RE: MX-5 hard-top details revealed

RE: MX-5 hard-top details revealed

Friday 15th September 2006

MX-5 hard-top details revealed

Mazda lifts the lid on spec details


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Mazda's announced more details about the MX-5 Roadster Coupé, including engine choices.

There'll be three powertrains (1.8i or 2.0i with 5-speed gearbox, 2.0i Sport with 6-speed gearbox), and a range of individual options and accessories. Prices for the Roadster Coupé range will start from £18,210 (on the road) -- £1,200 up on soft-top. But, points out Mazda, both climate control air conditioning and the Option Pack are standard on the 1.8i and 2.0i Roadster Coupe models.

From the six-strong line-up, the UK’s Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé Web site offers a choice of three range-topping models (2.0i Option Pack with Leather, 2.0i Sport and 2.0i Sport with BOSE), for delivery from November 2006.

All Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupés available on the pre-order website feature two chamber side airbags for the head and torso as standard, integrated into the seatback sides. The upper chamber protects the occupant’s head, remains firmer and inflated longer than the lower chamber, achieving an effect similar to curtain airbags in a closed-body vehicle. The lower, smaller airbag chamber provides optimal protection for the torso. Dynamic stability control with a traction control system is also standard.

A choice of six body colours is available – including two new mica colours (Stormy Blue and Copper Red), plus one mica (Galaxy Grey), one metallic (Sunlight Silver) and two solids (Brilliant Black and True Red).

The hard-top comes only with alloys as standard – 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels (on 1.8i and 2.0i Option Pack models) and 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels (on 2.0i Sport models).

Every model gets iPod connectivity via a socket in the glovebox and controllable using steering-wheel mounted audio controls. Buyers will also be able to order a BOSE ‘SoundDock’ home iPod docking station at a 20 per cent discount on the normal retail price.

The Roadster Coupé sits 10 mm higher than the soft-top and weighs an extra 37kg, but retains 50:50 weight distribution because the roof retracts into a space behind the seats, reckons Mazda. When retracted the roof leaves the boot space untouched, does not compromise luggage capacity and ensures that the driver or passenger can open or close the roof quickly and easily without needing to step out of the car.

Security features include a Thatcham 1 alarm and immobiliser, and a low insurance group.

“Global demand for the new Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe is already very strong, so availability is going to be a little bit restricted this year,” commented Mark Cameron, Marketing Director Mazda Motors UK. “We have several hundred cars destined for the UK, but to be sure of obtaining the model they desire, customers should visit the pre-order website and reserve their vehicle soon to avoid the possible disappointment of having to wait until 2007 for the car of their dreams.”

Author
Discussion

snorky

2,322 posts

257 months

Friday 15th September 2006
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"The Roadster Coupé sits 10 mm higher than the soft-top " - bloody hell the normal looks like a 4x4 as it is....

space_cowboy

971 posts

227 months

Friday 15th September 2006
quotequote all
1cm is going to make so much difference to the look isnt it rolleyes

andy_b

727 posts

257 months

Friday 15th September 2006
quotequote all
its the only 'CC' other than the SL that actually looks good with the roof up. You cant say that about the Peugeot, VW, Renault or Focus CC's. Was very impressed at its integration when I saw it at the Motor Show

rizla

29 posts

241 months

Friday 15th September 2006
quotequote all
37kg!
My beer gut weighs more than that!
I would have thought it would have to employ some sort of cunning composite material to keep weight down. But assumed it would weigh at least 100 kilos more than the rag top.
Well done Mazda!
That'll take some beating in the small sports car stakes.

DoctorD

1,542 posts

262 months

Friday 15th September 2006
quotequote all
Sorry, but that's the most unnatractive retractable hard top roof I have ever seen. The roadster looks good, well balanced and stylish but this is an MX-5 for people who don't understand MX-5s. And 10mm higher? The standard car desperately needed the Eibach lowering springs, both aesthetically and dynamically (you can feel it driving like its on stilts). Now it's higher up AND with additional weight just where you don't need it...

tahiti

988 posts

253 months

Saturday 16th September 2006
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It's not the most exciting looking car as a cabrio, but this one's even less attractive. Mind you, I am sure it will prove very popular!

mc_blue

2,548 posts

224 months

Saturday 16th September 2006
quotequote all
Plus points - the weight penalty isn't too great and shouldn't spoil the car's dynamics. Negative - it looks shocking with the roof up.

danmangt40

296 posts

290 months

Saturday 16th September 2006
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um, I think it looks great. I dunno about everyone saying this doesn't look right. If I were in the market, this'd be the top choice I think... I wish the sky (redline) had the interior fit, trunk and roof depts as right as any of the miatas.... Can't ignore the styling and power of the new turbo 'verts from GM... gxp and redline... oooh...

snorky

2,322 posts

257 months

Sunday 17th September 2006
quotequote all
"1cm is going to make so much difference to the look isnt it " - yes it will as there is already a gap large enough to get a small child in between the arch and the tyre....

Pierscoe1

2,458 posts

267 months

Sunday 17th September 2006
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when they say "sits 10mm higher", I think they probably just mean that it's 10mm higher, ground to roofline, rather than the ground-clearance being 10mm higher....

I can't think of any reason they'd raise the groud-clearance, but it's quite feasable that the metal roof is a bit taller than the canvas one....

just my 2p

busta

4,504 posts

239 months

Sunday 17th September 2006
quotequote all
Pierscoe1 said:
when they say "sits 10mm higher", I think they probably just mean that it's 10mm higher, ground to roofline, rather than the ground-clearance being 10mm higher....

I can't think of any reason they'd raise the groud-clearance, but it's quite feasable that the metal roof is a bit taller than the canvas one....

just my 2p


What he said. Which makes it 4p worth.

WIll Ferrari

114 posts

243 months

Sunday 17th September 2006
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This car will be the biggest ever selling convertible of all time, not the existing MX5 but this new hard top. The 206cc stormed the convertible market when it arrived, the MX5 is already the best anyway and with this new top it'll blow through the roof. Mazda could drop all other models and just do this for the next 20 years and makes loads of profits but alas they will try and conquer the world with their other cars too and spend all the money they make with the MX5. Stop it, do MX5's, RX8's, drop the rest, grow up to be a mini Porsche like company, make loads of profits, everyone will love you. Besides China will rule in a few years for normal saloons, so quit whilst you have the 'X' factor and built on this and profits.

The MX5 is to convertibles what McDonalds is to food and Nokia is to phones.

Merefield

86 posts

232 months

Sunday 17th September 2006
quotequote all
Give it a V6, dammit!!!!

Edited by Merefield on Sunday 17th September 21:21

chris_freebie

955 posts

245 months

Wednesday 20th September 2006
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I had the 2.0 Sport Soft top on 3 day test drive, loved it.

Would def considered the coupe version as my new company car.

However raising it 10mm seems silly as the one I had needs an option £300 to lower it 30mm quite frankly because it looks STUPID as standard, there is this HUUUUGE gap between the tyre and the wheel arch. Odd.