Next-gen MX-5 cheaper

When the all-new generation Mazda MX-5 goes on sale in Australia in 2015, it will be lighter, more agile and according to insiders better looking.

It will also be one of the most affordable.

At the unveiling of the brand-new MX-5's chassis at the New York motor show, Martin Benders, Mazda Australia's managing director, told motoring.com.au that the new model would be more affordable than the current $47,280.

"We'll position it a bit better, yes," said Benders when quizzed on price cuts.

"It's certainly something we want to focus on. We have a lot more potential [with the new model]," said Benders.

The Mazda Australia boss hinted that we could see a back-to-basics model pitched at younger buyers at around $40,000.

He also pointed out that Australian sales of MX-5s had to lift, and slashing the price would certainly help achieve this aim.

"If I look at the number of cars they've sold in the UK versus the number we've sold in Australia over the life the MX-5, they've blown us out of the water -- by a factor of 10. There's a lot of opportunity there," he said.

"With MX-5 we're a small player. Of the 900,000 odd cars sold globally, we've done 10,000 or 12,000 whereas in the UK they've sold over 100,000 in that period."

When the current generation Mazda MX-5 (NC) launched here in 2006 there were no $29,990 Toyota 86s, a car which has changed the game. This is something of which Mazda is acutely aware.

"We'll get the value equation right," stated Benders.

"From what we've seen, it's going to be a great little car and we've got to get [pricing] right," he said.

Even Mazda's managing executive officer, Masahiro Moro, said a lower entry-level price was imperative for the company's halo model.

"MX-5 is very popular in Australia, but we could do a better job in terms of price and value," noted Moro-san.

More details on the fourth-generation MX-5 will be revealed in Spring before the lightweight sporty convertible is launched in Australia in 2015.