MAZDA chose the New York motor show to introduce its latest version of the ever-popular MX-5.

Showgoers have seen the legendary sports car with a new version of retractable hardtop roof which opens and closes at the touch of a button while on the move at speeds of up to 6mph.

The latest model has been named the MX-5 RF (retractable fastback) and will be available in Europe with a choice of two revvy petrol engines - the SKYACTIV-G 1.5 and SKYACTIV-G 2.0 - mated either to a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT gearbox or - exclusively for the MX-5 RF - a six-speed automatic.

Also special to the MX-5 RF is a new selection of body colours. They include Machine Grey, a new premium colour specially designed to accentuate the dynamic surfaces of Mazda's newcomer.

Mazda designers say that 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.

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