ABDC 2018: Mazda MX-5 RF Limited Edition

10th place

Why is it here?

As the world's best-selling sports car with more one million Mazda MX-5s finding homes thus far – not to mention roughly 30 years of heritage behind it – this Japanese roadster is primed for action.

The Mazda MX-5 RF Limited Edition is the sharpest, more focussed version of the iconic drop-top available from the Hiroshima factory today. It's upgraded with 17-inch lightweight BBS alloy wheels, Bilstein dampers, Brembo brakes, a front strut brace, Recaro seats and a sporty body kit; all of which are designed to do exactly what we're looking for at ABDC – connect car and driver in a grin-inducing fashion.

Based on the Mazda MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) model, the Limited Edition or LE as I'm going to call it, epitomises the ABDC ethos with a lightweight, rear-drive, front-engine configuration. Now, this is not the first time the fourth-generation 'ND' Mazda MX-5 has entered the ABDC ranks, having taken out 11th place in 2016.

The question is, can a retuned chassis and body-hugging seats elevate the MX-5 to a more prominent finish in 2018? Why yes it can! It snuck into the top 10 in 2018 which is a reflection of the sharper drive the extra equipment brings to bear.

What’s under the bonnet?

The 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine concealed under the MX-5's swoopy bonnet is unchanged in this instance which, like the Subaru BRZ tS, is an opportunity gone begging. Peak power of 118kW at 6000rpm and 200Nm at 4600rpm is nothing to write home about, despite the MX-5's low tare weight of 1078kg, the second lightest car here after the Suzuki Swift Turbo.

The 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder engine features direct petrol injection and although the engine's mid-range torque is better than the Subaru BRZ's, it lacks punch and could certainly do with more herbs.

>>Get all the 2018 Australia's Best Driver's Car results here

The six-speed manual gearbox transfers power to the rear axle and the alloy wheels are 17-inch BBS hoops, hiding beefed-up four-piston front Brembo brake calipers. Chomping bigger 381mm ventilated front discs (up from 280mm), the Brembos provide more feel than the regular stoppers with almost fade-free performance, even after a heavy shellacking on tight, twisting mountain descents and the race track. They also shave about 2kg a corner off the car's kerb weight.

The double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension arrays have been augmented with the addition of firmer Bilstein shock absorbers and a front strut cross brace has been added to improve torsional rigidity.

How does it perform?

The Mazda MX-5 LE runs at the bottom end of the scale in a straight line. On the drag-strip the Miata pulled a 7.9sec 0-100km/h and the quarter mile was 15.8sec at 144.9km/h. In isolation it feels spritely enough but when there are 13 other performance cars blasting around, its acceleration fails to excite.

It's not particularly fast around the race track, roughly one second slower than the Subaru BRZ tS, and I reckon I know why. The floppy rear-end. The front-end of the MX-5 LE is great, tipping into corners with alacrity. But the rear-end is like a drunk back-up singer – slurred and sloppy. On the race track it can be a lot of fun because you can wag the tail with effortless ease but on the road the rear end roll steer becomes a curse not a blessing.

Just when you think you're in a groove, carving up corners and feeling connected to the car, the high rear roll centre makes itself felt and the back end does something unpredictable or breaks traction, draining your confidence.

The steering is involving, you sit low in the car and really feel the road and the gearshift feels great, which is handy because you'll be doing a lot of cog-swapping, which provides a satisfying mechanical procedure.

But the rolly rear end is highlighted as soon as you jump in almost any of the other cars on this test and on bumpy roads body flex was evident and a lack of steering reach adjustment was noted by taller drivers.

Is it worth the asking price?

If this car was about $5000 more affordable, it would be worth awesome value. Okay, so it's the only car to deliver the thrill of open-air driving and the three-piece metal folding metal roof is a work of art. But when you've got cars like the Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R that cost less and offer significantly more performance – and in the Type R's case more driver involvement – the value equation starts to fall apart.

It looks like a pint-sized race car with its long bonnet and pushed-back greenhouse and the Recaro seats are a nice touch too. But its positioning is just a bit steep. If Mazda could sort the rear-end and jack in a few more ponies, it would sizzle.

Only 110 of them are coming to Australia – although it remains to be seen if this cars rarity will deliver a provenance-led value boost in 20 years' time. Unless it has to be a rear-drive drop top, I can think of more exciting performance car to sink $55K into.

What do the judges think?

The Mazda MX-5 RF LE generated mixed responses from all judges. Almost all judges said the Japanese roadster was a fun car to drive and I concur. It has a classic sports car layout, direct steering, a great gearbox and is surprisingly engaging on a twisting section of road.

Chris Fincham snagged the perfect drive leg for the Mazda MX-5, near Towanga Gap on a snaking downhill section of road, while Nadine Armstrong said it offers "a great taste of sporting fun without complication."

It scored poorly in the ergonomics and engine categories and although most judges handed the car above average scores for handling, their comments reflected disappointment in the soft rear-end.

It was judged to be everything from "nervy and unsettled," "too soft" and "still too much rear end roll steer". One judge just blurted the phrase: "Bum-waggle handling".

At times the MX-5 would have you grinning broadly and made you feel like a driving God, dialling in more steering, grinding in more throttle when attacking corners. But only on certain roads.

On its own the car can be hugely entertaining but its lack of powertrain performance and woolly rear-end ultimately conspire against it in such exulted company.

Revisit last years action with ABDC 2017

2018 Mazda MX-5 RF Limited Edition pricing and specifications:

Price: $52,210 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 118kW/200Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 162g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2018 Mazda MX-5 RF Limited Edition performance figures (as tested):

0-100km/h: 7.9sec
0-400m: 15.851sec @ 144.926km/h
Lap time: 1:43.938sec