With the MX-5, Mazda is writing an equally successful story as Bram Stoker wrote with his “Dracula”, arguably the most famous vampire in literary history. Over a million of the Japanese roadster have already been sold worldwide. The fourth generation update - the lightest MX-5 since its debut in 1989 - visually stays true to the award-winning design style. With more powerful engines that meet the Euro 6d-Temp emission standard without the use of a particulate filter, it is possible to circle through the curves in an agile and controlled manner. Proof of this was provided by the attractive long-running favorite on a drive along one of the most beautiful roads in the world: the Transfagarasan, which connects Transylvania with Wallachia over 151 kilometers. Autohub was there.
Garlic is known to protect against vampires. But where only with the at least for human noses aromatic fragrant toes. In the Mazda MX-5 RT, which will take us through Count Dracula's home up to the 2014 meter high pass in the Romanian Carpathians, there is no room for such not-so-common accessories. Even the refreshed 4. Generation of the Japanese Roadster continues to offer consciously Spartan storage options for the driver and passenger. Considering that the garlic in a locked glove compartment would miss its effect anyway, Mazda as well as on shelves in the doors still omits this detail. In the two cupholders here and now find not some blood, but the obligatory water bottles to quench your thirst on the road and behind the flap on the center console scream the car key, a lipstick and a smartphone "busy".
More sports cars than ever with up to 184 PS
But who needs garlic, if you can escape a vampire attack in a completely different way. As before, the MX-5 is offered exclusively with two petrol engines, but the Japanese have both of them refreshed the blood with a few horsepower. Under the hood of the two-liter petrol engine now 184 PS and thus 24 PS work more than before, in the small petrol engine it is 132 instead of before 131 PS. Both units create the Euro 6d-temp emission standard even without particulate filters. With the big petrol engine, which clearly clears its throat at the touch of a button, the Roadster completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 6,5 seconds. With so much steam and a top speed of 219 km / h every vampire has the disadvantage.
The pleasantly small sporty steering wheel can now also be adjusted in depth
The elegant roof construction of the tourmaline blue metallic colored Mazda MX-5 RF unfolds via the small toggle switch in the center console. The abbreviation RF stands for Retractable Fastback, which means something like retractable hatchback. Within 13 seconds the coupé mutates into a kind of Targa. In the narrow cockpit, at least people of normal size sit neatly on perfectly fitting and taut sports seats, the driver now has a small steering wheel that can be adjusted not only in incline, but also in depth. In addition, he is supported by new assistants such as a parking aid, a lane change assistant, dynamic cornering lights and a city emergency braking assistant. Smartphones can now be integrated into the car via Apple Car Play or Android Auto.
The suspension irons even deeper potholes without unpleasant shocks away
The 7-inch screen on the center console now shows razor-sharp the course of the 150-meter-long Transfagarasan mountain road, which connects Transylvania with Wallachia. The big gasoline engine willingly grabs the long straights, in a team with the crisp six-speed gearbox and its short distances and sensitive steering, the roadster effortlessly circles the corners. Admittedly, in some damn tight hairpin bends that live up to their name, it throws the stern around. But the ESP speaks reliably and not too soon a power word. The steering wheel and popometer provide feedback on the sometimes strained condition of the road through tunnels, rock breakthroughs, bridges and viaducts, but the chassis smooths even deeper potholes without distributing unpleasant bumps.
The prices have not changed much. From the 14. September is the refreshed Mazda in Germany at the dealers. The basic model with fabric roof, manual transmission and 132 PS is still available from 22 990 Euro. The 184 PS strong hard-top version, for which there are, and only for them, now also a six-speed automatic, costs from 34 490 Euro.
Text and photos: Solveig Grewe