Changing Style, Unchanging Value, New Name

By the end of the third-generation MX-5’s model life, the retractable hard top model accounted for more than half of all MX-5s sold and was popular with those who wanted all-season comfort and utility.

As a member of the MX-5 family, the fourth-generation retractable hardtop model embodies the core value of “Lots of fun,” which the MX-5 has consistently offered over the past 26 years. At the same time it features a new and unique design and lets occupants enjoy a new kind of open-air driving feel. Therefore, our challenge was to create a name that would more accurately define this new, more premium experience we envision will attract a new kind of buyer, yet preserve the unchanging values that MX-5 fans have admired since the inception of the model.

The result was MX-5 RF, a name that denotes the model’s retractable hardtop and fastback styling, and will surely resonate with enthusiasts and drivers around the world.

Same philosophy. New design. MX-5 RF*.

*: RF stands for “Retractable Fastback”.

Key Values

Three key values that make the MX-5 RF unique and fun

Beautiful fastback styling that resonates with any car lover

• Appealing fastback styling with a beautiful smooth line joining the roof to the rear end. This is at the heart of all true sports car design.
• Designers worked hard to give the cabin the perfect teardrop shape.
• It features the same compact packaging as the soft-top model, including overall length, width and wheelbase. (Overall height is increased 5mm.).
• The soft touch of real Nappa leather adds a feeling of even higher quality and contributes to the relaxed, sophisticated ambience of the interior.

A new open-air sensation with a feeling of being ensconced securely in the cabin as well as a pleasing sense of freedom

• The MX-5 RF’s retractable hardtop consists of a front roof, middle roof, rear roof and back window glass.
• Detailed studies led to a roof design that, together with the retractable back window glass, realizes a new open-air experience that combines a feeling of being ensconced securely in the cabin with an invigorating sense of freedom.
• The model’s unique design featuring a back window glass that retracts when the top is down enables the driver to fully enjoy the pleasing exhaust note coming from the rear, helping to deliver the true pleasure of the open-top driving experience.
• A large acrylic aero board wind blocker helps prevent air from the rear blowing back into the cabin.
• Synchronizing and overlapping the various movements of the roof sections enables MX-5 RF to achieve one of the fastest opening/closing times of any retractable hardtop.
• When the roof is open, the front and middle roof sections are stowed together with the back window glass in the space behind the seats.
• A new power top lock makes it possible to open and close the roof with the simple flip of a switch.
• A new control system enables the roof to be opened or closed, even when in motion at speeds of 6 mph (10km/h) or less. This is particularly useful if it suddenly begins to rain.
• At 4.6 cubic feet (130L DIN), trunk capacity is the same as the soft-top model, even when the roof is stowed behind the seats. The trunk can accommodate two carry-on bags measuring 550mm x 400mm x 220mm*¹.

A quiet cabin with the relaxed feeling of quality ride comfort

• The suspension and Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system have been tuned specifically for the MX-5 RF, delivering the lively driving performance one expects of the Mazda MX-5 while also delivering relaxing comfort and refined ride.
• A sound-absorbing headliner used on the inside of the front and middle roof panels combines with sound insulation around the rear wheel housings to result in a significantly quieter ride when the roof is closed. This helps provide a high-quality cabin environment worthy of the MX-5 RF.

 

Other noteworthy product features are as follows.

• The powertrain lineup consists of the 2.0- and 1.5-liter SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines paired with either a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission*².
• A human-centric perspective was adopted in pursuing advanced safety based on the company’s safety philosophy, Mazda Proactive Safety.
• The i-ACTIVSENSE^*2 advanced safety technologies employed by MX-5 RF include Mazda’s Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (ABSM*³) system and High Beam Control System (HBC), which automatically switches between high and low beam.
• MAZDA CONNECT*⁴ makes it less distracting and easier to take advantage of phone and internet connectivity services while enjoying a drive.

 *1 Stated dimensions determined by testing with soft-sided carry-on bags.
*2 Availability depends on the destination market and model configuration.
*3 This feature is named Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) in some markets.
*4 The name Mazda Connect is used in Japan, US, Canada and Mexico.
The system is referred to as MZD Connect in other markets.