If one of Mazda’s concept Miatas for the 2016 SEMA show looks a bit familiar, you’re not mistaken. The Miata Speedster concept, pictured in white above, is returning to the tuner show with a few modifications. It’s now called the Speedster Evolution, and Mazda says it boasts a curb weight of just under 2000 pounds, or nearly 100 pounds less than last year’s Speedster concept.
Mazda hasn’t yet shared how exactly it cut out that extra weight. Other than the diet, there isn’t much else different about the Speedster, which remains a sleek-looking variation on the MX-5 with its carbon-fiber deflector in place of a windshield and tonneau cover. It is now painted in a color called White Ether, and it looks to have different wheels and tires compared with last year’s concept.
Mazda’s other concept is fresher. The MX-5 RF Kuro is based on the new-for-2017 Miata RF retractable-hardtop variant. It is not quite as extreme as the Speedster; instead, it’s a design concept that focuses more on appearance. To correspond with its name, which Mazda says is Japanese for “charcoal,” this RF is painted in a semi-matte dark gray and comes with 17-inch Rays wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich g-Force Rival tires. The only other performance upgrade is the adjustable suspension from the MX-5 Cup racer; hence the concept’s slightly lowered stance.

In Depth with the Mazda Miata Speedster and Spyder Concepts
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF: ...