Mazda defends price of MX-5 RF Limited Edition
Limited-run MX-5 RF flagship on sale today from $55,790 drive-awayMazda Australia has today launched its flagship MX-5 RF Limited Edition with national drive-away pricing of $55,790.
The figure makes it the most expensive iteration of the latest ND-series MX-5 yet to go on sale Down Under, where the special-edition hard-top brings extras that include BBS alloy wheels, Bilstein dampers, Brembo brakes and Recaro seats.
At its retail price of $52,210 plus on-road costs, the RF Limited Edition asks an $8320 premium over the six-speed manual MX-5 RF GT on which it is based.
Mazda Australia marketing director, Alastair Doak, says the fitment of the locally-sourced Kuroi aerodynamic styling pack – of which only selected elements appear on the RF Limited Edition – is part of the reason behind the price premium.
“The car doesn’t come from the factory this way,” Doak confirmed. “We have to fit the Kuroi pack locally, and that’s the cost of it.”
Locally, the complete Kuroi pack for the MX-5 RF retails for $2845 (fitted).
The MX-5 RF Limited Edition rivals similar dynamic packages available at Subaru and Toyota. Subaru asks $43,270 (plus ORCs) for its BRZ tS and Toyota $39,440 (plus ORCs) for the 86 GTS Dynamic Pack.
The higher list price is put into further perspective when viewing the RF Limited Edition against Abarth’s more powerful 124 Spider. The MX-5’s turbocharged twin-under-the-skin includes many of the performance upgrades found on the RF Limited Edition for just $41,990 (plus ORCs).
The MX-5 RF Limited Edition is otherwise identical to the (2.0-litre) RF GT on which it is based. Standard features include a combination 4.6-inch colour TFT LCD screen and three-dial instrument panel, single-zone climate-control, Mazda’s iACTIVESENSE electronic safety technologies and heated leather seats.
The RF Limited Edition also includes the GT’s nine-speaker 203-Watt Premium BOSE audio system and Mazda’s MZD Connect infotainment array with ‘floating’ 7.0-inch colour display, sat-nav and Bluetooth connectivity, but does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity, nor adaptive cruise control or autonomous emergency braking.
The 110 MX-5 RF Limited Editions are available in a choice of Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Grey Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Ceramic Metallic or Eternal Blue Mica paint colours.
All come with a signed letter from the MX-5 program manager and a stainless-steel Seiko Mazda sports wrist watch.
“The specification – the watch, etcetera – are unique to Australia, so that comes into the cost,” Doak emphasised. “There are 110 of these [cars] and there won’t be any more.”
Mazda Australia says it’s had 15 firm orders for the MX-5 RF Limited Edition, with the remaining 95 now allocated to dealer stock. Sales commence nationally from today.
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