A select number of journalists just drove the 2016 Mazda Miata. Guess what? It's great. WHODA THUNK IT.
We were not among the outlets invited (odd since if you go to www.miatablowjob.com it redirects to Jalopnik), but the cars were driven very briefly in Barcelona over the last couple of days. And when I say very briefly, I mean that I was told by friends that were there that they got about 90 minutes total in the car.
All of the cars driven are pre-production, right hand drive models with the 1.5 liter SkyActiv inline-four, an engine that we will not be getting in the USA. It makes just 130 horsepower (A rumor that we now have to believe because it was true, sorry Australia!), but then again, the ND Miata weighs just slightly more than the NA Miata, so it's still fun and spritely.
How is it to drive? According to AutoExpress, it's a masterpiece, and they use every cliche in the book to describe it. Guess what? The Miata has gone back to its roots!
They do mention the large screen on the dash as "dominating" the cockpit, which is a tad concerning. I guess we'll find out when we get to drive it, which will be eventually. But read Autoblog later today because they drove it.
So jealous.