2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Revealed

The wait for the 2016 Mazda Miata is over. The fourth-generation roadster was revealed today at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca,

The 2016 MX-5 ditches the smiley front end of the outgoing generation for a decidedly less friendly-looking Kodofied face. Overall, the car is wider and lower than the model it replaces, with a hood that's "impossibly low," according to Mazda design director Derek Jenkins.

Unlike the current car's relatively flat hood, the 2016 model's bonnet features more curves, which flow into the fenders and across the doors until finally angling up over the rear fenders. The front fenders were pulled back to give the car a more cab-rearward look. The rear end features a dramatic taper, which helps accentuate the wide fenders and redesigned taillights.

The new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata brings the roadster back to its roots, with an even more driver-focused experience. Now paired with a Skyactiv drivetrain, the new Miata offers a balance of performance and efficiency. A new chassis is said to be 14 percent lighter than before, yet stronger and more rigid. In total, the 2016 MX-5 Miata is 220.5 pounds lighter than its predecessor. The added stiffness of the chassis combined with a revised suspension improves handling, though we'll have to wait until we can get behind the wheel of a new Miata to find out how much.