Mazda MX-5 gets more power

Brown is the new black? Well, maybe not, but it's one of the new cloth roof colours added to iconic Mazda MX-5 as part of a mild update unveiled in Japan.

A spicier, faster, more engaging MX-5 is tipped to arrive in Australia from around October 2018, hot on the heels of a mild upgrade to the Mazda MX-5 in March 2018, which saw changes to the rear suspension and standard equipment list, plus slight price rises.

The second update in a year will bring optional tan-coloured leather interior, black wheels, black side mirrors and telescopic steering adjustment (fore-aft) for the first time. The latter has been added after cries of inequity from taller drivers.

But the big news is the Mazda MX-5's reworked 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine, which pumps out 137kW, up from 118kW.

The extra mumbo comes about via lighter internals, with new pistons and con rods reducing the reciprocating mass inside the world's most popular sports car’s four-cylinder engine. This sees torque rise slightly from 200 to 205Nm, while the rev-limit has been extended considerably, from 6800 to 7500rpm.

It remains to be seen how the 2.0-litre Mazda MX-5's power hike affects its current claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.1 seconds.

However, Mazda says fuel economy has improved via the engine mods.

The engineers in Hiroshima have also added a dual-mass flywheel, larger diameter throttle body along with wider diameter exhaust piping and bigger exhaust valves, which add more anger to its four-stroke engine's output while also giving the tiny two-seat roadster more voice.

The exhaust muffler has been modified to deliver a fuller engine note that creates a better sense of "unity" between car and driver, according to the Japanese press release.

Further tweaks to Japanese models include the addition of traffic speed limit sign recognition among other tech updates part of the i-ActiveSense package.

It's expected the extra herbs and added kit will result in another price hike for the Mazda MX-5 in Australia, which an expected arrival here before the end of 2018.

The official line from Mazda Australia is 'wait and see'.

"Regarding the MX-5 updates, we are yet to confirm whether Australia will receive this update," Amy O’Brien, public relations specialist at Mazda Australia said.

"We hope to know more in the coming months," she added.