Call it Miata or MX-5, roadster rules

Even a Guinness Book world record holder doesn't rest on its laurels.

For 2006, the top-selling roadster in the world - the Mazda MX-5 Miata - is a new, third-generation model with a tad larger interior, a new four-cylinder engine and styling that is less cute and more muscular.

The car also has new features, including an easier-to-use manual roof and an optional key-free system for entry and startup. Also for the first time, the Miata has standard seat-mounted side air bags designed to provide crash protection for both thorax and head.

The starting suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $20,995. This is for a Club Spec model that doesn't have air conditioning and comes with a manually operated, black vinyl top.

Introduced in 1989, the small, two-seat Miata eventually set the record as the best-selling roadster in history. Miata sales have topped 700,000, with nearly half of them - 322,000 - in the United States. The Miata caught the fancy of consumers by combining the fun-loving, agile handling and look of a topless British sports car with the dependability of a modern Japanese-built auto.

Today, American consumers should look closely at the new Miata. They'll find no reference to "Miata" anywhere on the car.

Badging and even floor mats have only "MX-5" on them. This is because the name "Miata" stuck only in North America, while car buyers in the rest of the world know the car as the "MX-5."

No matter. Mazda officials in the United States said marketing materials such as U.S. brochures will continue to say Miata.

There are five trim levels of the car for 2006: Club Spec, MX-5, Touring, Sport and Grand Touring.

All use the same engine - a new, 2-liter, double-overhead-cam four cylinder with variable intake-valve timing.

Horsepower is 170, up from the 142 horses in the 2005 Miata. Similarly, torque in the new car rises to 140 foot-pounds at 5,000 rpm, up from 125 in the 2005 Miata.

During my test drive, though, I didn't fret about the power. Working the six-speed manual transmission in the test car, I got enough zip from the 2-liter for passing maneuvers and for spirited driving.

I did notice, however, that the six-speed is a new Mazda design, and it didn't seem to have quite the same short-throw, satisfyingly precise feel that I enjoyed so much in the previous tranny that came from a Mazda supplier.

This six-speed can be had only on the uplevel Miata Sport and Grand Touring models. A five-speed manual is standard on the three lowest trim levels.

It's well worth trying Mazda's new six-speed automatic, too. It worked well during a test drive to keep the MX-5 peppy, and the shifts were made easier and race car like because of steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Horsepower with the automatic is 166, lower than with the manual gearboxes. A Mazda official said it was because the automaker didn't want to overtax the automatic in handling so much power.

Despite the larger displacement, the new four-cylinder doesn't hurt the fuel economy rating, which ranges from 23 to 25 miles a gallon in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway, depending on which transmission is used.

The best part of the MX-5, however, is the rear-wheel-drive car's sprightly, road-hugging ride. With near-perfect 50-50 weight balance and a weight of less than 3,000 pounds, the low-to-the-ground car feels agile in sudden maneuvers. The car seems glued to the pavement, and there's a satisfying predictability to the zippy behavior that's not often found in today's cars, especially at this price.

This isn't a cushioned ride, as you might guess. Riders feel nearly all road bumps, especially with the optional sport-tuned suspension. The wear and tear on passengers seems a bit alleviated because the new body is more rigid than the predecessor.

Some road noise came from the tires in the Grand Touring test car with uplevel, 17-inch tires, even when the fabric roof was up. Road noise is a bit less in cars with the base 16-inch tires. Obviously, there's wind noise with the top down.

The steering wheel is just the right diameter for this car. Steering response is prompt and accurate but not twitchy or nervous, as it can be in some high-priced exotic sports cars.

The interior is the best looking and most upscale of any Miata to date. I also liked that Mazda changed the soft top so it latches only in one central spot - at the leading edge of the windshield. This replaces the two latches on the previous car. The roof is unlined inside, however.

There still isn't a great deal of room to put things. With someone in the front seat, I had to toss my purse and briefcase into the trunk. There are no map pockets on the doors, but I do appreciate the new cupholders molded into the doors, by the armrests. They're just right for water bottles.

Trunk space is 5.3 cubic feet, up slightly from 5.1 cubic feet in the previous-generation car. Cutlineassociated press/mazda

Mazda's roadster has always been called the MX-5 Miata in this country, but for 2006 it's simply the MX-5. More muscular styling, more safety features and more power are among the attractions.

The Vehicle:

2006 Mazda MX-5, a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-passenger roadster

BASE PRICE: $20,435 for Club Spec model; $21,435 for MX-5 model; $22,435 for Touring model; $22,935 for Sport; $24,435 for Grand Touring

DESTINATION CHARGE: $560

PRICE AS TESTED: $27,095

ENGINE: 2-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder

EPA MILEAGE: 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway

LENGTH: 157.3 inches

WHEELBASE: 91.7 inches

CURB WEIGHT: 2,498 pounds

ASSEMBELED IN: Japan

OPTIONS: Premium package 2

(Xenon high-intensity dis-placement headlights, stability control/traction control, alarm,

Smart Key), $1,600; suspension package, $500