If you were in charge of Mazda, what would you do with the MX-5 Miata here at NYIAS 2016? It’s already the top-selling, longest surviving roadster in automotive industry history.
You celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special MX-5 celebratory edition a couple years ago. Then, you completely redesigned the Miata front to back for 2016 – a re-creation that put the car on many “best of the year” lists. What’s left to keep the car on the front page of automotive news for 2017?
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Mazda answered that question at NYIAS 2016 by taking a little off the top. At a special pre-auto show media event, the Japanese automaker introduced the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF – a new hardtop convertible version of the beloved roadster.
The addition to the MX-5 family doesn’t mess with the very successful and visually stunning Mazda Kodo Design Language. The lines of the 2016 MX-5 remain, even as the power roof retracts into the clam shell awaiting behind the driver’s head.
In fact, the new Miata uses a Targa hardtop convertible roof design. Put simply, a Targa roof originated with Porsche and the 911. The engineering automatically tucks the roof in a solid compartment behind in the rear of the car.
By moving a solid roof structure into the body work of the car, the MX-5 RF maintains more structural rigidity and stability that a ragtop convertible can manage. At the end of the driving day, the Targa design makes sure an already excellent driver’s car remains locked in, top up or down.
Buyers will be able to pre-order the car later this summer. As for price, it hasn’t been made public yet. If you figure the current, soft top convertible MX-5 runs just north of $30,000, it’s safe to assume this hardtop sister will flirt with $35,000.
