- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
118kW, 200Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 6.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2017 Mazda MX-5 RF first drive review
Sports car sales can be as predictable as the tide.
All-new models tend to ride waves of hype and publicity, recording strong initial sales to feed initial demand before interest - and sales - recede into the shallows. It happened to the Toyota 86, it will happen to the Ford Mustang and it has happened to the Mazda MX-5 for more than two decades.
But Mazda plans to breathe life into its roadster by introducing a new model that isn't a roadster at all. Meet the new MX-5 RF, a folding hardtop version of the quintessential convertible that should give the model a vital sales boost.
The fourth-generation "ND" MX-5 arrived locally in August 2015, so the timing seems right to introduce a new model. Based on the 2.0-litre MX-5 (as opposed to the less grunty 1.5-litre version), the RF does away with the standard car's manual-folding cloth roof in favour of an powered hardtop alternative made from metal and glass. Unlike previous efforts, this one does not attempt to store the entire roof in the boot - the latest model's compact dimensions pushed engineers to try something new. Instead, it raises and lowers the overhead panel between the windscreen and rear roll structure, making it look and feel more like a "targa top" than a traditional convertible.
Positioned as a more liveable and refined spin on the MX-5 theme, the new model also benefits from additional sound deadening material and revised suspension settings to maximise its appeal.
Priced from $38,550 plus on-road costs, the standard MX-5 RF treatment includes 17-inch wheels, cloth seats, sat nav, cruise control, air conditioning and a touchscreen infotainment system mated to a six-speaker stereo.
Stepping up to the $43,890 RF GT brings leather trim, climate control, a nine-speaker Bose stereo, adaptive headlights, smart keys and more.
A further $1000 from there adds a black-painted roof and auburn-coloured nappa leather that lend further gravitas to the compact machine.
Like the roadster, this new model features blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert systems as standard, but more advanced tech such as autonomous emergency braking is not available. Customers who want a reversing camera will pay $480 to have it fitted at their local dealer, and those who choose an automatic transmission need to set aside an additional $2000.
Those who do will benefit from shift paddles tucked behind a tidy little steering wheel that lacks reach adjustment.
The MX-5's interior is as cozy as ever - arguably more so with a fixed roof in place - retaining the convertible's assets and liabilities. It feels unashamedly purposeful, from the stretched-out position of its pedals to the brevity of its instrumentation and the way its gear selector falls to hand. And once again, there is precious little storage space, the cabin is quite tight for taller drivers, and rear visibility with the roof up is beyond ordinary.
That roof operates at the touch of a button, taking just over 10 seconds to open and shut. You can do so on the move, as long as the car's speed does not exceed 10kmh, which feels like walking pace when behind the wheel.
It's an elegantly choreographed display, one that has been expertly finessed to make sure the roof quietly slips into place rather than determinedly thumping home. There are $200,000 convertibles that don't operate with the same level of grace.
Roof up, the RF is a quieter proposition than the regular model, proving more refined than its basic sibling. But the tables are turned when you put the top down, as the RF's flying buttress bulkheads behind the driver and passenger stir up more wind than the roadster's roll hoops.
It doesn't feel quite like a true convertible, sharing more in common with targa-top machines or cars with massive sunroof openings - there's just too much fixed structure in place.
But it does feel like an MX-5 on the road, sharing the light-footed dexterity and nimble nature of the roadster, retaining its composure on tricky surfaces.
There's a delicacy to the MX-5's controls few models can match, a fingertip precision to every driving element. Whether it's the light and talkative steering, consistent brake and throttle response or the sweetest manual gear shift on sale today, the MX-5 RF offers immense driving appeal.
Few cars can distil driving to its essence the way an MX-5 can, and that certainly remains the case with the roadster. Mazda sought to disguise the car's additional weight with firmer suspension that's more resistant to roll, and by beefing up the car's engine note to give it a throatier voice.
The changes work, helping the RF offer a driving experience not far removed from the original recipe.
Mazda' decision to restrict it to the MX-5's 2.0-litre engine feels like a good call, as the additional 47 kilos of hardtop weight will prove less of an issue for the more powerful motor.
As usual, the engine doesn't dominate the MX-5 experience the way some sports cars are governed entirely by their powerplant.
It's a willing enough unit, using 7L/100km to produce adequate 118kW and 200Nm outputs that provide decent if not thrilling acceleration.
Traditional MX-5 fans may be unlikely to gravitate toward the RF, which doesn't quite match the purity of the the original recipe.
Then again, many customers will be pleased by the amount of sky on show, so much so that Mazda expects the RF to outsell standard MX-5 models in 2017.
In any case, the new RF is a worthy addition that should keep people interested in the MX-5 for a little while to come.
2017 Mazda MX-5 pricing and specifications
Price: From $38,550 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 118kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4600rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic, rear-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 7.0L/100km (manual)