Mazda MX-5

Our bright red MX-5 RC long-term test car hasn’t been with us for very long, but someone has already put the boot in! Far from being critical of any of the little roadster’s characteristics, though, the culprit chose to test for themselves how strong the new folding hard-top model’s roof was – by walking all over it.

Outside a colleague’s house in north London, the MX-5 suffered the indignity of someone jumping on to the boot, stamping over the roof then sliding down the bonnet. The resulting damage is relatively minor, but is likely to prove expensive to fix.

So it’s been a traumatic start for the latest convertible to arrive in the Auto Express car park – although it will take more than a couple of rippled panels to dent our enthusiasm for what is a great all-round roadster.

The question is, can it deliver the thrills of my previous long-term test model? Having (reluctantly) handed over the keys for our Renaultsport Clio 197 to consumer editor Kim Adams, I’m eager to see if the rear-wheel-drive two-seater is as much fun to live with as the hot hatch.

The last MX-5 we ran – a 2.0-litre soft-top – was great, so I have high hopes for the flagship RC (it stands for Roadster Coupé). First impressions are that adding a solid roof to the Mazda’s body has done nothing but improve the overall package. Although I miss throwing back the manual hood of the soft-top MX-5, one thing I’m happy to avoid is the bicep-stretching effort of pulling the hood back into place. In the RC, dropping the hood is much easier: simply undo a clip, and electric motors do the rest.

While refinement is still lacking at motorway speeds, you feel insulated from the elements in the hard-top. But the wintry weather hasn’t stopped me opening the roof on clear days and enjoying the car’s fun-loving handling.

When developing the new MX-5, Mazda engineers were obsessed with retaining the same level of driver enjoyment as its predecessor offered. As a result, the RC has a simple, basic feel. The powerplant is at the front and the driven wheels are at the rear.

One surprise is just how soft the suspension is. A smooth ride over bumps and potholes makes the Mazda comfortable in all conditions. However, in the door the solid plastic cup-holder digs into your knee on long journeys.

Other gripes include the lack of character from the engine. We have no complaints about the performance, and its 31.0mpg economy is reasonable given the Mazda’s predominantly urban mileage. But the dull drone of the 158bhp 2.0-litre barely changes at any point in the rev range. And the limited practicality takes some getting used to, with two seats and a small boot.

Given that it has only just joined our fleet, the MX-5 RC still has much to prove. But with the prospect of plenty of convertible fun, I’m already counting down the weeks until spring!