The Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Fastback (RF) is causing quite the stir, polarizing opinion. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, the larger point of the Miata RF is the notion that one day, Mazda would actually make a hardcore variant of the sports car. A recent conversation between Top Gear and a Mazda spokesperson revealed the automaker is definitely considering it. While the Miata RF at the New York Auto Show is just a prototype, a hardtop version could be in the cards.

"The line up is the 1.5-liter engine and 2.0-liter engine for now," said the spokesperson. "There's no immediate plan for an MPS version, but perhaps later on there will be." There's no official word on how much weight the complex folding roof adds onto the Miata RF, but it should be in the region of 100 lbs over the soft-top. "It's a bit of a different target group," said the spokesperson on the new Miata RF. "The soft top is the purer driver's car, but this is a bit more luxurious and, as you can see, it's a completely different car." Mazda expects the sales to be split 50:50 for the Miata RF and soft-top. If sales for the Miata RF and good enough, it sounds like Mazda will consider a hardcore version of the sports car.