2021 Mazda MX-5 pricing and specs detailed: New enthusiast-focused flagship for Abarth 124 Spider twin and Mini Convertible rival

Mazda Australia has released pricing and specification details for the MY21 MX-5 ahead of the updated sport car’s release in January next year, with its new enthusiast-focused GT RS flagship grade the headline act.

Exclusive to Australia, the GT RS commands a $3000 premium over the GT grade it’s based upon, but buyers are compensated for the extra spend with several performance-orientated upgrades.

These include the Brembo front brake package (280mm ventilated discs with four-piston aluminium callipers), which not only reduces unsprung mass by 2kg, but also includes high-performance pads that Mazda claims provide stronger pedal feedback while improving fade resistance by 26 per cent.

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New Mazda MX-5 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Popular sports car is now dearer

The GT RS also gets 17-inch BBS forged alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres (205/45) as well as Bilstein gas-pressurised dampers and a solid alloy strut tower brace, both of which the brand says improve the MX-5’s responses.

Notably, the GT RS is exclusively powered by the MX-5’s 135kW/205Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine and mated to its six-speed manual transmission.

It’s available as a soft-top Roadster and a hardtop RF, which are priced from $47,020 and $51,100 plus on-road costs respectively.

Also applying to the GT RS are updates the rest of the MX-5 range get, including standard wireless Apple CarPlay (to go along with carryover wired Android Auto) and a new paintwork option: Deep Crystal Blue.

Furthermore, Pure White Nappa leather upholstery is now a choice for RF GT variants fitted with the $1020 Black Roof package.

These upgrades have added $200 to the price of the Abarth 124 Spider twin and Mini Convertible rival’s carryover variants, which now stretch from $36,090 to $50,100 (see full pricing table below).

For reference, the MX-5’s second engine option is still a 97kW/152Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol. Like the aforementioned 2.0-litre unit, it can be fitted with a six-speed manual or a six-speed torque-converter automatic for carryover variants.

2021 Mazda MX-5 pricing before on-road costs