Adding a retractable hardtop to a sports car is a difficult proposition at the best of times – so the addition of a power roof on the small Mazda MX-5 was no easy feat. The Mazda MX-5 RF a clever piece of design – adding just 25 kilos to the roadster weight it can be retracted firstly to provide an open Targa top or to a full convertible position – the mechanism is beautifully executed and the silhouette in open or closed form is very pleasing to the eye and suits this small Mazda sportster. Prices start at $38, 500 for the manual entry and run to $45, 890 for the higher spec GT with black or tan leather. The RF model, only available as a 2.0-litre is impressive on road, from my perspective nicest in the automatic variant with the manual paddle shifters. Suspension tune is first class in a body that’s more rigid in hardtop form and the MX5 RF feels polished in all its does. It has one Achilles heel however and that’s interior space – for anyone with other than a small physique it’s tight in the cabin with minimum storage – fortunately the power roof has not compromised roadster’s boot space but there’s only room for two soft overnight bags at best. Unfortunately this limits the comfort of the MX-5 over long distances where its lack of storage space is disappointing. However, as a sportster with real driving flair the new retractable roof variant give it a lot more appeal and use-ability. I’m David Berthon

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