2017 Mazda MX-5 RF Launch Edition

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)

2016 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spider by Touring Superleggera

The latest work from Italian design house Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Like the hardtop version that came before it, this car is actually based on the bones of an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. That means it's bound to be a rare beast, since only 500 8C coupes and 500 8C Spiders were ever built.

Apparently, just seven of these droptops are planned, and each one will be painted in a different color. The hue we see on the car that's debuting at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show is called Blue Ceruleo, which we figure pretty much means Sky Blue. 

We don't have any details about what powers the Disco Volante Spider, but we'd guess it uses the same 4.7-liter V8 and six-speed semi-automatic transmission that powered all the original 8C models. That would mean 444 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, a 0-60 run 4-ish seconds and a top speed of around 180 miles per hour. (autoblog.com)

(Photos from autoblog.com & autowp.ru)