Mazda confirms 115kW MX-5

Mazda has taken the wraps of its MX-5 Accessories Concept at the Chicago motor show, powered by a 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder petrol engine that will develop 115kW and 200Nm.

The engine, adapted for a longitudinal application from the transverse-engined Mazda3 and CX-5, will be paired to a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

It will be offered alongside the downsized 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-G engine already confirmed for the MX-5 in Australia, where both engine variants – and a number of model grades – are likely to be launched simultaneously in the second half of this year.

motoring.com.au sampled the new MX-5 in Barcelona recently and found the lower-capacity engine's 96kW and 150Nm outputs sufficient. The lightweight construction of the latest MX-5 results in a slightly better power-to-weight ratio than in the outgoing model, and this will improve even further with the 2.0-litre variant.

The MX-5 Accessories Concept also debuted a sportier new look for the world's favourite roadster, the black-on-white show car previewing a range of optional accessories likely to be made available on the fourth-generation Japanese soft-top.

On the list are forged satin black 17-inch BBS alloy wheels wrapped in 205/45-series rubber and surrounding red-painted Brembo brake callipers.

A satin black aero kit and roll bars mimic that of Mazda's 2014 SEMA show car, the MX-5 Global Cup racing car, while adding further appeal are a bootlid-mounted satin black luggage rack and high-level brake light.