Likewise Mark, I think it looks very promising and the auto being available in Europe is very interesting.
Although, of course, by the time the version arrives in Europe, we might not be part of it
ummm…
Oh well theres always the NE to look forward too…
but at least we have a new grey !
Mazda will be selling these cars in the UK, regardless of our EU membership. In fact I seem to recall that the EU imposed an import tariff / quota on Japanese cars?
I certainly welcome the auto - although I would like to see the RF in person before deciding if I like it. It does look slightly odd at the back.
come on, be fair, its not just any old grey its…
Machine Grey, a new premium colour specially designed to accentuate the subtle yet dynamic surfaces of Mazda’s KODO – Soul of Motion exteriors. Developed in the belief that colour is one of the elements of form, Machine Grey expresses the beauty of a machine’s strength and precision. By intensifying the contrast between light and shadow with a sleek, high-density finish, it gives the impression that the vehicle’s body was sculpted from a solid block of steel.
I really like this! I think it’ll be a “winner”.
As other posters have pointed out, shades of the Jaguar XJS & Datsun 240Z.
Pleased too to see that, like the NC, the roof when down doesn’t take up any of the boot space which, again like the NC, is the same regardless of soft top or folding hard top.
Tempted, but my NC Roadster Coupe’s only 4 years old with a shade under 20K on the clock & still in just about mint condition - & the same underneath too - so need to get my money’s worth out of that one first!
Not sure I understand. Where is the back window when the roof panel is retracted? Is it still vertical or folded under the roof panel?
I think it’s stunning and well done to Mazda for daring to be different.
I never liked the shape of The NC hardtop the roof looks as if it’s an afterthought which is why I went for a soft top.
With the RF it’s a different matter. Best start saving!!!
Dunno, it says the window can be down when the roof is up, so I assume it acts independent of the roof, and can also be up when the roof is down to act as a wind blocker. Anyone worked this out yet?
On my old Honda CRX Del Sol you had a button to lower the rear window. Basically a 3rd electric window. I imagine this is the same. I do miss my old Honda. This is the first car that looks like it could replace it.
Edit.
Watch the end of this vid. You’ll see the rear electric window being lowered. Just a window switch.
I think the point is that you miss the point. The car is not for you, it was never designed for you and no amount of electric additions and ■■■ kissing sales people would ever make it right for you. Your next stop is an SLK.
yes i often look at grey coloured cars and think of the form and dynamic surfaces, and never does it remind me of John Major or Spitting Image…
Datsun 240zx ?
Wash your mouth out Mr Clarke (LOL)
Martin, looks to me like it Z-folds into the space that the soft top would normally go. In order to do this the roof panel would sit above the glass.
I suspect that the roof and the glass cannot be operated independant of each other.
I quite like it. Not keen on the colour they have chosen to promote it. Think they could have picked a lot better colour to show it off better.
I might be tempted to change from my NC Roadster if they started undersealing the car properly from the factory. As there is no way I am doing all that again, even though it really needed it before the the rust had chance to take hold. I was lucky that I got mine done before it had chance to take hold. They would need to improve the gearing in sixth for me to consider swopping it mind, as on the motorway the NC is to low geared with regards economy. Or they could put in an all alloy diesel engine in the car, which I might be tempted by. Purely because you could drive it hard but still enjoy some kind of economy. I know that people will say its sacrilege to fit a diesel into a sports car, but the massive torque is a great benefit when you are only using the car on the road.
The rear glass can be lowered when the roof is up to recreate that mk1 unzipped feeling - but the unit is underneath the roof panels when it is open and cannot be raised again.
There is a regular clear acrylic or glass wind blocker between the headrests still present on the prototype.
Fuel economy in the ND family is much improved with the Skyactiv engine family.
Undersealing hasn’t improved, if you’re expecting to buy a new MX-5 as a keeper then factor this in to your economics.
I’d doubt very much a diesel is on the road map, the great diesel con for passenger cars is in the process of being found out.
I’ve looked again at the youtube videos and It really doesn’t look like the glass could fold away without the roof as well. However ‘Auto Express’s’ article has stated that the rear window can be lowered with the roof still in place. Wouldn’t be the motoring magazine to make a mistake though.
Now THAT’S the MX5 I’m going to wait for, if I consider changing my Mk 3.0 at all!
I need to rob a bank right now lol… That car is beautiful!