USA - The Mazda MX-5 Miata takes the Best Convertible to buy award from The Car Connection.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has been named the Best Convertible to Buy for 2017 by the editors of The Car Connection. The editorial team at the automotive news and vehicle reviews website agreed that the lightweight MX-5 roadster is a standout in its class, outperforming its competitors with a driving experience that only the world’s best-selling roadster can deliver.

“We’ve owned them, raced them, test-driven them. Year after year, the Mazda MX-5 Miata reminds us that less does indeed equal more,” said Marty Padgett, editorial director for Internet Brands Automotive, the parent company of The Car Connection. 

“It’s a welcome diversion from the horsepower arms race, with its light weight, sharp handling and stylish body. It’s the very essence of the classic two-seat sports car.”

The MX-5 embodies Mazda’s commitment to pure driving enjoyment and its spirit lives in every vehicle it sells. Earlier this year, the 2016 MX-5 was awarded as the first vehicle to ever win World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year in the same year. Globally, there have been more than one-million MX-5s built, speaking to the loyal following it has earned throughout the past three decades from daily drivers, to weekend warriors to racers to parent-child project cars, alike.

With a starting MSRP[1] of $24,915, the 2016 MX-5 Miata adopts Mazda’s full suite of SKYACTIV Technology and KODO—Soul of Motion design language. The pricing and packaging on one of the torchbearers for the Mazda brand provides owners with superb value at every price point, keeping the MX-5 Miata top-of-mind as one of the world’s most beloved convertibles. In 2017, the MX-5 family will grow with the inclusion of the MX-5 RF retractable fastback convertible.

The One Millionth Mazda MX-5 Miata will be making one last stop in the USA before heading off to the next port of call.

Fans of World’s Best-Selling Roadster Have One Last Opportunity to Sign the Milestone MX-5 Before It Heads Overseas

The one-millionth Mazda MX-5 Miata has traveled throughout much of the world this year, already reaching fans all over the U.S. and Canada. Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is proud to announce that it will be making one last tour stop at the Los Angeles Auto Show from November 18-27.

“We have been fortunate to have the one-millionth MX-5 on our shores since August, giving enthusiasts from the U.S. and around the world the opportunity to be a part of both Mazda history and a milestone for the automotive industry,” said Robert Davis, senior VP, U.S. Operations, MNAO. 

“This MX-5 shows just how far we’ve come—from a little company with big ideas to a torchbearer for defying convention and keeping the thrill of driving alive for everyone.”

Following MX-5 being awarded as the only vehicle ever named World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year concurrently, excitement further swelled when Mazda Motor Corporation announced that the one-millionth MX-5 had been produced on April 22, 2016. That car traveled throughout Japan and Europe during the spring and summer and reached the U.S. in August, where it embarked on the “Millionth Miata Celebration Tour.”

Its first North American stop was in Monterey, California, at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. It was then shipped to the East Coast, starting in Boston, and headed to the Midwest and through the South and through the Gulf region to end its U.S. tour at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for Miatas at Mazda Raceway.

Following Miatas at Mazda Raceway, the MX-5 traveled to Mazda Canada’s headquarters in Richmond Hill, Ontario, where it gathered another 350 signatures from owners, enthusiasts and employees.

In all, more than 4,000 people in North America have autographed the one-millionth MX-5. Mazda executives, engineers and employees have signed in its trunk and underneath its hood. Many engineers have signed parts they helped develop on the fourth-generation roadster, such as suspension arms and on the engine.

For its last hurrah in the U.S., the one-millionth MX-5—a 1.5-liter, right-hand-drive, Japanese-spec model—will be placed in the Ride & Drive area outside the Los Angeles Convention Center, where those who register to test-drive Mazda vehicles on public days will have the opportunity to sign the car. Signing will take place during normal auto show hours until all signature spots are filled but the 1,920 spots allocated for its final tour stops in Australia and New Zealand.

Following its visit to New Zealand next February, the one-millionth MX-5 will stay on permanent exhibit in the Mazda Museum in Hiroshima, Japan.

By the Numbers:

North American tour stops (total)	20
Farthest distance driven by a fan to sign car	1,400 miles (Calgary, AB, to Monterey, CA)
Number of spaces on car	13,050
Number of spaces filled in North America	Approximately 4,000 to date
State with most tour stops	California (4)
Largest MX-5 markets in the U.S.	1.     Greater Los Angeles 2.     Greater San Francisco 3.     Greater New York City 4.     Dallas-Fort Worth 5.     Orlando-Daytona Beach
Farthest countries traveled from to attend Miatas at Mazda Raceway	·       Netherlands ·       Japan ·       Thailand
Total North American tour distance traveled (including to L.A. Auto Show)	14,607 miles
Earliest known VIN in existence	No. 14 (white racecar in MNAO Heritage Collection)
Number of smiles produced as a result of driving an MX-5	Too many to count

USA - Mazda today announced that it has sold out of the 1,000-car allocation for the 2017 MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition.

Two-Thirds of Customers Select Manual Transmission, Deliveries to Begin Early 2017

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that it has sold out of the 1,000-car allocation for the 2017 MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition.

