‘Retractable fastback’ does not mean questionable safety.
Today, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has confirmed that the new Mazda MX-5 RF will carry forward the original 5-star safety rating that ANCAP had been awarded to its more conventional fabric-top sibling. While the MX-5 RF was expected to retain the same crash safety rating, Mazda brought about improvements to the MX-5’s standard safety features to ensure maximum protection.
Mazda has added i-ACTIVESENSE features across the MX-5 range to strengthen its standing. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert (a system that ensures you don’t reverse into busy traffic) now feature as standard, while the MX-5 RF GT gains ‘Adaptive Front-lighting System’ (AFS) that swivels the LED headlights up to 15-degrees left or right, depending on the corner you might be tackling.
Mazda Australia marketing boss Alastair Doak said, “From the outset we were confident that the Mazda MX-5 had the inbuilt proactive and passive safety technology to earn the maximum safety rating, which is why we didn’t hesitate to crash test under the strict parameters of ANCAP. Considerable effort went into making the MX-5 the safest two-seater sports car, and this is still the case.”
The MX-5 also received the highest awarded rating from ANCAP for pedestrian protection, thanks to the Active bonnet that pops up to cushion the blow should the car come into contact with a pedestrian. Combined with energy-absorbing foam in the front bumper and a design element to prevent pedestrians from going underneath the vehicle, the MX-5’s pedestrian safety tech is unparalleled.
Standard safety kit also includes four airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, emergency brake assist (which also switches on the hazard lights during an incident), and hill-start assist.
The Mazda MX-5 is now available in Australia with a total of two body styles, two engines, and two transmission options.
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