Japanese-Spec 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Driven on Ignition

Mazda has sold nearly one million MX-5 Miata roadsters since the original car arrived in 1989, a figure that shows that the all-new fourth-generation two-door convertible has some big shoes to fill. Is the latest iteration of the Miata as good as the first three generations? To find out, Jonny Lieberman drives a Japanese-spec 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata through Scotland on this episode ofIgnition.

The original Miata was designed to be a modern small two-seat British roadster without all the headaches associated with that genre of car; namely better reliability and no oil leaks. While Mazda was successful with the original and its two follow-up versions, the automaker wants to broaden the appeal of the new car to a wider audience with more aggressive styling.

After examining the new car's styling, Jonny directs his attention to the powertrain. While the U.S.-spec Miata will come exclusively with a 155-hp 2.0-liter Skyactiv I-4, other markets will get a 130-hp 1.5-liter Skyactiv I-4 as the base engine. That's the version Lieberman drives through Scotland. After driving on a rain-slicked, narrow two-lane road filled with big trucks, Lieberman takes the compact roadster to an abandoned road through the countryside.

Find out what Lieberman thinks about the all-new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata in the episode below.