In the first week of ordering, which started September 26, more than 500 loyal Mazda customers put down deposits to buy a Retractable Fastback MX-5 Miata. When ordering opened to the general public on October 3, the remaining cars sold out in just 13 hours. In all, 67 percent of customers opted for manual transmissions.

Each U.S.-bound MX-5 RF Launch Edition will be painted Machine Gray Metallic and come with Auburn Nappa leather seating appointments, a hand-painted black roof and special badging—the latter three exclusive to the MX-5 RF Launch Edition for 2017. Customers also will receive a serialized Tourneau 42mm MX-5 RF Launch Edition watch.

“The 2017 MX-5 RF Launch Edition preorder program was created to reward loyal Mazda customers with exclusive access to some of the first MX-5 RF models to be sold in the U.S., as well as to ramp up anticipation for what was arguably the star of the 2016 New York International Auto Show,” said Robert Davis, senior VP, U.S. Operations. “By every measure, this program was a success, and we’re excited to be that much closer to getting these cars into the garages of customers from all over the U.S.”

Production of MX-5 RF started last week, and orders have been submitted this week for the U.S. MX-5 RF Launch Edition, with deliveries to customers beginning early 2017.

With the MX-5 RF Launch Edition having sold out, focus now shifts to the standard-production MX-5 Club and Grand Touring models.

The hardtop sibling of the 2016 World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year will come in tech-laden MX-5 RF Grand Touring and harder-edge MX-5 RF Club trim levels and will be available with a SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic in either trim level.

While most features of the MX-5 RF are carryover from soft top models, there are a few additions for 2017 that will separate the Retractable Fastback from its cloth-covered sibling, including a 4.6-inch full-color TFT gauge and the availability of Machine Gray Metallic paint in substitution of Meteor Gray Mica that is available on the soft top. For 2017, all MX-5 Club models will come standard with Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, regardless of their roof option. Previously, these features were available only on MX-5 Grand Touring models.

All MX-5 RF models come with a seven-inch MAZDA CONNECT^TM touchscreen infotainment system that integrates audio, SiriusXM and HD Radio, phone and diagnostic functions that can also be used via Commander control knob or voice commands as well as a nine-speaker BOSE^® audio system with integrated headrest-mounted speakers, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob and LED headlights and tail lights. MX-5 Club models come with premium cloth seats with red stitching, a Bilstein suspension, front and rear black functional aerodynamic body extensions and a limited-slip differential in models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.

MX-5 RF Club models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission can be further optioned with the Brembo/BBS Package that includes a front shock-tower brace; side sill body extensions; forged, lightweight BBS 17-inch wheels; and Brembo front brakes with wider brake pads for greater heat dissipation during spirited driving. The package also includes red-painted brake calipers.

MX-5 RF Grand Touring models feature heated leather seating surfaces, Adaptive Front-lighting System, High Beam Control and Lane Departure Warning.

MSRP[1] for MX-5 RF Club and Grand Touring models:

MX-5 RF Club 6MT	$31,555
MX-5 RF Club 6AT	$32,285
• Brembo/BBS Package (6MT only)	$3,400
MX-5 RF Grand Touring 6MT	$32,620
MX-5 RF Grand Touring 6AT	$33,825
• Advanced Keyless Entry (Standard on 6AT models)	$130

Premium paint options:

Soul Red Metallic	$300
Machine Gray Metallic	$300
Crystal White Pearl Mica (GT models only)	$200

The new Mazda MX-5 RF is joining the UK MX-5 range with pricing and specification listed.

• The all-new Mazda MX-5 RF Retractable Fastback on sale from the 4^th March 2017.
• Priced from £22,195 to £28,995 the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF joins the award-winning MX-5 range.
• Limited to just 500 cars, the £28,995 Launch Edition features unique styling and equipment.

With production having started at Mazda’s Ujina Plant in Hiroshima Japan, the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF Retractable Fastback will go on sale in the UK on the 4^th March 2017. 

With the first cars produced heading to Europe and North America, UK drivers will be able to get behind the wheel of Mazda’s exciting new MX-5 Retractable Fastback early next year.

With a limited run of just 500 cars, the six model range will be heralded by the flagship Launch Edition. 

Powered by a 160ps 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G engine, the Launch Edition is marked out by its unique twin-tone roof, BBS wheels, black door mirrors and black rear spoiler. Available with a choice of free-of-charge Soul Red or Machine Grey metallic paint, it also comes with a Safety Pack as standard, while the exclusive feel continues inside with Alcantara trim and Recaro seats.

Designed to offer a new dimension of open-top driving fun, while at the same time staying true to the underlying principle of the previous generation MX-5 retractable hardtop, the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF’s ‘fastback’ styling gives it a unique appearance roof up or down, broadening the appeal of the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car.

As with the established Mazda MX-5 convertible, all models powered by the 2.0-litre 160ps engine feature a limited slip differential and 17-inch wheels; while Sport Nav models (and the Launch Edition) feature Bilstein dampers and strut brace to further enhance their dynamic set up. Plus, with the introduction of the £27,095 Sport Nav Auto, the current generation of MX-5 is offered with an automatic gearbox for the first time in the UK. Offered in both SE-L Nav and Sport Nav trim, RF’s powered by the 1.5-litre 131ps engine will arrive in dealerships in May.

