MX-5 Miata gets a folding tin roof!

[zetableh]

Credit goes to a site for car wallpaper for this write-up and the pictures. I was seeing if there were any new cool wallpapers to use, and this showed up, figured I'd share the scoop with you guys!

"Mazda Motor Corporation will use the 2006 British International Motor Show for its global reveal of the new Mazda MX-5, now equipped with a power retractable hard top roof ** - and the regional debut of the Mazda BT-50 one-ton pickup truck.

The British International Motor Show will be held in London from Tuesday, July 18, through Sunday, July 30, 2006.

Featuring a new, unique power retractable hard top roof, this is an all-new addition to the third-generation Mazda MX-5 which has been celebrated globally since 2005. This new Mazda MX-5 model provides a unified sense of driving exhilaration, ready to spread the fun of lightweight sports cars in diverse and distinct new ways.

"Jinba Ittai"—or 'rider and horse as one' is the essence of Mazda MX-5, the expression reflecting the emotional connection between a horse and rider.

Mazda will also reveal its new one-ton truck, the Mazda BT-50, equipped with a powerful new 2.5- litre Direct Injection Turbo Diesel engine. The British International Motor Show marks the European premiere of this diesel engine, which made its world debut at the Bangkok Motor Show last March. Along with these models, the Mazda Sassou and Mazda Kabura concept vehicles will also be exhibited.

Mazda will hold a press conference on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 11:45 a.m. (British Summer Time).

Mazda MX-5 with a power retractable hard top roof will be known by different names around the world:
Europe: Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe
Japan: Mazda Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top
North America: Mazda MX-5 (Miata) Power Retractable Hard Top"

 

[Mr. M]

I like the MX5 a lot. I just don't really like those chintzy tailights.

 

[Alx]

Cute, love the hard top look, for all convetibles.

 

[Osnabrueck]

It appears that folding hardtops well on their way to becoming the standard for convertibles - luxury or not.

 

[wltsm]

This is on WCF!

When they first launched the car they said there would be a hard top convertible!

I don't think the MX-5 should get this, it was always a very simple roadster, and that's why I liked it!

 

[Snake Vargas]

I don't see how this makes the car so much less worthy. Sure, it'll add weight, but I think it will help the car sell much more. A truly affordable sports car but with a dash of practicality and added comfort and safety? Also, it might turn out to look really good with the hood up. If I was in the market, I'd buy one, for sure.

If anything, I'll be happy to see it instead of any of those posermobiles like the 206CC, 307CC, Tigra, Megane CC or otherwise.

Mirage - yeah, those lights.. what's with the cheapo chrome look? Replace it with all red, or give me a black backing instead.

 

[Top Secret]

I like it. Looks very nice - hopefully Mazda offers the car with a more powerful engine to combat the extra weight gained with the folding hardtop. The MPS engine perhaps? Sounds like an enticing proposition!

Despite all this, I get the feeling that with the introduction of this new model, Mazda is going against the fundamental principle behind the MX-5, that is, a pure driving experience, free of excess. However, this gives the MX-5 a wider market and consequently, more sales and more money. Which, really, is the bottom line with car manufacturers. Sure, the dyed-in-the-wool MX-5 purists might have something to say about all this, but I'm sure Mazda don't really care.

 

[Osnabrueck]

All the gas about "pure driving experiences" doesn't change the fact that people want a car that's got day to day appeal much more than they want dynamic perfection. Let's face it, not everybody owns a Miata as a weekend driver. Many commute in this thing, and eventually the ragtop wears out its welcome.

To me, a hardtop makes the Miata much more attractive despite the fact that there's bound to be dynamic penalties because of the added weight. Hardtops are the "have your cake and eat it too" solution for cabrios that up until recently, were something you'd only get in a Mercedes.

 

[Zafiro]

this is trully a chick car

 

[dOmInIX]

Cool little car! I prefer hard top over the other kind of roof (I simply can't recall the name)...

 

[wltsm]

Soft top?

 

[dOmInIX]

yea, haha...

 

[Zonda]

Looks great but I'm afraid this will raise the price and weight.

 

[wltsm]

Looks great but I'm afraid this will raise the price and weight.

I wonder if they will put a 200bhp + engine in there, it would get rid of the weight issue, and that car needs more power!

 

[Snake Vargas]

I think it already gets decent power from the 2.0L engine - 118kW and 188Nm. If they really need to, it shouldn't be much of a stretch to add the 2.3L engine from the Mazda 6 - 122kW and 207Nm; maybe a touch more if they give it a sportier tune.

Anyhow even if they don't boost the power, sure, it'll be a little slower; and with the weight, maybe a little more ponderous in the sharpest of the sharp turns, but it'll make life a little better for some who like that sort of roof. Purists can go and sulk, everyone else will welcome the choice. If nobody likes it, then sure, let it rest in peace.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

With this car, Mazda has taken the evolutionary approach to design overboard. It looks incredibly boring.

 

[notic]

i like how they made it so that the trunk doesn't have to open for the roof to retract (unlike the slk). this should save some time and some much valued trunk space.

 

[zetableh]

If I remember hearing reports, Mazda is gonna sell both a soft-top and a hard-top of the Miata. So, very truely, to each their own!

 

[warot]

I like the older Miata better. This one just doesn't seem as cohesive in terms of design, mostly because of those rear lights. When I see them, I think clear heels... not a good thought.
But if I ever got this car, I would definitely get a hardtop version.

 

[Centurion]

Wow what a great news. The car looks teriffic and the blue colour looks great too. It is no secret that a metal folding roof adds weight but you have to care in mind that this is not a Boxster or a Murc roadster in question here.
The Miata is what I would car a peoples car, it is a small, good looking, relativerly good priced non gas-guzzling sports car.

The Miata clientel are often "normal" people who don't have a substancial wealth and practicality and versitility therefore becomes important issues. Here in Sweden you hardly ever see any Boxsters or Miatas on the roads during the winter, which is due to owner not wanting their cabs to get any frost damages and additionally not freeze their ass of while driving.

With a metal folding roof I'm sure some enthusiasts might moan and bitch about the loss in performance but there will be many of those who will cheer when they get their hands on their very versetile Mazda Miata. Hopefully Mazda will be kind enough the give the car a power bump of 5-10hp to compensate for the added weight.