It was a surprise when the new 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF – retractable fastback – drove onto the stage of the 2016 New York International Auto Show sporting wild buttresses and a hide-away targa roof panel. The buttresses lift up and swallow the rear window and roof panel in a matter of seconds, and then the buttresses snug back down. Both the 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines will be available globally, but only the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine will be sold in the US. The roof can be operated at up to 6.2 mph. Mazda claims the truck space is unaltered from the soft-top model.
Mazda listened to all of the positive feedback and decided to offer the same vehicle from the auto show as a limited-edition model. It's called the MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition, only 1,000 of them will be made, and they'll go only to Mazda's "valued customers." The Launch Edition is painted Machine Gray with a black roof panel and has Auburn Nappa leather on the inside – the same combination as the debut car. Future MX-5 RF models will be available with the same paint and leather, but will miss out on the black roof and special badges. Launch Edition buyers will also get a numbered Tourneau watch with the vehicle, and will only have just one choice to make – manual or automatic transmission. (autoblog.com)
(Photos from autoblog.com & ultimatecarpage.com)