Mazda MX-5 2018 RF Limited Edition pricing and spec confirmed

Mazda Australia has launched just 110 examples of its MX-5 RF Limited Edition priced at $55,790 driveaway – some $11,900 above the recommended retail price of the $43,890 folding-hardtop sportscar on which it is based.

Aside from exclusivity though, the MX-5 RF Limited Edition also promises a better driving experience thanks to revised Bilstein dampers, a front strut bar and 17-inch BBS alloy wheels wrapped in 205/45 rubber.

Stopping power is also upgraded with the inclusion of four-pot front Brembo brakes, as well as a new brake disc and low-steel pad design that Mazda says will improve face resistance by up to 25 per cent.

The new brakes also shave two kilograms from the overall weight.

Keen-eyed trainspotters will also be able to tell the Limited Edition apart from the standard MX-5 fare by its 'Kuroi' Sports Pack that adds a subtle bodykit to the front, rear and sides.

The 'Kuroi' Sports Pack adds specific highlights.

The push-button electric folding hardtop roof of the exclusive MX-5 is finished in black, while five exterior colours are available – Mazda’s iconic 'Soul Red Crystal' metallic, 'Machine Grey' metallic, 'Snowflake White' pearl mica, 'Ceramic' metallic and 'Eternal Blue' mica.

The sole difference to the interior of the Limited Edition is the inclusion of Recaro sports seats finished in Alcantara and leather, while buyers also receive a custom-made Seiko-branded stainless steel watch.

Inside includes Recaro sports seats finished in Alcantara and leather.

Based on the MX-5 RF GT, the Limited Edition is powered by an unchanged 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder petrol engine that produces peak power of 118kW at 6000rpm and maximum torque of 200Nm at 4600rpm.

Paired exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drivetrain, the Limited Edition returns a claimed fuel economy figure of 7.0 litres per 100km.

The Limited Edition also benefits from all the standard equipment of the MX-5 RF GT including automatic wipers, Bose premium sound system, satellite navigation, keyless entry, cruise control, 7.0-inch MZD multimedia system, Bluetooth connectivity, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Has Mazda done enough to justify the $55,790 asking price of its MX-5 RF Limited Edition? Tell us what you think in the comments below.