4th gen ND Mazda MX-5 Miata

[R_E_L]

Man, this thing has me rethinking my priorities...

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by GhostRai

I'm coming with you!!

That's what she said.

[Captain Snooze]

Ok. I am not quite sober but I think that is a styling win.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by reni

This is cool and all, but I don't understand why Mazda designers preferred this extremely complex mechanism over a much simpler 911 Targa-style sliding glass panel which would also provide greater rigidity

Er, this is exactly like the 911 Targa mechanism except the rear window also goes down. Entire rear assembly (in Porsche's case, it's a chunk of glass) comes up, roof panel retracts, rear assembly goes down. I think if you're buying a convertible top, it's a given that complexity and weight are not really big concerns.

[Entroper]

Originally Posted by Entroper

There are reports on miata.net of focus group meetings where people saw something that looked less like the NC's folding hard top and more like a targa.

Thanks, focus group attendees!

[Nevermore]

Ah, so close! I love that roof profile (though in my greedy opinion it could be even more fastback-esque) but I just can't get behind the buttresses. While I love the idea of rolling down the back window for proper airflow, I'd much rather have a normal, coupe shape with a curved back window. The car is shaped beautifully, but that rear design is a dealbreaker for me.


I'll just keep holding out for a true, fastback coupe.

[wbradley]

Nice option. Too bad at age (almost) 52 I feel I am too young for a Miata. I'll stick with my FI twin. For those jumping ship, welcome to the Mazda forums!

[BWilky]

I must say, they did a great job and was a surprise that it was not a normal hardtop like the NC version. Will be interesting what the weight increase is and how performance is effected.
Still happy with my 2016 BRZ order.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Let me redefine my question:
I wonder if, like the NC, the stock rollover protection is inadequate on the hardtop and modification is too difficult and unsightly for most owners rendering hardtop ND's nearly untrackable....

In the reveal video you can see roll bars behind the seats, not sure they are high enough or strong enough for real protection.

Overall, nice concept, but overly complex when a manual panel would work just as well, and it's still a Miata. They'll probably sell them (literally) by the boatload depending on the price. I'd take this over the full convertible model, but only if forced to pick one or the other, and only if it was with MomHawk being held at gunpoint.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

In the reveal video you can see roll bars behind the seats, not sure they are high enough or strong enough for real protection.

Overall, nice concept, but overly complex when a manual panel would work just as well, and it's still a Miata. They'll probably sell them (literally) by the boatload depending on the price. I'd take this over the full convertible model, but only if forced to pick one or the other, and only if it was with MomHawk being held at gunpoint.

I would set the stereo to play the transformers theme every time I hit the top button.

[vh_supra26]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iTZs7-Nw1U"]Mazda MX-5 RF video debut - YouTube[/ame]

Mazda has unveiled the MX-5 Retractable Fastback (RF) on the dawn of the 2016 New York International Auto Show.

Unlike the previous-generation MX-5 PRHT, its successor adopts a targa configuration in the same vein as the much more expensive Porsche 911 Targa. Along with the different roof folding mechanism, the car has received a different name as Mazda will sell this MX-5 version with the “RF” suffix to point out we are dealing with a “retractable fastback.”

While on the regular MX-5 Roadster you have to manually pull up or down the fabric roof, on this new RF version you just have to press a button and let the top automatically open or close. This can be done at speeds of up to 6.2 mph (10 kph) and when the hard top is stowed, the MX-5 RT still manages to offer the same cargo capacity as the Roadster.

Aside from receiving a new roof, the MX-5 RF also welcomes a new three-coat paint called “Machine Grey” developed specifically for this version and billed as being a “premium color.”

Power will be provided by the same SKYACTIV-G 1.5 and SKYACTIV-G 2.0 gasoline engines, but in United States it will be available only with the larger unit. These two engines will work with a standard six-speed manual gearbox and an optional six-speed automatic.

Debuting today at the New York Auto Show, the Mazda MX-5 RF is scheduled to go on sale as a 2017 model year and pricing will be announced closer to the car's launch.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11603231...th-retractable

[quik1987]

Pretty dope

[Mr.Impreza]

All i can say is Toyota & Subaru need to take notes and start making awesome looking cars like this! Mazda is on top of it's game lately, they just took a good looking car and made it even hotter!

[vh_supra26]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6nhl7VJ3C4"]The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Reveal from NYIAS - YouTube[/ame]

A retractable hardtop Miata may not have been a total surprise by the time the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF pulled on to the stage at this week's 2016 New York AutoShow.

After all, Mazda Europe leaked pictures of the car before the official introduction, and they were picked up by several outlets. However, Tuesday night’s reveal was surely unexpected as those early pictures suggested a possible Miata coupe.

New Mazda North America chief Masa Moro introduced himself and quickly made way for the power folding hardtop Miata. Instead of a compact folding hardtop like the last-generation car, the 2017 Miata gets a folding hardtop with fastback-style rear pillars that remain in place with the top up or down. It gives the car either a coupe-like or targa-like look, and this may be as close as we ever get to the long-desired Miata coupe.

The folding hardtop, which can be deployed at speeds up to 7 mph, is a single piece and hides in the trunk without taking any extra cargo room compared to the cloth top.

According to Mazda, the RF stands for “retractable fastback” and not necessarily “really fast.” The same 2.0-liter inline-4 powers the MX-5 RF and softtop alike, and makes 155 horsepower in both applications. Mazda didn't say how much weight the retractable top will add, but it’s likely to add more than 100 pounds in motors alone.

Mazda didn't say when the model will hit showroom floors, nor how much it will cost when it does. However, the automaker did say the MX-5 RF models will be available with either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, and that it will be offered in Machine Gray, a Kodo-inspired color it’ll share with the latest CX-9 SUV. No matter what color buyers choose, they will have perhaps the best looking Miata of all time.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...ck-dandy-video