Fastfacts

Mazda MX-5 1.5 SE-L Nav £20,195 131ps, 1,496cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox 127mph 8.3 seconds 47.1 26 139g/km 24% 3yrs/60,000 miles

fabric roof. I was lucky to be blessed with the bright yellow disc in the sky during my week with the roadster so I can report the manual operation to take the top off is simplicity itself.

The roof is stored behind the driver and passenger so doesn’t impinge on the admittedly limited boot space that nevertheless manages to just about handle two overnight bags.

Entry and exit from the MX-5 will be no problem for the bright young things destined to buy it, but I must confess that I found myself falling into a low-slung seat, while getting out with a modicum of dignity was only mastered towards the end of my week with the car.

The world’s best-selling two-seat roadster is powered by either 1.5 or 2.0-litre petrol engines linked to a super-slick six-speed manual gearbox and a clutch that’s anything but a chore in traffic.

The 1.5-litre unit under the bonnet of the motor I drove is a rev-loving beast that makes a glorious sound, especially during the 8.3 seconds it takes to get from 0-62mph.

The response is helped by the MX-5’s new slimline image as it is, unusually for a new car, smaller than the one preceding it. Shedding more than 100kg makes it even more potent on the road while also helping it achieve decent fuel economy figures.

It is a dream to drive with a new chassis and supple suspension aided and abetted by point and shoot steering providing thrills while letting you know when spills are imminent.

The well-equipped SE-L Nav is two steps up from the entry-level SE model, with two more lavishly equipped versions completing the model range.