The fourth generation Mazda MX-5 (Mazda Roadster in Japan) has been named the 2015-2016 Japanese Car of Year.
The ND MX-5 was given the title, and follows on from last year’s winner, the Mazda 2 (Mazda Demio in Japan). The ND MX-5 is the sixth car from Mazda to win the Japanese COTY award.
All cars released or launched between October 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015 with an expected sales volume of over 500 cars were eligible for this year’s award.
The new Mazda MX-5 is available with a 1.5 or 2-liter direct injection SkyActiv 4-cylinder gas engine depending the market. Weight loss has seen the world’s most popular roadster shed 220lb or 100kg.
To help keep costs down, Mazda will also build the Fiat 124 Spider at its factory in Hiroshima. The Fiat has unique styling and engines.
