Mazda MX-5 RF: Sacred Fun
MAZDA MX-5 RF
SACRED FUN
Words: Christian Parodi
Photography: Richard Montagner
Take any automotive-focused discussion, serious or not, and in the end it will always be the winner: the MX-5, the Mazda that sold more than 950,000 units and motorized generations of enthusiasts has been able to upgrade itself without losing the secret of its own success, made of lightness and fun – so much fun. We find it at the top of every meeting between friends and never missing the point, because with that cheerful and happy look it can still turn upside down the grumpiest Monday morning. In short, you can’t call yourself a real car maniac unless you’ve driven one, and if you did, you’ve probably fallen in love with it. The MX-5 I have here is not a standard MX-5, but the new retractable fastback (RF), which explains itself as being a coupe with a rigid roof foldable as a targa (yes, just like the 911) and therefore keeping the rear pillars and the back rear window where you would expect them to be. It is a pretty nice thing that is especially useful for those who want to use the super Mazda as a daily, by taking advantage of a greater use and a decreasing risk of damage and scrape to the canvas roof as well as possible air and rain infiltrations during the cold seasons.
A MX-5 must, however, be able to entertain and 45kg of structural fatigue could seriously jeopardize the great quality of the small Japanese star. So I took it away from the city, where the roads are wide enough to properly push the 4 cylinder 2-liter that features the RF in its Sport version. I like everything for the moment, especially the three quarter back that gains more elegance, not to mention the amaranth leather interior, the 6-speed manual gearbox, always very close to the driver and the excellent soundproofing with the roof closed – driving en plein air gives some rustle, some turbulence, but nothing too invasive that can go to notch the constant smile on your face. There is also a limited-slip diff that is here to dispense the right traction on the rear axle, but above all a weight that despite the rigid roof and the automatic drive mechanism, does not exceed 1.150kg. It takes a dozen seconds to pass from coupe to targa, but it is a process that needs to be done stationary (or at a maximum of 10 kph). At that point, the sense of habitability logically increases and finding the ideal driving position becomes way easier than when the little Mazda had the roof closed over my head. The steering wheel is precise, the soft clutch and the gearbox has its usual short movements, a real treat on this type of road. I turn off traction control, the only barrier between me and the true nature of the MX-5, which once again doesn’t care about Sport buttons or the most picturesque ways of calling a driving mode that turns from black to white – in this case it is “Open vein” or “Closed vein”. I let you imagine my face when entering a hairpin I start taking measures with the magic world of the Miata, throwing the throttle to the floor and widening the back with ease and an inner peace that usually do not belong to me at all.
The MX-5 will cost you more in tires than petrol, it’s good to keep it in mind – two fingers are enough to handle the steering wheel, right toe to push the brake and the heel of the same foot to keep the engine revving, taking advantage of its 160hp, which on such a weight, are the ideal figure. The trim is not rigid, though Bilstein sports suspensions are fitted, but through corners you will be able to decide when and where to break the perfect balance of the weights – all you have to do is finding the right place to do that. Time to play with the tail, with the “power” and occasionally slamming myself in the fastest curves holding down the gas and expecting me to be betrayed from one moment to another, but it does not happen, the MX-5 is sincere and every time it looks at me with its happy eyes, making me remember that driving for the pure pleasure of doing it is something wonderful. That’s why you definitely have to jump on an MX-5 – no matter what the generation or the type of engine – it’s a great car that offers tons of fun at a reasonable price and with maintenance costs lower than any other car you can think of up to the task. Of course, the RF is more sophisticated, modern, it has a 7-inch display at the center of the dashboard and keeps lacking storage compartments – except the pit between the two seats – the trunk has no flat bottom and will hardly fit the luggage for a weekend away, but after all what we really care about is still here.
Thanks to an elastic gearbox and a featherweight, fuel consumption is your friend too, with a combined cycle of about 15.2 km/l. It is difficult to find an aspect that rises above the other in this car and perhaps it is the fact that it is able to satisfy in any situation and to please those customers who cannot give up at some ordinary madness on wheels to make the cabrio/coupe MX-5 another success in the making. Unfortunately, although it offers great spec as standard, it is necessary to pay at least € 31,150 to bring a new one home, but I’m sure that given the premises and the confirmations it has shown in person, it will be a purchase that will take residence in your garage for a long, long time. The MX-5 RF tastes a bit as a grand tourer, it wants to be an adult and mature car and it manages doing that – just a click and it’s a bit like choosing the program on your TV: a sports channel or a movie in relax ?
MAZDA MX-5 RF (2017-)
Layout – front-engined, rear wheel drive
Engine – 4 cylinder 1.998cc
Transmission – 6-speed manual gearbox
Power – 160 hp @ 6.000 rpm
200 Nm @ 4.600 rpm
Weight – 1.130 kg ca.
Acceleration – 7,3 sec.
Top Speed – 214 kph
Price – from € 31.150