Developed to deliver enhanced cabin comfort and a refined ride, while at the same time maintaining the agility, performance and driver engagement of the MX-5 convertible, the suspension and electric power steering parameters of the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF have been specifically tuned for the Retractable Fastback. In addition, a sound-absorbing headliner used in the front and middle roof panels combines with sound insulation around the rear wheel housings to deliver a significantly quieter cabin when the roof is closed.

“With the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF we freed ourselves from traditional ways of thinking and took on fresh challenges in order to create something new. Our aim was a convertible sports car with gorgeous fastback lines when the roof is closed and an exhilarating open-air feeling when open,” commented Nobuhiro Yamamoto, Mazda MX-5 Programme Manager.

The MX-5 RF’s retractable hardtop consists of front, middle and rear roof sections, and a rear screen. When the top is lowered the front and middle portions are stowed together, while the rear glass sits behind the seats, leaving the rear roof section in place to create a unique open-topped look, and a cabin feeling that combines a sense of open air freedom with the impression of being securely ensconced within the car.

On the Launch Edition the front and middle roof sections feature a piano black finish that contrasts with the Soul Red or Machine Grey metallic paint, which both use Mazda’s unique “TAKUMINURI” paint process to deliver glossy depth and nuanced shading that intensifies the contrasts between light and shadow with its high-density finish, giving the impression that the body was sculpted from a solid block of steel. 

Building on the all-new Mazda MX-5’s award-winning design, the RF’s roof up style will set it apart when it arrives on UK roads early next year. A 5mm increase in roof height aside, the RF retains the same overall length, width and wheelbase as the MX-5 convertible, but thanks to gently downward slopping buttresses that tuck in at the sides to create a teardrop shape, the RF’s elegant fastback silhouette accentuates the MX-5’s dynamic and contemporary sports car proportions in a completely unique way.

“If we consider the convertible model to represent the purist of lightweight sports car appeal, the new Retractable Fastback epitomises a new type of MX-5 that aims to be a compact sports car with a natural charm that everyone will find beautiful,” commented Masashi Nakayama, Mazda MX-5 Chief Designer.  

With pre-order now open, the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF will arrive in dealerships on the 4^th March 2017 and promises to add another chapter in the MX-5 success story.  Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda Motors UK said, “We’re very excited about the arrival of the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF. It will add a unique and stylish model to our range, one that stands distinct from the MX-5 Convertible, yet retains all the award-winning driver appeal our sports car is famed for."   

Adding, “With over 120,000 sales since its launch in 1990, the UK has played a huge part in the MX-5 success story. The last generation of retractable hardtop accounted for a large percentage of MX-5 sales and we expect the all-new RF to continue that trend.”

All-new Mazda MX-5 RF pricing

Mazda MX-5 RF 1.5 131ps SE-L Nav	£22,195
Mazda MX-5 RF 1.5 131ps Sport Nav	£24,795
Mazda MX-5 RF 2.0 160ps SE-L Nav	£23,095
Mazda MX-5 RF 2.0 160ps Sport Nav	£25,695
Mazda MX-5 RF 2.0 160ps Sport Nav Auto	£27,095
Mazda MX-5 RF 2.0 160ps Launch Edition	£28,995
Options		Basic Price	VAT	MSRP
Mica/Metallic/Pearlescent Paint		£458.33	£91.67	£550
Soul Red or Machine Grey Metallic Paint		£558.33	£111.67	£670
Nappa leather trim*		£166.67	£33.33	£400
Safety Pack (High Beam Control and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert)**		£333.33	£66.67	£400
*Optional on Sport Nav models only.

**Optional on 160ps Sport Nav models only.

All-new Mazda MX-5 RF Specification

SE-L Nav 1.5 131ps

Black cloth seat trim

LED headlights

Climate control air-conditioning

7” Colour touch-screen display

Multimedia Commander

Cruise Control

Integrated navigation system

DAB radio

Integrated Bluetooth^®

16” Alloy wheels

Body colour door mirrors

Additional on 2.0-litre 160ps engine

Limited Slip Differential

17” Gunmetal alloy wheels

Piano Black door mirrors

Sport Nav 1.5 -131ps (as above plus)

Heated black leather seat trim

Dusk-sensing lights

Rain-sensing wipers

Auto dimming rear-view mirror

Lane Departure Warning System

Adaptive Front lighting System

Smart keyless entry

Rear parking sensor

Premium Bose^® sound system

16” Gunmetal alloy wheels

Piano black door mirrors

Additional on 2.0-litre 160ps engine

Bilstein Sport suspension

Strut brace

17“ Bright alloy wheels

Body colour door mirrors

Additional on Launch Edition

Recaro seats

BBS wheels

Twin tone roof

Alcantara pack including dashboard panel, gearshift boots, handbrake boots and door cards

Limited Edition numbering

Piano Black door mirrors

Piano Black rear spoiler

Safety Pack

Free-of-charge Soul Red / Machine Grey Metallic paint