Did you get your Mazda MX-5 RF invitation?

22 August, 2016

 

That’s right Miata fans, if you want one of the awesome-looking Mazda MX-5 Retractable Fastbacks (RF), you’re going to need to be on Mazda’s emailing list. Mazda displayed the RF-model MX-5 at various auto shows as a concept, and, as it received a great deal of praise, they’ve decided to produce 1000 of them to test the waters — but they’re only being offered to those ‘worthy’ of the ownership. 

For me, the RF model was the styling revamp that the MX-5 needed. I don’t like soft-tops, and the styling of the later MX-5s aren’t what I’d call ‘manly’. With the addition of the fastback, the MX-5 now has a new road presence worth talking about. With a lower ride height and a set of aggressive wheels, the MX-5 could out ‘manly’ a few muscle cars.

The RF will be offered in both a manual and automatic transmission. Still, the factory 1.5-litre and two-litre variants don’t produce any power worth mentioning. The RF model will only come in the Machine Gray with a black roof panel colour, as seen here in the images, and will feature Auburn Nappa leather on the inside. 

Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.