It's summer again, a time of year that simply cannot do without the Mazda MX-5. As was the case last year, this year the Mazda MX-5 in the RF body design got into my editorial test, but this time with a modernized two-liter engine with a power of 135 kW.
Sharper features suit the fourth generation
The tested RF (Retractable Fastback) is therefore an alternative to the classic roadster. RF has a concept that has been proven many times in the past and is very popular. The roof folding system itself had to cost the developer a lot of effort, but the result is clearly worth it. The roof, which can be folded up to a speed of 10 km/h in 13 seconds, brought with it an increase in weight of only about 45 kilograms. All this while maintaining the same appearance and size of the luggage compartment as in the version with a canvas roof.
The fourth generation MX-5 is significantly more robust than its previous generation even with its titer scale. I already wrote about certain "similarities" with the Corvette C3 last year. It's purely my personal opinion, which I still haven't grown out of, but the inflated fenders above the front wheels, or the rear window pushed between the roof pillars, these are the details that remind me of this iconic car.
The external proportions of the fourth generation are therefore clearly successful. Its long hood and cabin pushed in front of the rear axle give the car a very sporty character. The front headlights add ferocity to the car, compared to the massive front part they are very discreet and have a slightly cloudy and serious impression. The rear part is significantly more playful, thanks to the lamps that work with the motif of a classic circle. The pure sportiness of the rear section is underlined by the classic double exhaust tip sticking out from under the bumper, simply a simple and clean solution.
The Mazda MX-5 is a compact sports car. It is therefore a car whose exterior appearance is clearly legible, honest and very handsome.
Behind the wheel, like behind a cannon
The cramped interior of the MX-5 is already quite well known. However, the advantage is that after you get into the car, you immediately look for the start button. Because the Mazda MX-5 is about driving, not about where you put your phone or drink bottle. Yes, I'm simplifying it a bit, but that's just how I do with the Mazda MX-5.
The way the engine "screams" at you after starting, or the way the shift lever "squirms", which is quite strictly driven into the transmission itself, are feelings that will not spoil you much afterwards.
Otherwise, however, the interior of the Mazda is, as expected from cars of this brand, clear, well-crafted and intuitive. The dashboard is quite elegantly enlivened by circular air conditioning vents. In the tested car, its upper part was equipped with an on-board infotainment display, which we know well from other models of the brand. Of course, except for the new "troika", which finally got a new display including new graphics. The on-board infotainment display is controlled by buttons via the HMI interface on the space-saving center panel between the seats.
The instrument panel in front of the driver has a pair of classic analog indicators, the larger one located in the middle is dedicated to the tachometer, the smaller one to the speedometer. The third display is digital and supplies you with data from the on-board computer, or information about the progress of lowering the roof.
I have to praise the steering wheel, it is a classic three-spoke, multifunctional, strictly vertically oriented and with a narrower rim than we are used to with vehicles of this brand.
The position of the engine and gearbox is oriented very much towards the center of the car, this results in a considerable bulge of the floor in the place for the passenger's feet. A positive thing is the close connection between the transmission and the shift lever. It has short shifting paths and quite "racing" decent resistance during the shifting itself.
The trunk of the car has almost the same volume as a classic roadster, so it offers 127 liters of volume.
As a result, the frugal interior of the Mazda MX-5 is ergonomically well managed. It's still a small two-seater sports car, and that's something to keep in mind.
Personally, I didn't have any major problems with the space inside the car, mainly thanks to my shorter stature. For the tested version, I would also like to praise the anatomical Recaro seats, which, according to the manufacturer, are only available from the highest equipment Revolution Top.
Two-liter new with 184 horses
The tested RF is offered from the Attraction trim level, which comes with a basic engine with a volume of 1496 cc with a power of 97 kW and a six-speed manual. The Revolution equipment offers the aforementioned "fifteen-liter" or "two-liter" with a new output of 135 kW. It is then available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The highest equipment Revolution Top is only available with the most powerful two-liter engine and with a six-speed manual.
In the editorial test, I tried the more powerful two-liter drive unit, which cooperated perfectly with the manual six-speed gearbox. The modernized two-liter received higher power, namely from 118 kW to 135 kW. There was also a modest increase in torque, which increased from 200Nm to 205Nm. This new engine currently reaches its maximum torque a little earlier, at 4,000 rpm.
Even the original 118 kW two-liter version was great, with great flexibility and immediate response to the gas. The same applies to the new modernized unit with 135 kW. This is a classic atmosphere that loves to rev. And that's exactly how you need to work with her. For brisk driving, it wants to spin properly, on the other hand, for quiet driving, its two-liter volume and the low weight of the car are sufficient only with low revs. This subsequently has a positive effect on the consumption of the car. I was around 6.5 liters with the MX-5 during the weekly test.
The MX-5 and its rear-axle drive with LSD limited-slip differential (from the Revolution trim) will give you a really great experience. The Mazda MX-5 seems to be from the old school, its driving behavior is honest and quite clearly readable after a few kilometers driven. It's purely just you and the car, without any significant electronic interventions (except for the easily switchable stabilization), or any other modern-day frills in the form of automatic intermediate gases or firing into the exhaust.
Conclusion
The Mazda MX-5 RF is therefore currently offered in four trim levels. These are the Attraction, Revolution, Revolution Top and limited edition 30th Anniversary trims. Looking at the price list, I find that the Attraction equipment starts at 804,900 CZK including VAT, the Revolution equipment at 849,900 CZK including VAT, the Revolution Top at 944,900 CZK including VAT and the limited edition 30th Anniversary starts at 983,900 CZK including VAT.
Also worth mentioning is the version with a canvas roof, the so-called Roadster, which you can buy in the Emotion basic equipment starting from CZK 651,900 including VAT, with a petrol "fifteen-teater" and a six-speed manual. The most expensive is currently the limited edition 30th Anniversary, which you can buy in this body design from 913,900 CZK including VAT.
The Mazda MX-5 is a car whose driving behavior is beautifully simple, clearly legible and certainly addictive. RF or Classic Roadster? I see a longer-term use for the RF version, but I like the classic Roadster more. So it's a tough decision, but whatever you decide, you'll definitely make the right decision. You will acquire an iconic car, the existence of which has been verified for years.
