The new Mazda MX-5 has won this year two major awards: the World Car Design of the Year and the 2016 World Car of the Year.

Back in the year 2006, the third generation MX-5 was one of three finalists for the World Car of the Year award. According to the publication Wheels, this year is the first time in the history of the awards that a single model has taken both the World Car Design of the Year and the 2016 World Car of the Year awards.

On March 24, at the New York International auto show, the MX-5 was announced victorious over other finalists Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi A4 Sedan/Audi A4 Avant.  For World Car Design of the Year, the other finalists were the Mazda CX-3 and Jaguar XE.

An international group of automotive journalists has established the World Car of the Year award in 2004. This year the judging panel consisted of 73 journalists coming from 23 countries.

In Mazda's new-generation lineup of vehicles, the fourth-generation MX-5 is the sixth model. The high-performance sports car is featuring KODO-Soul of Motion design and the full range of Skyactiv Technology. So far, the new MX-5 has won over 30 awards, including the 2016 UK Car of the Year and 2015-2016 Car of the Year Japan.

Mazda MX-5 has been launched globally in 2015. Thanks to its fun-to-drive feel, human-centered design and vastly reduced curb weight, the model has found favor with customers. Mazda MX-5 RF, the retractable hardtop version of the model, made its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show.

According to a Motor Trend review, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club performed very well when tested in the autocross organized by the publication. The course was essentially a figure eight with three chicanes and a slalom mixed in. Despite its large truck providing little leeway between the cones and its tires, the sports car consistently threw down clean lap times in the 41-second range. 

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