Mazda introduced the world to a new variation of roadster at the 2016 New York Auto Show. The new car features the much anticipated power retractable hardtop only this time with a twist. In a change of direction from the previous generation's coupe, Mazda has given the ND a fastback style roof. With this in mind, the new car has been designated the MX-5 RF.
The new design is quite different from anything else on the market. The only other car with a similarly operating roof would be Porsche's 911 Targa, but that uses a much larger rear section than the Mazda. Other recent cars that spring to mind are the mid-engined Lotus Elise and Vauxhall VX220, which feature similarly extended c-pillars.
The RF's pillars are designed so the rear deck's shut line virtually disappears when viewed from the side; making the car seem like a fixed coupe is quite a clever trick. Mazda's designers also worked hard to create a teardrop shape for the cabin that curves down towards the rear and also starts to taper inwards above the rear wheel arches. This effect is most noticeable when viewed from above.
The fastback roof mechanism consists of a front section, smaller middle section, rear deck, rear glass window, and motors for either side. The roof starts to retract as the rear deck section lifts up with the motion nicely synchronised and taking about 12 seconds to complete. With the roof lowered, the rear glass is also stowed away to give the occupants a better opportunity to listen to the car's exhaust. The video clip below shows the new roof in action:
Mazda says the RF model is intended to appeal to a much wider audience than the soft top. They hope to attract buyers who want a sports car experience but wouldn't normally buy a convertible for whatever reason. Mazda expects buyers of the RF model to spend more time with the roof up rather than down. This was part of the reason for going the fastback route rather than a full convertible like the NC Coupe. The new design manages to combine feelings of being enclosed at the same time as experiencing open air motoring - it offers the best of both worlds.
Like the NC Coupe model, the RF will be marketed as the premium luxury model. The cabin will be a quieter, more refined place to be thanks to additional sound proofing in the front and middle roof sections, and around the rear wheel arch area. The RF suspension and electric power steering will be tuned to take account of the additional weight and to provide a more comfortable ride.
The roof components make use of Mazda's bioplastic material so shouldn't add a great deal of weight over the soft top version, I would expect in the region of 30kg. The car's overall dimensions are unchanged with the exception of a 5mm height increase due to the roof. Importantly, there is no penalty to boot space with the 130L capacity intact. The roof can be operated with the car in motion up to 10km/h, so you no longer have to pull over to raise or lower the roof, a definite improvement over the previous model.
The prototype launch model seen in New York also had some new interior features. To complement the Machine Grey paintwork, the interior was trimmed in auburn coloured Nappa leather. The seats and matching door panels also have grey contrast stitching, and there is a matching dashboard trim. This interior was standard on the JDM VS model.
With the roof lowered, there is a uniquely shaped acrylic windblocker to stop turbulent air blowing back into the cabin. The information display to the left of the three-meter instrument cluster has a new 4.6" colour TFT LCD screen that displays an animation of the roof when it is opening or closing. The roof control button is positioned within the panel underneath the air conditioning controls.
The RF model will be available with 1.5 and 2.0 engines and choices of 6MT or 6AT transmissions depending on market. The roof sides will be body coloured but the centre sections can be either piano black or body colour, this feature will likely be used to distinguish between 1.5 and 2.0 models or saved for special editions. The black centre was designed to give the appearance of an open top even when the roof is closed
