2018 Mazda MX-5 vs 2019

What's the difference?

Mazda's MX-5 is like a sports car salmon, swimming against a stream of well credentialed, but more often than not, decidedly un-sporty, me-too cars. A shining beacon of simplicity and lightness in a world seemingly overrun with seven-seat SUVs and dual-cab utes.

But over time Mazda has made some pragmatic concessions to increase the car's appeal. For example, in the last two of four generations, an automated hardtop version.

And this is the MX-5 RF, those extra letters standing for 'Retractable Fastback', and it was launched here this time last year. But the car you're looking at here isn't just any RF.

Spicy special editions have regularly featured in the MX-5's close to 30-year run, and this is the latest. A limited release of 110 examples, boasting a range of performance-focused upgrades.

Buying a car for fun, rather than just transport, is an unimaginable luxury for most of us, because most vehicles that are genuinely joyous - the kind that make you smile like a four-year-old in a bath full of gelato - are almost unobtainably expensive.

And that's what makes Mazda's MX-5, a car quite accurately described by the company's spokes folk as the "icon" of the brand, so special. Because it is hugely fun, and it is far more of a toy than a tool, and yet, with a price starting at just $34,190, it's the kind of dream car that's actually within touching distance of reality.

Mazda has just unveiled yet another facelift for the venerable roadster (and retractable hardtop) as part of its goal of "continually seeking new ways to make it even more thrilling and satisfying to drive".

It has aimed to kick this goal by redesigning the cupholders, giving it black wheels instead of silver ones and, for the first time, offering a steering wheel with telescopic adjustment (people have only been wanting that since its first version, back in 1989). There's also a new reversing camera tucked into its taut behind.

Rather more importantly, the 2.0-litre engine has also been given a proper going over and now creates more power, more torque, and revs higher, for an even better aural experience. Which sounds pretty fabulous. Prices are up $750 across the range to pay for all that, which sounds like a reasonable deal. Let's find out.