Mazda Introduces a Civic Del Sol-Like Miata Retractable Top and Glass

Mazda MX-5 RF (Credit: © Mazda)

A few weeks back, Mazda sent out a mailer to select journalists—myself included—claiming that it was going to “blow the top off” the New York Auto Show. Today, it reveals what that phrase meant with the reveal of the new MX-5 RF—the “RF” stands for “retractable fastback.”

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Basically, what we’re looking at here is an MX-5 with a targa top, satisfying both the folks clamoring for a fixed-roof Miata and traditionalists who say the Miata must always be a roadster.

Mazda MX-5 RF (Credit: © Mazda)

To me, as a Miata enthusiast, I love and hate this design. I love it because when the top is closed, the car looks freaking amazing. The sleek fastback roofline gives the Miata a true sports car look, and the sunken, retractable rear glass is a great touch. On the other hand, I hate it because once you retract the top, it loses all of its character and looks kind of goofy, particularly from the front three-quarters angle. Of course, I didn’t like the redesign initially and it eventually grew on me, so I will give this a chance to do the same.

From the images, achieving unlimited headroom is an intricate dance that includes the rear glass section lifting upward and the center section of the top pivoting rearward into a small compartment. TheMX-5 RF is capable of performing this ballet at speeds of up to 10 km/h (6 mph)

Mazda MX-5 RF (Credit: © Mazda)

According to Mazda, the MX-5 RF will feature the same powertrain options as the soft-top model, meaning in the U.S., it will use a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant. This engine mates to either a six-speed manual of a six-sped auto.

There is no mention of when the MX-5 RF will be available, but my gut says it’ll be in stores in time for the 2017 model year.