MX-5 celebrates 25th anniversary

Mazda's fourth generation MX5 was unveiled at events held simultaneously in Japan, USA and Spain.

Mazda Motor has unveiled the fourth generation Mazda MX-5 at four events held simultaneously in Japan, USA and Spain.

Image 1 of 14: Duran Duran played at the unveiling of the new Mazda MX5. Photo / Matt Greenop

The all-new MX-5, which adopts both Skyactiv Technology and Mazda's "Kodo - Soul of Motion" design language, will be rolled out to global markets from 2015.

Environmental and safety demands are much more stringent than they were when the first-generation MX-5 was introduced 25 years ago, but the fourth generation stays true to the model's original aim of offering the pure driving fun that only a lightweight sports car can.

• Read more Mazda unveils fourth generation MX5

It achieves this through the adoption of Skyactiv Technology and refinement of its appeal to the senses and sensations through which people enjoy cars.

It is the most compact of any generation MX-5 so far and is more than 100kg lighter than the model it replaces, promising a dramatic leap in Jinba-ittai driving fun.

As of July 2014, total production volume of the Mazda MX-5 exceeded 940,000 units and it continues to hold the Guinness World Record for the best-selling two-seater sports car.

This highly celebrated model has received more than 200 awards from around the globe including Japan Car of the Year 2005-2006.

Moving forward, Mazda will continue to develop products which offer top environmental and safety performance.

• Driven's Matt Greenop is at the international launch of the MX-5 and will be reporting on the two-seater next week.

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