Enthusiasts, look away now! 2022 Mazda MX-5 loses iconic 1.5-litre engine as part of update that adds suspension tweaks and increases price and features

The updated Mazda MX-5 line-up will hit Australia in the New Year, but it will be without the variant that is a favourite of driving enthusiasts.

Mazda has decided to drop the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine from the range, which has only been available in the entry-level grade since the higher-grade 1.5 GT was discontinued in 2018.

The 1.5 has only ever been available in drop-top Roadster guise, not the RF (Retractable Fastback) body-style.

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The 97kW/152Nm 1.5-litre unit is a tweaked version of the engine that’s also found under the bonnet of the Mazda2, but in the MX-5 it produces 15kW/8Nm more than in the light hatch and sedan range.

The Japanese carmaker’s local arm says it dropped the 1.5 because there was more customer demand for the 135kW/205Nm 2.0-litre powertrain which is offered in Roadster and RF guise. In fact, the 1.5 only generated less than nine per cent of all MX-5 sales in 2021.

Mazda has replaced the 1.5-litre Roadster entry grade with a base 2.0-litre Roadster that was previously not available.

The manual version kicks off MX-5 pricing at $37,790 before on-road costs, which is $1700 more than the outgoing 1.5 Roadster, but also a significant $6630 less than the next grade up, the 2.0 Roadster GT.

Pricing for the rest of the range has crept up by between $400 to $700, depending on the grade.

A new Terracotta Nappa leather option is available as part of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 line-up.

The updated MX-5 gains tweaks to its rear suspension setup that Mazda says improves handling characteristics, without adding any weight to the vehicle.

Dubbed Kinematic Posture Control, it works by applying light braking to the inner rear wheel when cornering, which holds the MX-5 down to avoid roll and maintain composure.

The change in line-up to a 2.0-litre range opener means the entry-level MX-5 now features driver aids like a lane departure warning, driver attention alert, rear parking sensors, rear autonomous emergency braking and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Among the seven colour options, one of Mazda’s signature colours, Platinum Quartz metallic is new to the palette. Three of them – Polymetal Grey, Machine Grey and Soul Red Crystal metallic – are premium options costing $495.

There’s also a new Terracotta Nappa leather interior option available.

Mazda added a more performance-honed GT RS in Roadster and RF guise at the start of 2021, which continues for the model year 2022 update.

2022 Mazda MX-5 pricing before on-road costs