IT’S light, focused, hugely nimble and, a few stowage issues apart, a car pretty much without fault.
And now the world’s best selling sports car, the Mazda MX-5, is offering an extra splash of style in the shape of a new R Sport special edition.
But MX-5 fans will have to move fast because this variant is being limited to just 150 examples, all with a convertible roof.
The R Sport features Polymetal Grey metallic paint matched to piano black wing mirrors, a grey soft-top hood and 16-inch RAYS gunmetal alloy wheels, while the interior features Burgundy Nappa leather seats with silver stitching.
Based on the 1.5-litre 132PS Skyactiv-G Sport trim model, the MX-5 R-Sport is the latest example of the Japanese manufacturer’s tradition of offering personalised limited volume MX-5 sports cars.
It costs £27,700, meaning a £1,500 premium over the standard Sport version with an equipment tally to include sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, heated seats and climate control.
In addition to the R-Sport, the updated MX-5 line-up comprises 10 models – four convertibles and six RF hard top convertibles.
The 132PS 1.5-litre Convertible is offered in SE-L and Sport trim while the 184PS 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine is matched to Sport Tech and the new range-topping GT Sport Tech trim.
As with the Convertible, SE-L and Sport trim, RFs are powered by the 1.5-litre engine, while Sport Tech and GT Sport Tech come with the more powerful 2.0-litre unit.
And in addition, 2.0-litre RFs in both trim levels come with the option to choose an automatic gearbox.