The Mazda Miata has long been revered by car enthusiasts as the quintissential roadster. So when a new one comes along, it’s time to save a parking spot. The design team for the fourth generation convertible had the mission of upholding a classic in its move to the future by following a principle of “Innovate in order to preserve.”  Thus Mazda’s Kodo design language is balanced, creating a progressive and modern classic roadster. To uphold the quintessential roadster vibe the hood is kept low, but modern design touches are added like a dramatic taper around the back and a wide rear fender. The fourth gen MX-5 is also more compact and lightweight (about 220lbs, which reads more speed) than any of its predecessors and is powered by either a 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter engine connected to the fuel-saving SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission. More technical details to come in the upcoming months, but it’s rumored to have either a 150-hp or 200-hp powertrain. Watch the Mazda Miata MX-5’s dramatic introduction in the video below — complete with a mildly painful live Duran Duran performance.

Climb inside the Mazda Miata M-15 after the Jump…