MAZDA MX-5 WINS – AGAIN

Masahiro Moro, the president of Mazda North America holding the 2016 World Car of the Year trophy.

It seems that the car credited with the re-invention of the convertible, the great little Mazda MX-5, roadster can do no wrong. The fourth generation MX-5 won the 2016 World Car of the Year award last week; this week it added the World Car Design of the Year trophy. It is the first time in the history of the awards that the same car has taken both titles.

World Car of the Year has a judging panel of 73 journalists from 23 different countries; the announcement was made at the 2016 New York International Auto Show. Locally, the MX-5 won Wheels Car of the Year in Australia.

Almost as though it sensed big things were coming, Mazda chose to hold the world premiere of the retractable hardtop version of the MX-5, tagged the RF for Retractable Fastback, at the same show.

Mazda MX-5 RF has fascinating fastback styling.

Unlike the previous MX-5 folding hardtops which looked pretty much the same in profile as the soft-top, the MX-5 RF has fascinating fastback styling that slopes down to the rear. The power roof can be opened or closed at speeds of up to 10 km/h. It is stowed very compactly inside the fastback body structure so retains the same boot space as the soft-top model.

Mazda Australia says it will only import the Retractable Fastback with the 2.0-litre petrol engine. At this stage the launch date is still to be announced, as has the price. Stay tuned and we will advise the details as soon as we have them.