Mazda reveals retractable-hardtop MX-5 RF

Moving quickly to expand the appeal of the all-new, fourth-generation MX-5 Miata roadster introduced last year, Mazda revealed prior to the 2016 New York auto show a folding hard-top version of the car called MX-5 RF, for “retractable fastback.”

Mazda invokes the “fastback” descriptor because, unlike the prior-generation MX-5's power retractable hardtop (PRHT) that folded the entire roof assembly in a storage area behind the seats, the 2017 MX-5 RF effectively is more of a “targa” design: only the roof's center section and the rear glass are removed, leaving buttresses on either side. When the roof-retraction process begins (no exact figure yet from Mazda regarding how long it takes), the one-piece side-buttress section briefly unlatches to release the retractable roof section-but then somewhat disappointingly reattaches instead of disappearing; video can be seen at: (http://insidemazda.mazdausa.com/newsroom/#assets_68).