IRVINE, Calif., July 30, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — How do you make the world’s best-selling, two-seat roadster even better? Mazda’s designers and engineers have found the answer with the 2019 MX-5 Miata RF, which goes on sale later in August.

While its biggest change comes by way of its thoroughly upgraded SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine, which is now more responsive, efficient and powerful, other numerous updates include:

• A new, standard tilt/telescoping steering column with 30mm of telescoping and 42mm of tilt range
• An aluminum steering column to save weight versus the previous steel unit
• A new, standard rearview camera
• Available Traffic Sign Recognition
• Available Smart City Brake Support low-speed automatic emergency braking

MX-5 RF Grand Touring and harder-edged MX-5 RF Club models continue to be the two flavors of retractable fastback, both offering premium style, curb appeal and performance.

MX-5 Grand Touring comes equipped with 17-inch dark silver wheels; body-color interior trim; auto on/off headlights; an auto-dimming driver’s side mirror; rain-sensing windshield wipers; automatic climate control; auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink^®; heated, leather-trimmed seats; a 9-speaker BOSE^® Premium audio system; a fabric-lined soft top for greater sound insulation; Sirius XM Satellite radio with a 4-month trial subscription, Mazda Navigation; Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert; new Traffic Sign Recognition; Adaptive Front-lighting System; High Beam Control; Lane-Departure Warning; and Smart City Brake Support.

Listening to customers’ demands, Mazda will offer a new GT-S Package for MX-5 Grand Touring models equipped with the SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission, equipping those models with a front shock tower brace, limited-slip rear differential and Bilstein dampers. MX-5 RF models with the GT-S Package will also come equipped with the hand-painted black roof that had previously only been offered in the U.S. on the 2017 MX-5 RF Launch Edition.

MX-5 Club models continue the two-pronged, higher-trim strategy, offering a harder-edged foil to the MX-5 Grand Touring. MX-5 Club comes with standard Bilstein dampers, shock tower brace and limited-slip rear differential in models equipped with the SKYACTIV-MT transmission. All other MX-5 Club models receive standard heated cloth seats with red contrast stitching, body-color interior trim; Metallic Black alloy 17-inch wheels, front air dam and rear lip spoilers, a 9-speaker BOSE^® Premium audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a 4-month trial subscription and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

MX-5 Club models are available with an i-ACTIVSENSE Club Package that comes with Smart City Brake Support and Lane-Departure Warning.

Additionally, MX-5 Club SKYACTIV-MT can be had with the Brembo/BBS Package and Brembo/BBS/Recaro Package. The Brembo/BBS Package include front Brembo rotors and calipers; red-painted brake calipers on all four corners; 17-inch, dark gunmetal BBS forged alloy wheels; functional side sill extensions; a rear bumper skirt; and heated leather-upholstered seats. The Brembo/BBS/Recaro Package is new for MX-5 RF and replaces the leather-trimmed seats with heated Recaro buckets. It also includes a black-painted roof.

All 2019 MX-5s come standard in the U.S. with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine, producing 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. That represents an increase of 26 horsepower and 3 lb-ft of torque over the previous model. Thanks to a host of internal improvements, including lighter pistons and rods and a larger throttle, MX-5’s engine produces more torque throughout its rev range and enjoys a 700 rpm higher redline for the new model year. The new engine comes paired to either a standard SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Sport mode.

MSRP¹ for all models is as follows:

Premium exterior colors:

The 2019 MX-5 RF goes on sale nationwide this August. MX-5 soft top pricing, packaging and on-sale timing will be announced at a later date.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

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¹ Manufacturer’s suggested retail price does not include $895 for destination and handling ($940 in Alaska), taxes, title or additional fees. Dealers set actual sale prices.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations