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Mazda MX-5 RHT

If you're after a roadster that's refined but still sporty, plus you're very rich, this is the car for you

The Mazda MX-5 roadster is probably the most popular sports car in the world. To date more than 800,000 units have been produced.

The third-generation MX-5 was introduced in Thailand last year, and for 2007 Mazda is offering an additional version which comes with a powered roof system.

The MX-5 RHT (retractable hard top) costs Bt2.5 million, up from Bt2.39 million for the standard version. Blame the fact that the car isn't assembled locally, or the high import duty, but Bt2.5 million for the tiny roadster, no matter how well it drives, seems like a hefty price to pay. It really leaves the super-rich as the MX-5's only potential customers.

The main reasons that the MX-5 is so popular around the world are its fun-to-drive character and the fact that anywhere else it is good value for money. It is a car that delivers the true essence of sportiness at a price that most can afford. In Japan it costs no more than three million yen (Bt881,000), or US$27,000 (Bt936,000) in the US.

I did not get to drive the MX-5 RHT as much as I would have liked in order to gain a worthwhile driving impression. In fact just two and a half laps of the Bira Circuit should never be considered as a driving test for anything.

What about ride comfort, fuel economy, overtaking performance, cabin noise and all the rest?

The press event was mixed up with a customer event at Bira, where the track was divided into four stations at which you had to bring the car to a complete stop. This meant that you were unlikely to be able to wind the car up to any serious speed for testing. In fact, cornering speed was nowhere near the limits of this wonderful roadster. Throughout the whole day I didn't hear a single tyre screech, despite the nasty corners at the Pattaya racing circuit. Quite depressing for an event with one of the best sports cars ever built!

The highlight of the day seemed to be the powered roof, which opens or closes in a world-record 12 seconds, according to Mazda officials.

Power comes from the same 2-litre MZR engine as the standard version, with 160 horsepower and 188Nm. The six-speed automatic transmission (Mazda calls it "Activematic") features a manual shift mode via the shift lever or paddles behind the steering wheel. With the shift lever, you push it forward for downshifting and backwards for upshifting, which is the right direction, when you think of body movement when braking or accelerating.

There are no problems with shifting up, but like many other cars with automatic gearboxes, it doesn't like shifting down too early. You really need to get the car down to the right speed first and then stroke the shifter. I'll go for the six-speed manual in any circumstance.

The engine is rev-happy, with most of the torque available at the top end (5,000rpm). There's also a rev-limiter that jumps in if you exceed 7,000rpm and don't upshift.

Compared to the normal version, the RHT also comes with a dynamic stability-control and traction-control system - a pretty boring addition to the MX-5. Even with the system disengaged, the MX-5 RHT still holds on to the Bira corners slightly better than the standard version.

According to Mazda, the added weight of the roof system means the suspension has been tweaked slightly, and this has paid off in terms of a more refined character.

But in the MX-5, refinement is sometimes not what you want. The rear end doesn't come out as easily any more, and the steering isn't as beefy as before. Sadly, the wild cat has lost its jungle touch.

But that's for the better, since lazy Bangkok drivers can just cruise their new MX-5 roadsters comfortably along Sukhumvit Road carrying out their daily chores. The suspension comprises a front double wishbone with stabiliser and a rear multilink, while stopping power comes from four-wheel-discs with ABS.

Unlike the older models, there is enough space for comfort inside the car, especially the legroom, and the roof is now automatic. The steering-wheel height can be adjusted, meaning that it doesn't rub against my legs any more. The interior design is great, although some colour themes could be used instead of the black plastic, to make it appear more lively. The leather seats offer good support when driving hard, and the position of the pedals is just right.

There are dual front and side air bags, and the A-pillar and front frame have been specially strengthened with steel.

To maximise trunk space, there is no spare tyre. Instead, Mazda supplies a puncture-repair kit and tyre-pressure warning sensors.

The Mazda MX-5 RHT is a great-looking lightweight sports car and one that offers an entertaining drive, although the rough edges have been smoothed out to produce a more refined and mature car.

Engine: four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve

Displacement: 1,999cc

Bore and stroke: 87.5mm x 83.1mm

Compression ratio: 10.8:1

Max power: 118kW(160hp) at 6,700rpm

Max torque: 188Nm at 5,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed AutomaticRatios: 3.538/2.060/1.404/1.000/0.713/0.582

Final drive ratio: 4.100

Suspension (f/r): double wishbone/multilink

Steering: powered rack-and-pinion

Min turn: 9.4m

Brakes (f/r): vented discs/discs