Unveiling the All-New Mazda MX-5 RF A Technological Marvel

The Mazda MX-5 RF remains the same as we have already met on certain occasions, however, with the arrival of the 2023 model year, some specific elements have been added that make its dynamics even more excellent. This is the classic Miata in its most 'updated' variant.

Is anyone capable of hating or disliking the Mazda MX-5? We may never be able to hear someone answering this question in the affirmative. Rejecting this car is a completely impossible task. Its aesthetics and, above all, its dynamics have made it the best-selling sports car in history with more than 1.1 million units spread over its more than 30-year history.

Over the years, the popularly known as "Miata" has known how to evolve just enough to update itself while playing. Contrary to other sports cars, the MX-5 has managed to keep its dimensions reduced to a minimum, as well as its dynamics, command, and technology. In short, it is still the same toy that was dreamed of three decades ago, but newer. The end. And thanks to that, it remains unmistakably the best.

Now it has been slightly updated to introduce some concrete decorative or dynamic elements. This is something that Mazda has already done on multiple occasions with its range models: keep them up-to-date in all its sections, although without going into the 'hassles' that restyling their cars can entail. It improves what is just and necessary to continue. This philosophy has made the MX-5 feel as alive as the first day, despite having been on the market for almost 7 years.

The "model year 2023" incorporates minimal elements. Specifically, the MX-5 launches new colors for the bodywork, a new canvas roof (for this specific variant), improvements in the interior finishes, as well as a new dynamic control system called KPC, which we will talk about later and which provides the added strength to this update of the small Japanese sports car.

In addition to the aforementioned annual updates or revisions, Mazda also tends to release limited editions of its model, which incorporate much more exclusive colors or combinations, as well as fully equipped equipment. On this occasion, the so-called Kazari and Kizuna have been introduced, which can be easily identified by their color combination of black, brown, and white leather upholstery.

Returning to what happens to us, in MY2023 the "Polymetal Grey" color has been eliminated in favor of "Zircon Sand"; On the other hand, the brown canvas top is eliminated and an option in red is now included. Nothing specific has been modified in the RF bodywork, beyond the application of the aforementioned color for the bodywork, but rather the roof opening and closing mechanism has been revised, which is capable of executing the maneuver in 13 seconds while driving up to 10 kilometers per hour.

In the passenger compartment, the height of its seats has been slightly lowered, now the driving position is lower than in all previous generations. To this is added that the visibility to the outside continues to be excellent and the adjustments of their seats are comfortable and intuitive to drive, although somewhat scarce. The steering wheel also has height and depth adjustments. In this way, practically all physiognomies can be adapted to the Miata; as long as you don't measure more than 1.80 meters approximately, in which case, the car will be small for you. I, personally, am far from that stature, which is why I feel 'like a glove'.

Another of the differentiating elements of the Mazda MX-5 in its MY2023 version is its categories or finishes. Initially, and as access, there is the "Prime-Line" series, one step above this is the so-called "Exclusive-Line", while at the top of the range is the "Homura" finish. The two highest ones are the only ones that can include, in particular, all the elements referring to the range of technologies for driver assistance.

All finishes can incorporate both engines that currently dominate the range of the MX-5: the 1.5-liter with 132 CV and the 2.0-liter with 184 CV. In the case of the last performance, as differentiating equipment, it incorporates RAYS alloy wheels, while the most powerful is equipped with Brembo brakes, Bilstein shock absorbers, suspension bar, and BBS alloy wheels. Finally, and as a novelty, the 2.0-liter can be equipped with an automatic transmission.

Specifically, with these new finishes, the Mazda MX-5 with a canvas roof has a starting price of 30,364 euros, while the RF does the same from 32,864 euros. For the Homura, the top of the range, its initial bill is 35,374 euros for the canvas roof and 37,874 euros for the retractable hardtop.

But what about that dynamic novelty? The Model Year 2023, as we previously advanced, debuts the so-called KPC, an acronym for Kinematic Posture Control. This system is dedicated to preventing the multi-link rear suspension from lifting up during braking. That is to say, the car does not tend to lift 'the ass' and keep it glued to the ground.

This is accomplished by the KPC applying light braking force to the inside rear wheel to amplify this “anti-lift” effect, thereby suppressing the tendency to lift off the ground and giving the MX-5 additional stabilization and improved handling. poise and good grip on the road.

Driving test

But what does this system translate into in real life? Noticeable? Well, to tell the truth, you have to go very fast and want to get all the 'chicha' out of the Miata in each curve to be able to know with certainty that the KPC is coming into operation. Rather, the ideal would be to do a road trip with a model that equips it and another that does not, so these results could be more noticeable. Generally speaking, the MX-5 is still a work of art for twisty-road fun, with or without KPC.

It is true that any security system that is included is always welcome and even more so in terms of avoiding a possible rollover or lack of control of the rear in the car. However, in my opinion, the Mazda MX-5 is a clear "pure" sports car that does not require much more help than it already has in itself.

It is true that the driving position I miss could be adjusted in some additional section, such as height, for example. The new generation of the MX-5 brought lower seats than in the rest of its history, but the very conception of the car makes you feel taller than you would like, even more so for a server that is barely over 1.70 meters tall.

But everything goes to a second level when you step on the clutch and start your four-cylinder. In our case, the unit that we were able to test mounted the 184 hp 2.0-liter engine. A true marvel. Even more so considering that being atmospheric, the block itself asks you to squeeze each line of the tachometer in order to get the most out of it.

The sound is one of the most sincere I can remember in the entire current market. It sounds like an engine; Little exhaust treatment has gotten into here. And this is something that is commendable. The feeling is that you are driving a car older than it really is since it has that aura of modernized classicism. In general terms, we can say that its dynamics are simply perfect.

But the culmination of the Mazda MX-5 is that infatuated gearbox that just by putting first gear before advancing you already know that love exists for a mechanical element. Its route is short, direct, and with a hard touch for which you will be looking forward to having to change the gear in which you are going at all times. In fact, by stretching out the revs, the gearbox becomes even harder and is reminiscent of the feeling of the mythical sports cars of the 90s.

To all this, the MY2023 adds to its technological catalog the city braking assistance system (SCBS), through which it is capable of detecting vehicles and pedestrians in front of the car, activating braking if necessary. In addition, it also has another variant of this for reverse gear (SCBS R). It also now incorporates other more common ones such as Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), the Driver Fatigue Detector (DAA), or the rearview camera as standard. All these elements work very well, but, as I have said before, they do not cloud its excellent dynamics as can happen in other vehicles of competent brands.

Of course, all this is seasoned with a consumption more typical of a small utility than a sports car itself. The MX-5 is capable of driving around the city with an average consumption of around 7 liters, while on the highway and open road this figure will easily drop to 6.2 liters with hardly any work. In case of unleashing our Sunday happiness on a winding road, its numbers will hardly go above 7 liters.

Conclusion

Is the Mazda MX-5 the perfect sports car? Well, it is true that of course, you can get hits. However, these 'buts' would be more focused on comfort on board; never about its dynamics or driving which, as I said before, is perfect. Is it worth getting a Mazda MX-5? There is no better toy in which to invest your money.