2006 Mazda MX-5 Preview

In many respects, the MX-5 is a pillar in Mazda's history. Its significance is so great that the car represents Mazda as a whole, a

The MX-5's significance is so great that the car represents Mazda as a whole, a fun to drive brand that doesn't bend to fads and trends. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

fun to drive brand that doesn't bend to fads and trends. Throughout its past generations, the pint-sized sportster has been a constant, a steadfast beacon, even in times of financial despair. With that said, the new car carries its own unique styling cues which are very different from Mazda's other passenger cars, the 3, 5, and 6, all of which were designed to entrench the Mazda brand name with the mainstream car buyers. The new version, penned by British designer Moray Callum, shows the same classic "Coke bottle" shape transformed into a more muscular and modern design.

It's not hard to see that the MX-5's design was inspired by the Ibuki concept which was first shown at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, having donated many of its eye-catching features, particularly evident in the car's front end. The perfectly rounded nose, with its gaping oval grille, aggressively shaped headlamps and

It's not hard to see that the MX-5's design was inspired by the Ibuki concept which was first shown at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

near flat hood, give the MX-5 the poise and pose it's always deserved, while pumped wheel arches on crease-free fenders add substance to the car's hips.

Twin cannon-style exhaust pipes and new 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/45 sport tires give the impression that the new car is stronger, leaner and faster than ever. Mazda has also revised the soft-top folding roof mechanism to include a glass rear window and a single-clasp latch for one-handed operation. Mind you, these details have all been grafted onto a body which closely follows the original proportions of the MX-5, a two-seat convertible that balances engine, drivetrain and passengers without wasting space.