2015 Mazda MX-5 will feature 96kW 1.5-litre direct-injection engine

Derived from the 1.5-litre engine fitted to the Mazda 2, the MX-5's 1.5-litre mill has been not only been turned around for a longitudinal mounting, but has also been specially tuned for the roadster.

In the MX-5, the 1.5-litre direct injection SkyActiv-G engine generates 96kW of power at 7000rpm and 150Nm of torque at 4800rpm.

By way of the comparison, the most powerful version of this engine fitted that's fitted to higher-spec Mazda 2 models tops out at 81kW of power at 6000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

Mazda has set the target weight for 1.5-litre MX-5s fitted with the six-speed manual transmission at 1000kg. A six-speed automatic transmission will also be available.

For those keeping track at home, the current third-generation MX-5 is powered by 2.0-litre engine that pumps out 118kW at 7000rpm and 188Nm at 5000rpm. Some of the benefit of that extra power and torque is frittered away by the higher weight of the outgoing model.

The 25th Anniversary edition, which we recently tested, tips the scales at 1167kg.

In November of last year, Mazda Australia confirmed that fourth-generation MX-5 will be offered in Australia with both the 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre engines. Some markets, such as Europe and the United States, will see an MX-5 range that's restricted to just one of these engines.

Mazda has yet to detail power and torque outputs for the larger 2.0-litre motor. The new MX-5 will be launched in Australia around the middle of the year.