It is hard to overstate the excitement that surrounded the launch of the original MX-5 back in 1990.
Designed to recreate the simple beauty of the classic compact British roadster, it injected a sense of fun into motoring when it was badly needed.
More than a quarter of a century later, when Britain is once again in desperate need of a bit of light relief, enter the fourth generation of the world's best-selling two-seater sports car, whose primary aim is to put a smile on your face.
And in that it succeeds brilliantly.
The lightest MX-5 since Mazda's pocket-sized original, the aggressively-styled newcomer is shorter, lower and wider than the outgoing car, with the smallest overhangs and lowest centre of gravity yet.
With its long bonnet, rear-set cabin and short tail, its fun-to-drive character continues to focus on pure driver enjoyment, a concept of the driver and car as one, that the Japanese call ‘Jinba Ittai’.
A superior power to weight ratio, rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight distribution and more comfort and technology than ever before, combine to deliver sheer four-wheeled fun.
With a choice of nine models, two engines and five trim levels, the range is priced from about £18,500 to just under £24,000. All models have LED headlights, alloy wheels and a six-speed manual gearbox. 
And though the focus is clearly on entertainment, this little gem is remarkably refined and pretty practical. You are not going to fit a set of golf clubs or your fishing tackle in the 130-litre boot, but it has been designed for improved use.
While the outgoing car could only carry one airline-sized, carry-on suitcase, the new car, with its longer and deeper boot, can slot in two. And, unlike the previous generation, there is also an external boot release button. 
The car's cloth hood is 3kg lighter than on the outgoing car, but even better, it is effortless to fold. You can reach behind while seated and close the roof with one hand. Handy as I discovered when a shower appears out of nowhere.
Mazda says when it was launched in 1990 the 115 horsepower Mk1 MX-5 cost £14,249 (equal to more than £31,000 in today’s money), yet it now comes with vastly more standard equipment.
The top-specification, 160 horsepower 2.0-litre test car came with everything from LED daytime running lights, climate control air-conditioning, DAB radio and cruise control, to a seven-inch colour touchscreen display, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and heated leather seats.
The Sport specification test model was also fitted with a lane departure warning system, with an optional safety pack available that adds high beam control and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert.
Reflecting the move to pack technology into modern cars, the touchscreen display allows Internet-enabled iPhone and Android smartphones to access a variety of free mobile content, via Aha or Stitcher applications. These cloud-based platforms feature thousands of stations, personalised location-based services and both Twitter and Facebook feeds. The system also supports iPod, MP3 and CD playback, and also reads out text and email.
Also standard on the test car was a nine-speaker Bose sound system, with speakers built into each headrest, a woofer in the footwell and a digital amplifier below the soft-top storage.
But put the fancy equipment to one side, for at its heart the MX-5 remains a welcome breath of fresh air.


Auto facts
Model: Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport Nav
Price: £23,690
Insurance group: 29E
Fuel consumption (Combined): 40.9mpg
Top speed: 133mph
Length: 391.5cm/154.1in
Width: 173.5cm/68.3in
Luggage capacity: 4.6 cu ft
Fuel tank capacity: 9.9 gallons/45 litres
CO2 emissions: 161g/km
Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles