Revolutionary and breathtaking to look at, yet simple and elegant in concept, the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF made its debut at the New York International Auto Show with rousing acclaim.

MX-5 RF was introduced with a color combination that will be exclusive to MX-5 RF versus the MX-5 soft top: Machine Gray Metallic paint color, Auburn Nappa leather interior trim with a hand-painted black roof panel, based on the Grand Touring trim level.

In addition to the Launch Edition, 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.

Unique features

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 CONNECTTM 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.

The MX-5 RF Launch Edition will be the only available hardtop model with the hand-painted black top and premium Nappa leather interior for 2017 in the U.S. Launch Edition models also feature unique door sill plates and come with a serialized, custom-designed Launch Edition watch.