Hardtop Mazda MX-5 RF to cost from £22k
The Mazda MX-5 RF – Retractable Fastback – will go on sale March 2017, complete with novel folding roof
The new semi-convertible hardtop Mazda MX-5 RF will cost between £22,195 and £28,995 when it goes on sale on 4 March 2017.
It features a central roof panel that slides under the rear bodywork at the touch of a button. The previous hardtop MX-5, the MX-5 Roadster Coupe, stored the entire roof in the car’s boot. The RF keeps the rear windscreen up when the roof is down.
It is not yet known if the Fiat 124 Spider - the MX-5's sister car - will gain the new roof arrangement.
Mazda MX-5 RF roof
The new Retractable Fastback is unlike any previous MX-5, as it’s not a full open-top convertible. The concept is similar to that of the Porsche 911 Targa, with the rear windscreen and bodywork lifting up to allow the roof panel to be stored, then lowering into place again.
A button on the dashboard activates the electrically powered transformation, which can be made at speeds up to 6mph and takes 12 seconds to complete. Mazda says the MX-5’s boot capacity hasn’t been reduced in the RF, which is a good job since was only 130 litres in the first place.
The roof and rear wheel housings are fitted with sound insulation material and Mazda claims the interior is “significantly quieter” as a result.
Contrasting colours will be available for the roof panel, but you’ll also be able to have it in the same colour as the rest of the car. There’s no official word yet on how much heavier this version is compared to the regular, soft-top MX-5, but Mazda says the car’s power steering has been modified to take account of the extra weight.
Engines
The Mazda MX-5 RF will feature the same 129bhp 1.5-litre and 159bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines as the soft-top and performance is likely to be close to the standard car, although no weight figures have been revealed. That means the engines are likely to achieve 0-62mph times of around 8.5 seconds and 7.5 seconds respectively.
The car will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but for the first time in this generation of MX-5 an automatic gearbox will also be available, in Sport Nav Auto version.
Equipment specifications
Two trims will be available: SE-L Nav and Sport Nav. SE-L Nav models get LED headlights, climate control, a seven-inch touchscreen and sat-nav as standard. Sport Nav cars also come with heated leather seats, lane-departure warning, parking sensors and a Premium Bose audio system, as well as sportier, Bilstein suspension.
Cars with the 2.0-litre engine have a grip-enhancing limited-slip differential and 17-inch wheels.
Mazda MX-5 Launch Edition
Just 500 Mazda MX-5 RF cars will initially be available, all in Launch Edition trim with the 2.0-litre engine. The limited-edition cars will feature a two-tone roof, BBS wheels, black door mirrors and a rear spoiler, while the interior is trimmed with Alcantara suede fabric and fitted with Recaro seats. Also added is a Safety Pack including a feature that alerts you to traffic about to cross your path as you reverse. Buyers can choose between Soul Red or Machine Grey metallic paint.
Prices and release date
Mazda MX-5 RF models fitted with the 2.0-litre engine will go on sale on 4 March 2017, with 1.5-litre version arriving in May. All are available to pre-order now.
Mazda MX-5 RF 1.5 131ps SE-L Nav | £22,195 |
Mazda MX-5 RF 1.5 131ps Sport Nav | £24,795 |
Mazda MX-5 RF 2.0 160ps SE-L Nav | £23,095 |
Mazda MX-5 RF 2.0 160ps Sport Nav | £25,695 |
Mazda MX-5 RF 2.0 160ps Sport Nav Auto | £27,095 |
Mazda MX-5 RF 2.0 160ps Launch Edition | £28,995 |
Mazda MX-5 RF specification list
SE-L Nav 1.5
LED headlights
16in alloy wheels
Body-colour door mirrors
Black cloth seat trim
Climate control air-conditioning
7in colour touch-screen display
Integrated navigation system
Multimedia Commander
Cruise control
DAB radio
Integrated Bluetooth
Additional on 2.0-litre engine
17in Gunmetal alloy wheels
Piano-black door mirrors
Limited-slip differential
Sport Nav 1.5
(SE-L Nav 1.5, plus)
16in Gunmetal alloy wheels
Piano-black door mirrors
Heated black leather seats
Rain-sensing wipers
Dusk-sensing lights
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Adaptive front lighting system
Lane departure warning system
Rear parking sensors
Keyless entry
Premium Bose sound system
Additional on 2.0-litre engine
17in Bright alloy wheels
Body-colour door mirrors
Bilstein Sport suspension
Strut brace
Additional on Launch Edition
Two-tone roof
BBS wheels
Piano-black door mirrors
Piano-black rear spoiler
Soul Red or Machine Grey metallic paint
Recaro seats
Alcantara Pack
Limited Edition numbering
Safety Pack
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