Mazda has announced the pricing and range details of
the updated 2019 MX-5 RF, which goes on sale later this August. Just like its soft-top sibling,
the 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF benefits from a more powerful and efficient 2.0-liter
engine, as well as smaller revisions aiming to make it even better.
The biggest highlight is of course the 2.0-liter
Skyactiv-G engine, which now produces 181 hp at 7,000 rpm (26 hp more than before)
and 204 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Mazda claims that the updated
powerplant now offers a richer torque curve throughout the rev range, with the
redline also raised from the previous 6,800 rpm to 7,500 rpm.
Mazda’s measures for the upgraded engine included
lighter pistons and connecting rods, improving the combustion with reconfigured
intake ports and higher-pressure fuel injectors, as well as reducing exhaust
loss and adding a dual-mass flywheel. There’s also a new final drive ratio,
which has been increased from 3.454 to 3.583 for models fitted with the automatic
transmission.
The range of updates also includes a new
tilt/telescoping steering column, a standard rear-view camera and optional
Traffic Sign Recognition and Smart City Brake Support. The steering column
itself is now made out of aluminum, instead of steel, in order to further save
weight.
The range of the 2019 MX-5 RF is still divided
between the Grand Touring and the more hard-edged Club versions. Grand Touring models come with 17-inch dark
silver wheels; rain-sensing windshield wipers; heated, leather-trimmed seats; a
9-speaker BOSE Premium audio system; a fabric-lined soft top for greater sound
insulation; Sirius XM Satellite radio with a 4-month trial subscription, Mazda
Navigation; Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert; new Traffic Sign
Recognition; Lane-Departure Warning; and Smart City Brake Support, among
others. New to the range is the GT-S package for manual MX-5 RF Grand Touring
models, which adds things like a front shock tower brace, a limited-slip
differential, Bilstein dampers and a hand-painted black roof.
The more hardcore Club models come with Bilstein
dampers, shock tower brace and a limited-slip differential as standard. The
cabin is equipped with heated cloth seats featuring red contrast stitching;
black 17-unch alloy wheels; front air dam and rear lip spoilers; a 9-speaked
BOSE Premium audio system, and more.
Mazda will offer to MX-5 RF Club models the option
of a Brembo/BBS package and the option of a Brembo/BBS/Recaro package. The
first one adds front Brembo rotors and calipers; 17-inch dark gunmetal BBS
forged alloy wheels; side sill extensions; a rear bumper skirt; and heated
leather seats. The second pack replaces the leather seats with heated Recaro
buckets.