Saturday 11th March 2017

Mazda MX-5 RF - PH Videoblog

A wintry spin across Dartmoor in the 'Retractable Fastback' MX-5 - is THIS the answer to everything?

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Towards the end of the previous NC MX-5's production life around 80 per cent of those sold were 'Roadster Coupe' versions with the folding hardtop. Not surprising really; it didn't add much weight, the roof up silhouette was near-identical to the soft top and those who worry about fabric roofs from security and refinement points of view had their prayers answered.

For the fourth-generation ND MX-5 Mazda has taken a much bolder direction though, putting clear ground between the existing fabric roof roadster version and this, the RF. We've driven it on the launch already and, perhaps surprisingly, it seemed to raise as many questions as it answered. So to a windswept Dartmoor to find out if the RF stands as something truly different in the MX-5 world, or if it's just an intriguing but ultimately predictable spin on a familiar theme.

Check out the videoblog here!
 

[joshleb]

I'm going to say no.

Convertible looks so much better imo!

[Concerned cat]

It reminds me of a Mini Marcos. So a no from me too.

[RBH58]

I love it. I already have one.

[RBH58]

Concerned cat said:

It reminds me of a Mini Marcos.

Seriously? I'm struggling to see it.

Edited by RBH58 on Thursday 9th March 14:19

[dirtbiker]

It does look good in that gunmetal gray - it's a bit awkward from some angles but I'd bet it's better in the metal.

Definitely on my list should I need to downsize my toy car in the future!

[diluculophile]

Just from the above, never having seen one in the flesh, I think it looks quite different from the rag-top. I quite like it, I think I may even prefer the looks. Would have to have a proper look in person though.

I'm sure the nice gentlemen at BBR could help liberate an extra 40 or so BHP to offset the additional weight...

[JackReacher]

I looked at a RF launch edition in a showroom the other day, that had fantastic recaro seats and alcantara dash. The looks are very subjective, but personally I think it looks a bit odd from some angles. Prefer the look of the roadster. The RF does look a bit like a Smart roadster to me. I do think the interior on this latest Mx5 is a real step up, altough there is very little storage.

I would really like to try a 190bhp BBR version of the roadster, in a car weighing just a ton it should be a lot of fun on good country roads.

[hornetrider]

RBH58 said:

That is the cats potatoes

[TaylotS2K]

Looks even more like a Noddy car in red.

[Lordbenny]

Looks great if you ask me!

[Darryl247W]

They look tall in photos, but I've not seen one in the flesh, or driven an ND of either variety. I've an NC Roadster Coupe as my daily. It's used rain, hail, snow or shine. My love of my NC means I'll happily give the RF the benefit of the doubt.

[RBH58]

Darryl247W said:

They look tall in photos.

They're not any more than 1 cm taller than a roadster.

And, if anything they look smaller than the roadster in the flesh. Every time I look af mine...especially when it's in a carpark parked in a sea of SUVs, I'm staggered by how "toy like" it looks. It really is a small car. It looks dimensionally way smaller than my wife's Abarth 124 even though it's dimensionally indentical except for length.

[Toma500]

Looks more like a mini Nissan 370z to me bit more power or Six cylinder engine and it would be near perfect for me .

[Lordbenny]

Looks great if you ask me!

[Simon Owen]

JackReacher said:

I would really like to try a 190bhp BBR version of the roadster, in a car weighing just a ton it should be a lot of fun on good country roads.

The full fat S200 BBR conversation kicks out 214bhp ish and is a really sweet engine, quick enough to entertain on a UK B road.

Stage 1 & Stage 2 turbo options due soon if forced induction is your bag.

[mybrainhurts]

Question for Matt...

When driving one of these, is it obligatory to have that badger sitting on your shoulders, or were you just showing off?

[Dan Trent]

mybrainhurts said:

Question for Matt...

When driving one of these, is it obligatory to have that badger sitting on your shoulders, or were you just showing off?

Hello! Wasn't Matt, t'was me. And it was ruddy freezing when we shot it so, yes, it was! It was that or a sheep, the Dartmoor ones seemingly fairly determined to transform themselves into jackets at any given opportunity. Wish I'd had that jacket the other week when I was out in the Caterham too. Brrr.

Cheers!

Dan

[TheDrBrian]

Errrrrmmmm. No.

The soft top still looks better and when you take the roof off there's nothing behind you, this looks more like a Targa or T-Top.
I'm keeping the convertable.

[MDMA .]

Looks funny. Like a bad chinese copy of a BRZ.

[mybrainhurts]

Dan Trent said:

mybrainhurts said:

Question for Matt...

When driving one of these, is it obligatory to have that badger sitting on your shoulders, or were you just showing off?

Hello! Wasn't Matt, t'was me. And it was ruddy freezing when we shot it so, yes, it was! It was that or a sheep, the Dartmoor ones seemingly fairly determined to transform themselves into jackets at any given opportunity. Wish I'd had that jacket the other week when I was out in the Caterham too. Brrr.

Cheers!

Dan

Sorry, I get confused. I'm old, you know. Are those ewes, you know...friendly?