OMG! Mazda revealed the hardtop version of the all-new MX-5 in New York, but it's not what everybody expected. Instead of installing a folding mechanism that looks like the BMW 4 Series, we got something that makes us think of Ferrari and Porsche.
The picture above pretty much says it all. For at least a couple of years, all the other affordable convertibles on the market will be eclipsed by this thing. But we got so excited that we forgot to mention the name. Say hello to the MX-5 RF, short for Retractable Fastback.
When the roof is up, the RF looks like a Nissan 370Z coupe. While it's down, we're reminded of the Honda CR-X del Sol, especially since the rear glass is vertical. However, the folding mechanism is about as complex and beautiful as that of the Porsche 911 Targa.
Unlike the 2016 MX-5 roadster, which has a manual system, the RF features a fully automated roof that opens and closes at the press of a button. However, you can't go any faster than 10 km/h. The good news is that even though the mechanism is complex, the tiny trunk of the MX-5 has not shrunk any further.
We'd like to think that the "RF" will soon be known among the Miata fanatics as the Fastback. It's got plenty of charm and will be available all over the world, including Europe, Japan and Australia, all being major markets. The powertrain options remain the same, namely a 1.5-liter we can't buy in America and a 2.0 Skyactiv-G, both available with optional 6-speed automatics.
Also being launched at the New York Auto Show will be a fresh MX-5 tone called Machine Gray, which is supposed to be perfect for KODO exteriors, as it "expresses the beauty of a machine’s strength and precision." Like Soul Red, it's meant to be Mazda's premium paint finish. The system uses a three-coat paint structure consisting of color, reflective and clear coats. The reflective layer, which contains extremely thin, high-brightness aluminum flakes, shrinks during the drying process to about one-quarter the thickness of most reflective layers.
This causes the flakes to lie flat for a high-density finish that gives the entire surface a sheen when illuminated and a natural metallic look. Between that and the cool roof, you now have every reason to buy an MX-5 and never have kids!
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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