IF you want to stoke the fires of a never ending argument among car enthusiasts, ask them to tell you what a sports car is - and what it isn't.

An hour later they'll be so deep in argument you could slip out of the pub and walk home, safe in the knowledge your absence has not been missed. Sure too that they will never agree on what makes a sports car.

Let me have a try; it must be fun to drive and have a roof you can open quickly to enjoy the delights of top down motoring. Make it small, practical and affordable and you're about there.

Note, there is no mention of speed or power or flash looks. And that's crucial.

Have we just defined a car you can actually buy today? You'll have already guessed after looking at the pictures that the new Mazda MX-5 fits the bill.

Actually, it's hard to think of anything else that does, such is the grip the little car from Japan has had on world sports car sales since the first one arrived in 1989 as Mazda's take on what an affordable British sports car (remember them?) could have been.

So that first MX-5 was small, light, simple, open-topped and not very powerful.

It was also the most enormous amount of fun to drive, with snappy response to the throttle, direct and positive steering and just enough power to whisk you along at smile inducing speed on a twisty road.

Succeeding generations grew more powerful, bigger and heavier. They were still good to drive, but not in the stripped back, focused way of that first one.

Mazda must have agreed, for the new one has gone back to basics, but in a very 2015 sort of way.

So it is shorter and lower than the outgoing car (if a bit wider) and has shed some weight too, while piling on connectivity (phones, music, Bluetooth all working effortlessly) while going a bit faster than before on a little less petrol.

There are two engines to choose from, a 1.5 litre with 129bhp and a 158bhp 2.0 litre. Top speeds are 127 and 133mph and the 0-62mph dash takes 8.7 and 7.3 seconds respectively, while the tailpipe CO2 figures of 139 and 161g/km make for reasonably happy reading if you use your new MX-5 as a company car.

There are no fewer than nine versions to choose from, starting at £18,495 for the 1.5 SE and rising to £23,295 for a 2.0 Sport Nav. The base car comes with alloy wheels, LED headlights, air conditioning, electric windows, trip computer and heated and powered electric door mirrors.

Move up to SE-L trim (from £19,245) and you add climate control, DAB radio, colour touch screen, Bluetooth and cruise control. Nice touches include speakers in the headrests and interior door tops in the same colour as the body of the car.

That helps this already handsome car look special from either seat, where you will also enjoy a view ahead dominated by the sensuous curves of the front wings. It all looks very... sporty.

It drives in a properly sporty way too, with enough difference between the two engine sizes and suspension settings to make for genuine choice between the cars, especially since the bigger engine costs only £850 more and looks a bit of a bargain.

However... If you liked the original MX-5 and its focused approach on fun without huge speed you might well love the smaller engined version of the newcomer, which has enough power to be fun and, more importantly, feels light on its feet and rides with just the right mix of firmness and forgiveness that a little sporty roadster demands.

it is also pleasantly snug inside and the roof folds up and down in seconds with a simple push or pull. The boot is a little smaller than before but more regularly shaped and big enough for a long weekend away.

The larger, 2.0 litre car had more power but with the firmer suspension was less accommodating on some apparently smooth Scottish roads. Other people may prefer this one, I would happily, take the slightly less powerful new car and be very happy indeed.