's limited-edition MX-5 SP of 2001 and Japan's Mazdaspeed MX-5 Roadster Turbo of 2004, both based on the second-generation NB series), and the company's new 2.5 turbo four – its most powerful engine once the current CX-9 V6 ceases production next year – is an obvious candidate to power the MX-5 SP.