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A spotlight on the Mazda MX-5 RF

The new hard-top version of the Mazda MX-5 is truly outstanding, with refined driving dynamics and a stylish retractable roof.

The Mazda MX-5 RF

The Mazda MX-5 RF

This March, Mazda will be launching the MX-5 RF, the hard-top version of its successful roadster. Here we take a look at the key features that make it stand out.

Retractable Fastback

RF stands for Retractable Fastback, which means that you can open and close the hard-top roof at the push of a button, whenever that ‘wind-in-the-hair’ feeling comes over you.

The 13-second mechanical movement is quite stunning, as the roof lowers and folds itself into the space behind the rear seats.

  

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With the roof up, there’s much less road noise than you’ll find in the soft-top version, so you can enjoy quieter cruising.

Unique style

In the past, Mazda has kept its soft-top and hard-top MX-5 models pretty similar in terms of styling, but the new RF offers something a little different.

When the roof is retracted, the rear buttresses remain in place, giving you added protection against the wind. (This is, incidentally, the reason why Mazda hasn’t called the roof a targa top.)

Better handling

The roof makes the RF 45kg heavier than its soft-top sibling, but Mazda’s suspension tweaks mean you’d never know.

In fact, both What Car? and Top Gear concluded that the RF is actually a smidge better than the soft-top model in terms of ride and handling.

‘Yes, the car is stiffer, but this manifests itself with a more planted stance rather than a ride that’ll jiggle that expensive new roof to pieces.’ – Ollie Kew, Top Gear

Some of the changes Mazda implemented to make up for the new weight were adding a thicker anti-roll bar, altered front damper settings and different rear spring and damper rates.

The result is a car that’s just as agile, spritely and fun to drive as ever.

Performance

The MX-5 RF has the same two petrol engine options as the soft-top – a 129bhp 1.5-litre engine or a 158bhp 2.0-litre version.

You might expect the extra weight from the roof would make the RF much slower than the soft-top, but it can still reach 0–62mph in 7.4 seconds, which is only a 0.1 second difference.

You can also choose from a six-speed manual transmission or automatic gearbox.

 


About the Author

Sophie McGraw

Staff writer at Arnold Clark

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