RIP Mazda MX-5 2.0: The best fun engines left under £100k

Sad news this week: the 2.0-litre version of the Mazda MX-5 is dead. It shouldn’t surprise anyone, because it had been cut from price lists on the continent a few years ago. Mazda doesn’t sell very many EVs, so every gramme of CO2 counts and those extra 13g the 2.0-litre put out over the 1.5 were 13g too many. The removal of the 2.0-litre isn’t as disastrous for the MX-5’s credibility as the circumstances that befell the Ford Puma ST a few years ago. The Fiesta ST on stilts had its 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine and manual gearbox replaced with a 1.0-litre automatic, destroying any interest I – and many others, I’m sure– may have had in it. The MX-5 is still brilliant with the smaller engine, because it fundamentally has the same character as the 2.0. It sounds good for a four-cylinder, it’s very responsive and rev-happy and it still comes with probably the best manual gearbox (still) on sale. It’s just not as fast, and it doesn’t have the grunt that allows you to steer it on the throttle in the dry. Mazda’s PR people cleverly trotted out the line that the ND-generation MX-5 was designed around the 1.5-litre engine, but that mostly refers to early versions of the 2.0 being something of an afterthought for the American market and using an engine that didn’t rev as keenly. Later 2.0s were much zingier. Thankfully you will be able to specify the 1.5 with the Recaro seats and other niceties that were previously exclusive to the 2.0-litre. And even if a limited-slip differential isn’t offered from the factory, they cost only about £1000 on the aftermarket. Anyone looking for a new affordable enthusiast’s car would be unlikely to be disappointed. But it’s still sad that yet another fun engine has bitten the dust. It’s one fewer choice, and it got me thinking about what remains. What fun engines can you buy for under £100,000? Truth be told, it’s not looking good… The MX-5’s 1.5 has to be on the list, as does the 1.2-litre three-cylinder in the Suzuki Swift. In an age when lots of EVs have 300bhp-plus, what these small petrol units lack in power, they make up for in enthusiasm. Both have what I think is a really important quality: you can take them to the redline all day long without feeling like you’re being mechanically unsympathetic. Rev is what these engines do. Meanwhile, they do still have some grunt, which can’t be said for the 1.0-litre triple in the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto. The engine is willing enough, but it’s very weedy. The Ford 1.5-litre triple in the Morgan Super 3 isn’t quite as vivacious, but with some snorty pipes in the super-light Mog, it does serve up plenty of entertainment, so I’ll allow it on the list. The Germans still make some cracking straight sixes. BMW’s ‘B58’ and Mercedes’ M256 are both 3.0-litre units with a single twin-scroll turbo. They’re mainly found in big SUVs, often with plug-in assistance, so they tend to be in a subdued state of tune. But in something smaller and more sporting, like a BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG CLE 53, they have that willingness to rev, but with a smooth, cultured straight-six voice. Then there are two rarefied superstars that deserve a nod. Audi’s EA855 five-cylinder has lent rally-car vibes to the RS3 for years and recently done the same for Cupra’s Formentor. There’s really nothing like a five-pot – or a V8. Incredibly, you can still buy a naturally aspirated V8 for under £100,000, in the Ford Mustang. The Coyote is an endlessly surprising engine, because it isn’t the torque dinosaur you expect – it again loves to rev but still sounds like a dirty muscle car at a gentle canter. Anyway, that’s my list of great remaining engines for non-billionaires. The petrol engine is still a long way from being dead, but most of the remaining ones are worthy, torquey, efficient things, and it’s worth celebrating the fun ones. Have I missed any? I hope so.

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RIP Mazda MX-5 2.0: The best fun engines left under £100k

The Mazda MX-5 1.5 is still a brilliant sports car, but what other affordable cars let you experience the joy of ICE?

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RIP Mazda MX-5 2.0: The best fun engines left under £100k

The Mazda MX-5 1.5 is still a brilliant sports car, but what other affordable cars let you experience the joy of ICE?

More from Autocar

Top 10s

Latest car reviews

Top manufacturers

Quick search

We recommend

Legal bits

About Autocar