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If there was ever a doubt that the Mazda MX-5 is one of the most important sports cars in modern times, this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed will put paid to that as the Japanese car maker will celebrate the production of its one millionth roadster. That specific car will be on display at the Festival along with a host of other models from past and present. The MX-5 has become the world's best-selling two-seater sports car in its four generations, with the current model proving to be arguably the best yet.
Mazda will also be using the Goodwood Festival of Speed as the stage to give its new MX-5 RF its official European debut. Unveiled earlier this year this second model line uses a folding hardtop to give the MX-5 a coupe-like image and is part of the name with RF standing for Retractable Fastback. It takes on a different outward appearance to the soft-top roadster and is likely to win over a whole new set of fans.
Nobuhiro Yamamoto, Programme Manager for the Mazda MX-5, says: "With the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF we freed ourselves from traditional ways of thinking and took on fresh challenges in order to create something new. Our aim was a convertible sports car with gorgeous fastback lines when the roof is closed and an exhilarating open-air feeling when open."
This year's Goodwood Festival of Speed will run from June 23 to 26 and will see a full celebration of the Mazda MX-5 comprising of all model generations as well as much more. Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda Motors UK, added: "It's great that we have the one-millionth MX-5 with us at Goodwood, as this car is a physical milestone that highlights the continued success of the MX-5. With the current convertible we have a spectacular car that continues to win praise from our customers and the media alike, and having been crowned both World Car of the Year and UK Car of the Year, we're looking forward to another bumper year of MX-5 convertible sales."