What is it?
You surely know the drill by now when it comes to limited-edition Mazda MX-5s.
Mazda’s iconic two-seater has received so many over the years that we’ve lost count, but that hasn’t stopped them from finding homes. Only so many of each new edition will be made, after all, and although few arrive with any major mechanical modifications, the bespoke colour combinations usually help them stand out from the series-production models.
That’s not entirely the case for the new R-Sport. Yes, it’s a purely cosmetic special, but the polymetal grey paint and matching fabric roof don’t exactly scream "look at me”. Even the 16in Rays forged alloy wheels are on the subtle side. A burgundy leather interior helps elevate things inside the cabin, but otherwise the kit list is all but identical to the more readily available Sport trim.
Instead, limiting production to just 150 cars seems to be Mazda’s way of reminding customers they can have just as much fun with a modest powerplant, because it’s available exclusively with the entry-level 1.5-litre engine.
The four-cylinder motor sends 130bhp exclusively to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, but in a car that tips the scales at a little over 1100kg, that still translates to a respectable 0-62mph sprint in 8.3sec.
The lighter, rev-happy 1.5-litre has long been our MX-5 engine of choice, even if the car misses out on the limited-slip differential, front strut brace and Bilstein dampers that help give 2.0-litre cars a more focused driving experience.
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The list of niggles omits the
The list of niggles omits the reason I didn't buy one: lack of space. It's not just the boot. The cabin is very cramped, passenger room is hemmed in by that bar at knee level, if you deploy the cup holders your elbow hits them every time you change gear, no door pockets, no glove box, no centre console storage, just a stupid little cavity between the occupants' shoulders. Such a shame because it's otherwise so good.
Colour choice lacking / 1.5 is the true MX5
Totally agree with the above comment about MX-5 lacking colours.
Buying a small, low car in the exact colour of tarmac seems a really bad idea to me.
Why on earth it isn't available in a range of actual colours (ones that aren't white/black/greys) I don't know. Same goes for most cars now though.
Also to reply to a few comments above - lots of roadtests I've read pick the 1.5 over the 2.0, as offering the most pure, and most MX-5 experience. If you want something really fast and hard, you're missing the point of every MX-5 ever (and yes I've owned a few).
I too would prefer the
As for colours, soul red looks amazing.
Complete waste of money
It seems brand favouritism isn't dead in the motoring journalism world.
As others have said above, this 1.5 R Sport is showing on Mazda UK's own configurator with a price of £27,700 which is a bit different from the £18,310 shown at the top of this news item (at the time of me writing this) and still thousands lower than the actual cheapest version of the MX5 at £23,800.
Regarding ridiculous car prices and inflation-busting rises, when the 184PS 2.0 Engine was launched in November 2018, the cheapest 2.0 MX5 was £22,295. Now the cheapest 2.0 MX5 is £28,405!
All of this makes little difference to me as my own experience of Mazda has been terrible, so I'd never buy one of their overpriced, defective cars anyway.