Miata Coupe Concept from 1996 NYIAS

This past week at the New York International Auto show Mazda unveiled the Miata RF, featuring a retractable hard top. The hard top is a welcome addition to those of us who live in colder climates where a ragtop does not offer adequate insulation for year round use. A hard top improves usability but at the cost of increased weight and complexity which are both against the Miata formula. Instead of a retractable hard top, why doesn’t Mazda make a Miata Coupe?




A Miata coupe is an opportunity to introduce a brand new model without the cost of designing an entirely new car. With a fixed roof the Miata coupe would be a more rigid platform that would improve handling without adding unnecessary weight or complexity. In addition to added rigidity the coupe would also appeal to enthusiasts who are not interested in convertibles.

In 1996 Mazda reveled a Miata coupe concept car to the acclaim of enthusiasts everywhere. It offered improved handling and fastback styling without sacrificing the purity of the Miata driving experience. Mazda planned to build this car based on the response from customers. Although there was a lot of positive feedback Mazda never built this car in the US market. An NB Miata coupe was available in Japan but it was built in small numbers. For now we are stuck in a world of convertible only Miata’s but one day maybe Mazda will pull the trigger and offer a coupe version of its best selling sports car.


Would you prefer a Miata coupe or convertible ?