Mazda has killed off the MX-5’s 181bhp 2.0-litre engine

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the nose of the Mazda MX-5 had already been dropped in Europe – because emissions regs – as far back as 2024. It continued in the UK because of “different derogation timings”. Now, that time is up.

Which means Mazda has to finally drop the four-cylinder from these sceptred isles too. Well, it will from January 2027, when the MX-5 will only be available with that 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G unit that offers about as much horsepower as a well-timed chuckle.

We jest, of course. Neither the MX-5 nor you, the enlightened MX-5 buyer, has ever really needed more than the 1.5’s 134bhp, because it’s in a car that weighs around a tonne. And anyway, that 134bhp available in 2027 marks a whopping 4bhp increase over the old car. Four extra horses! What will you do with all that additional power? Yep, use it on the A/C.

“While it’s a shame that changing legislation means we can no longer sell the 2.0-litre in the UK, the 1.5-litre engine remains at the heart of the MX-5,” said Mazda UK MD Jeremy Thomson. “The current generation MX-5 was originally developed around this engine.” Getting full 'didn't like you anyway' vibes, there.

Speaking of emissions, they now drop to 139g/km, and we managed to get around 44mpg out of the current 1.5, so it’s fairly frugal, albeit a bit… tuneless. For its part, Mazda said it has made improvements to the engine’s noise to “reinforce the MX-5’s driving engagement”.

The new 2027 car rings in more changes than just No More 2.0-Litre: Homura and Homura Plus trim levels will be available, offering cool stuff like 16in RAYS wheels, Brembos, Recaros, Bilsteins, strut braces… that sort of thing. There’s a dandy new metallic green paintjob on offer, more safety alerts, and still the option of a six-speed manual. A manual roadster that weighs around a tonne. In 2027. Who’d have thunk.

Prices? Mazda hasn’t specified, noting only that the current car is “one of only three sub-£30,000 convertibles on sale in the UK”.