Test drive Mazda MX-5 RF: taming the stubborn

Driving the iconic targa hardtop roadster

The Mazda MX-5 currently has a unique position in the market. Simply because his competitors are gone. The only car that is positioned in its price category and has an almost identical philosophy from a technological point of view is ... Fiat 124, which is the technological counterpart of the little Japanese sportsman.

Since then, all other roadsters on the market are either bigger, or more expensive, or heavier, or all three together. Or they are sold as a kit for self-assembly, respectively, fall into the category of "exotic for enthusiasts."

The phenomenon of the modern automotive industry

And the Mazda MX-5 obviously has no intention of abandoning its original philosophy: to be small, light, agile, straightforward and, most importantly, a real car to drive. And if anyone thought that launching a hardtop version instead of an ultralight textile guru would turn this classic Puritan roadster into a spoiled car to show off on the streets, they were deeply mistaken.

In fact, those concerns were allayed with the introduction of a similar model based on the previous generation MX-5, but the RF further reinforces the notion that the hardtop does not interfere with the overall concept of the iconic model.

Now, instead of the traditional electric metal roof, the car has a very interesting design that makes it a target rather than a "regular" roadster. Stylistically especially, it proves to be a real hit in the top XNUMX – both with the roof open and with the roof closed, the car looks very good and stands out with an eccentricity that brings it even closer to the good old British roadsters of recent and past.

The model boasts a posture, especially when viewed from behind, which would be the envy of famous athletes at a price several times more expensive. Another good news is that the trunk volume of 127 liters remains unchanged when the roof is opened, and the best comes from the fact that the weight gain compared to the textile guru is equal to a completely insignificant 40 kilograms.

1100 kg, 160 hp and rear-wheel drive - expectedly a good combination

Even before you start working with this machine, you already know two basic things. Firstly, if you are planning that this will be your main car, the idea is not ingenious - the luggage compartment is modest, the cabin is narrow enough, especially for people of a tall or large build, and there is almost no room for items in it.

Secondly, this is a real sports car that is guaranteed to bring you joy with every kilometer traveled. This is so, because the MX-5 is clear proof that with a sporty layout and fairly fine-tuned chassis and steering, you can get great driving pleasure even with “only” 160 horsepower and 200 Nm supplied by a 2,0-liter naturally aspirated engine.

The straight, but not overly sharp steering wheel literally reads the driver's mind, and the stiff suspension provides extremely dynamic behavior with every change of direction. Even the six-speed transmission fitted to the test model matches the MX-5 RF's original nature extremely well, adding a hefty dose of urban driving comfort without compromising the driving experience.

The fact that the classic methods of the automotive industry are still more effective than the artificially introduced trends generated by political decisions with dubious foresight can be seen from another rather eloquent circumstance - even with a frankly sporty driving style, fuel consumption remains negligible - more than six liters for a hundred kilometers.

And that's without downsizing, without a hybrid system, etc. Sometimes the old recipes are still the best, both in terms of effectiveness and in terms of the pleasure they bring to the person.