More on MX-5 Roadster Coupe
Mazda chose to show its MX-5 Roadster Coupe to the Poms firstWell, it does rain a lot in the Old Dart -- perhaps that's the reason Mazda chose the 2006 British International Motor Show to debut the latest version of the MX-5 -- the Roadster Coupe.
To be sold alongside its soft-top counterpart (for CarPoint's launch review click
), the Roadster Coupe claims a world first -- the first-ever electrically retractable hard top that doesn’t sacrifice any boot space.According to Mazda, the Roadster Coupe's three-piece top folds into an area behind the seats leaving boot space (already tight in the diminutive two-door) untouched. Mazda terms the feature "In-Cabin Roof Retraction".
Mazda also claims the mid-ship location of the roof yields handling benefits thanks to better mass centralization.
Electrically operated, save for a single centre manual latch (a la the Roadster) it takes just 12sec to stow the folding roof .
Weight is up a modest 37kg over the soft-top and according to Mazda the Roadster Coupe gets minimal body changes. The rear deck adjacent the hardtop and boot lid has been raised (with airflow and comfort benefits says Mazda) and the rear wheel arches 'pumped' slightly to balance the new look. With the roof in place the Roadster Coupe is just 10mm taller than the standard MX-5
As the weight distribution and front/rear stiffness have altered marginally over standard MX-5, Mazda has done some suspension tweaking. This is in part to also ‘refine’ the ride of the Roadster Coupe.
Says Mazda: "The MX-5 Roadster Coupe's movements feel slightly gentler than those of the soft-top model; drivers and passengers perceive a relatively smoother, milder road feel. The overall driving and riding feel is ideally suited to people who appreciate the MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s premium quality."
The interior is little changed also save for some extra brightwork (in some markets) and the switch for the roof!
Running gear is unchanged and both manual and automatic versions of the folding hardtop MX-5 will be available.
According to Mazda Australia, the MX-5 Roadster Coupe will go on sale locally in October. Final pricing and specification is to be set but the manual model should arrive at under $50,000.
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