Mazda has just thrown the keys to a base model pre-production MX-5 to a handful of motoring journos. The MX-5 is never going to win any horsepower wars and the test cars have been powered by a 1.5 litre/130hp normally aspirated engine which eschews the car’s raison d’être.

The MX-5 is about being nimble, basic and a hoot to drive. This fourth-gen iteration is smaller than its three brethren and weighs just 1000kg. So has Mazda put it all together and nailed its brief? Watch the clips below to find out.

[Thanks to Wayne for the tip]