82 GQ.COM.AU FEBRUARY 2017
M
MOTORWORDS: STEPHEN CORBY.THE GQ TEST DRIVE
STYLING
This, the fourth
generation since
launching back in
1989,isacarthat’s
finallyputhairsonthe
tiny Mazda’s previously
androgynous chest.
It’s a sharper, shapelier
and meaner-looking
machine, despite
maintaining its almost
toy-like dimensions.
Withitspropercoupé
stylingwhenthe
hard-topped roof is
up, and an all-new,
targa-style fastback
look when it’s down,
theRFaddsawhole
new level of appeal.ENGINE
If you only care about
howgreatyoulookin
an MX-5, and don’t
live near steep hills,
then you’ll no doubt
choose to save money
by opting for the base
1.5-litre engine, which
makes just 96kW and
150Nm,andwillgetyou
to 100km/h when it’s
good and ready. The RF
will only be offered with
the up-spec 2.0-litre
four-cylinder, which
produces 118kW and
200Nm – something
that will come in handy
formovingtheextra
140kg the new roof
structureaddstothis
featherweight fun
box.Expectthe0to
100km/htimetoclimb
slightly from the soft-
top’s 7.3-secondclaim.DRIVING
Weighing 1009kg
initsmostbasic
form, the MX-5 hurls
through corners and
feelsfastandfrantic,
even with a relatively
modest engine. The
folding roof adds
tothenegativeside
of the power-to-
weight ratio, but the
difference is barely
noticeable. There’s
stillplentyofzip,
seemingly telekinetic
steering and a
chassis and short-
cut wheelbase.PRICE/DELIVERY
Mazda surprised
everyone when it
announced that the
recent rag-top versions
oftheRFwouldstart
at $31,990 (for the
1.5-litreengine)–abig
drop from previous
models.Youcanbetthe
hard top and its folding
bits will add between
$4000 and $5000,
soaRFwilllikelycost
between $40,000 and
$45,000, depending on
your specification level.
Deliveries will start in
February 2017.INTERIOR
There’s precious little
room for two humans
inside this tiny yet
perfectly formed
Mazda; even elbow
room’s at a premium.
Ontheplusside,the
small dimensions
help the MX-5 shrink
around you, and with
theroofupitfeels
likeasleek,chic
coupé–asensation
helped by snazzy red
stitching. It doesn’t
feel overly expensive,
but that’s because
it’s not.WHAT DOES ‘RF’
STAND FOR?
Retractable Fastback.
‘Fastback’ is a very
American term,
signalling the
importance of
that market.BEST FEATURE
The folding roof. Its
most impressive trick
is how good it looks
once the roof has slid
outofsight.Topdown
it shouldn’t look anybetter than its soft
sibling, but it does.BEST PLACE
TO DRIVE IT
Through the streets
of Rome with a police
escort, which is what
we did at the car’s
recent launch party,
held as part of the
Rome Film Fest.
Be sure to download
our enhanced app
to read about the
experience in detail.2017 CAR GUIDE