All-new 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF arrives in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Mazda Malaysia has updated its lightweight sports car, the MX-5 RF for the year 2019, and guess what? We have it here in Malaysia! The car is only offered in RF folding top form, and it gets a few updates.

The Mazda roadster is powered by a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated SkyActiv-G, 4-cylinder petrol engine that churns out 184 PS at 7,000 rpm along with a peak torque of 205 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The mill is equipped with connecting rods, throttle body, redesigned piston, crankshaft, and intake valves, and it now revs at 7,500 rpm, i.e., 700 rpm more.

Well, that’s not all happening under the hood, as Mazda claims that the torque has been hiked across the entire rev range. Speaking of which the top-end torque has been increased by up to 15 percent. The engine sound is also an area the company has worked upon, it is now better as a lot of material has been removed from the muffler’s internals and its high-frequency noise is also tweaked. On the transmission front, the car like offered in both 6-speed automatic and manual options.

Other tweaks included in the 2019 MX-5 RF are the addition of cruise control, telescopic steering adjustment, and a 4.6-inch color TFT LCD multi-info display. The Mazda Connect infotainment system now comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and it gets a 7-inch touchscreen.

Standard equipment on new MX-5 RF -

• LED headlights with a matrix high beam
• LED daytime running lights
• 17-inch alloy wheels in black finish (no more gunmetal grey tone)
• Reverse sensors
• Keyless entry with walk-away lock
• Push-button start
• Auto lights and wipers,
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Auto air-conditioning
• Leather upholstery
• Nine-speaker Bose sound system
• Four airbags
• ABS with EBD and brake assist
• Stability control
• Hill-start assist
• Lane departure warning

As for the price point, the new MX-5 RF model costs a good RM 37,000 more than the previous model. While the automatic version retails for RM 260,354, the manual option will set you back by RM 259,154 (on-the-road without insurance). Included in the price are a five-year/100,000 km free service package and a five-year/100,000 km warranty.