Mazda Unveils 2017 MX-5 Miata RF Retractable Hardtop
CARS.COM — At an event ahead of the 2016 New York International Auto Show, Mazda unveiled the 2017 MX-5 Miata RF, a version of the new MX-5 that features a power hardtop and fastback styling. RF is short for “retractable fastback.”
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This isn’t the first time that the Miata has been offered with a power folding hardtop. The previous generation also offered one and Mazda says that at the end of that generation’s life, hardtop convertible models accounted for more than half of its sales.
On that car, however, the hardtop stored completely, leaving the basic top-down profile of the Miata unchanged. That’s not the case here. Even with the RF fastback’s roof stowed, the flowing rear pillars stay up, giving the RF a completely different look that is staggering in person. This means that the Miata RF doesn’t offer a full convertible roof, but I don’t think prospective buyers will care. This thing is seriously gorgeous, with the top up or down.
The hardtop has a sound-absorbing headliner to increase cabin isolation and can be operated at speeds up to around 6 mph. The RF model offers the same trunk space as soft-top versions. The length, width, and wheelbase of the RF are unchanged versus the soft-top; only the height has changed (up by .2 inches). It will feature the same SKYACTIV-G 2.0 engine as well.
No word yet on pricing, but Mazda says it will start taking preorders late this summer with deliveries to follow.
