It’s one thing to come up with a great automotive design and another to evolve it to serve a larger purpose.

Does anyone believe Jaguar improved the ridiculously beautiful XK-E with the chubby 2+2 coupe? Or that the British Motor Corp. improved the MGB when it unleashed the GT 3-door coupe?

Thought not.

It makes sense, then, that fans of Mazda’s Miata experienced some anxiety when the company announced plans to design a new hardtop for the little roadster.

The new lid would comprise an automated targa-style rooftop panel supported by a pair of fixed buttresses. With the panel and rear window stowed away in a body cavity behind the seats, the buttresses would remain upright, hanging in the breeze for all the world to see.

Would they tarnish Miata’s comely lines, <em>a la</em> the E-Type and the MG, or would they somehow enhance them? 

Flying buttresses elevate organically

The news is good. The new MX-5 Miata RF (for “retractable fastback”) is arguably better-looking than the canvas-topped roadster it’s based on. Rather than detracting from the Miata’s lines, the buttresses rise organically from its sinewy shoulders, adding a hint of Italian-accented muscularity. 

The new look lends Miata a distinctive new personality and boosts its year-round usability. Because it can be stored in a smaller cavity than the previous folding hardtop, the new lid leaves intact the Miata’s already tiny trunk.

It also adds 120 pounds to the roadster’s 2,300-pound curb weight and, for better and for worse, somewhat diminishes the open-air experience.

It marginally elevates the car’s center of gravity marginally, but exerts no overt impact on handling.

The RF is just as engaging and responsive as the original. Its rigid, lightweight chassis supports a lively and fully tweak-able suspension. 

To curtail weight gain, the RF’s hood, decklid, front fenders and roof panel are made of aluminum. The buttresses are fabricated of molded plastic. 

Two trims address differing desires

There are two RF trims, Club ($31,555) and Grand Touring ($32,620). The Club’s suspension is tuned for a firmer ride and sharper responses. With its Bilstein shocks, limited-slip differential and flex-reducing shock-tower brace, it’s the default choice for autocrossers and track-day enthusiasts.

The Grand Touring detours into the comfort zone. Standard features include heated and leather-trimmed seats, automatic climate control, a Bose sound system, navigation, adaptive LED headlights and rain-sensing automatic windshield wipers. Blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning come along for the ride. 

All Miatas are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. All trims can be ordered with a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic.

In an era when Dodge builds an 840-hp muscle car, 155 hp seems negligible. But it’s enough to hurry the RF from 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. 

While enthusiasts will gravitate to the Club trim, most drivers will prefer the Grand Sport’s more forgiving suspension and greater assortment of creature comforts. 

Balanced performance

Both trims feature steering that is quick, accurate and nicely weighted. Miata’s responses are quick but not jittery; it can driven near its limits without terrorizing passengers or passersby. 

The Miata’s manual gearbox features short throws and well-defined gates. Its action is fluid and precise. Clutch take-up is ideal and the brake and throttle pedals are aligned to allow the heel-and-toe maneuver. 

If you must have the automatic, rest assured that it’s both quicker and more efficient than the stick. 

The RF shares the roadster’s small cockpit and scant storage opportunities. And, because sound-deadening measures would add unnecessary weight, the experience is not a silent one. 

Miata’s deeply bolstered seats are comfortable and supportive, though some will find them too narrow and set too low to the ground.

In all its forms, the Miata prioritizes balanced performance. Endlessly entertaining, it arguably offers more fun per pound — or dollar — than any other new car on the market.

And those buttresses? They’re nothing less than a touch of design brilliance.

Contact Don at don@dadair.com, or visit www.dadair.com.

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF
Vehicle base price: $31,555
Trim level base price: $32,620
As tested: $33,885
Options: gray paint; keyless entry and ignition.
EPA ratings: 29 combined/26 city/33 highway 
Regular unleaded fuel specified

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