Mazda has added an exciting new dimension to the world's
best-selling roadster, a powered retractable hard top model that
boosts the MX-5's practical appeal, while maintaining the car's
legendary fun to drive feel.
Dubbed Roadster Coupe the new model compliments the existing
soft top MX-5 line-up and benefits from the same passion and detail
design that created the third generation canvas-topped sports
car.
That attention to detail has produced a powered retractable roof
model that is the only car of its type to maintain the same boot
space, top up or down, as the donor vehicle.
It also boasts the fastest hard-top roof mechanism, taking just
12 seconds to open or close.
Acknowledging that the lifestyle of sports car owners has been
changing, Mazda was able to achieve these world firsts by
developing the Roadster Coupe at the same time as the soft-top
model.
Mazda MX-5 program manager, Takao Kijima is convinced "that we
will expand the worldwide fan base of the MX-5 with the new model."
While he understands that MX-5 enthusiasts may still prefer the
soft top option. "Even so, there are many potential customers who,
while wanting the exhilaration of open-top driving, have hesitated
to become owners because of concerns about security and comfort. We
realized that with an easy to use hard top, a great design and the
same agile chassis, we could bring these customers into the MX-5
fold," Kijima explains.
The advent of the baby boomer retiree has also had an impact on
convertible car sales. Not content to be seen in a dowdy "old
person's car", these baby boomers are wanting the fun and
excitement of convertible driving with the ease of sedan
travel.
Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, understands
this viewpoint. "We want to create cars that appeal to a wide range
of people with changing needs. We must be able to adapt. This car
embraces all that is great about the original MX-5, while providing
another option for drivers.
"Of course, we will continue to offer the soft top roof and we
are sure that it will maintain its popularity. We view this car as
an expansion on the current MX-5 and forecast a changing
demographic who will purchase the MX-5 Roadster Coupe, for reasons
different to a soft top MX-5 driver."
However, Kijima did not want this model to be a knee-jerk
reaction to growing customer demand. Instead, he wanted the MX-5
Roadster Coupe to be dynamically, technically and aesthetically
equal or superior to its original cousin.
Central to this development was one overriding goal: that the
lightweight roadster was in no way, shape or form to be diluted.
Engineers strived to keep the weight of the coupe version as low as
possible - it weighs only 37 kg more than the soft top model.
At the same time, the design of the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe
should remain close to that of the soft top model. Its silhouette -
with a low, flowing shoulder line and, unlike nearly all other
coupes/convertibles, a short rear overhang - gives the MX-5
Roadster Coupe the same lightweight, sporty road presence as the
soft top. "And the nice thing is," added Kijima, "the car looks
great with the top up."
Another goal of development was achieved by the MX-5 engineering
team. The hard top doesn't fold back into the boot, but into a
space just behind the seats. This maintains the original model's
boot space, making Mazda the first carmaker in the world to
preserve boot space in a hard top convertible.
The powered retractable hard top also cuts cabin noise on the
highway and reduces unwanted traffic noise seeping into the cabin
during city driving.
Key to the original MX-5's success was its affordability. This
quality is not lost on the new
MX-5 Roadster Coupe. Priced from just $47,660 for the leather
trimmed and Bose sound equipped car, it remains the only powered
folding hard-topped sports car priced under $90,000.
Roadster Coupe adds just $2930 to the price of the leather and
Bose equipped soft-top model, or $10 less than the fixed hard-top
offered as an accessory with all soft-top MX-5s.
Safety has also been upgraded in this latest model with the
introduction of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction
control (TCS). DSC is being progressively added across the range at
Mazda and MX-5 Roadster Coupe benefits from this new policy. Other
standard safety features include ABS anti-lock brakes with
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, dual front and front side
airbags that offer both chest and head protection, seatbelt
pretensioners with load limiters, an intrusion minimising brake
pedal and anti whiplash seats.
Roadster Coupe buyers will also appreciate the car's cruise
control, six stack CD player, wheel-mounted audio controls, tilt
adjustable steering, leather seat trim and a premium 200 Watt Bose
sound system incorporating seven speakers and an automatic sound
compensation system that adjusts the sound for open or closed-top
motoring.
The popular soft top MX-5 line-up has also been improved with
the introduction of DSC, including traction control, as standard on
all models. The soft top range is priced from $42,870.
Adding the Roadster Coupe to the MX-5 stable is the latest
chapter in the 17 year old MX-5 story.
Launched in late 1989 the MX-5 quickly reached cult status and
was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as
thebest selling sports car in 2005 with more than 720,000 sold. In
the same year, the third generation was born, and the all new MX-5
was launched with critical acclaim winning Wheels Car of The
Year and Japan Car Of The Year, along with a plethora
of other awards both in Australia and farther a field.
Central to the success of this 2005 model was Kijima's focus on
Jinba Ittai - translated to mean "oneness between horse
and rider". Updated for the 21st century, Jinba Ittai is akin to
the bond between a single-seat formula-car pilot and his racer.
Jinba Ittai is the essence of Zoom-Zoom.
The rider-and-horse idiom and the effort to create a car
universally seen as "lots of fun" served as the focal point around
which the original and the all-new Mazda MX-5 were designed and
engineered.
Five basic requirements were defined by Mazda engineers to
realise the Jinba Ittai concept.
- That the car would be as compact and as light as possible while
meeting global safety requirements.
- That the cockpit would comfortably accommodate two full-stature
occupants with no wasted space.
- That the basic layout would continue with the original's
front-midship rear-drive configuration with the engine positioned
ahead of the driver but behind the front axle for 50:50 weight
distribution.
- That all four wheels would be attached by wishbone or
multi-link suspension systems to maximise tyre performance, road
grip and dynamic stability.
- And that a power-plant frame would again provide a solid
connection between the engine and rear-mounted differential to
sharpen throttle response.
The 2.0-litre, third generation roadster, gained more power and
torque, a bigger cabin and a host of equipment upgrades that
included side airbags, a limited slip differential on manual
models, 17 inch alloy wheels, cruise control, six stack CD player,
wheel-mounted audio controls, a cloth soft top and tilt adjustable
steering.
The same dynamic features inherent to the soft top MX-5 have not
been lost on the MX-5 Roadster Coupe. This model is also powered by
a free-revving MZR engine with 118kW (ECE) that, when combined with
its exceptionally low kerb-weight provides the sheer driving fun
embraced by Jinba Ittai.
Mazda Australia expects to initially sell about 84 MX-5 Roadster
Coupes per month, with overall MX-5 sales averaging 140 per month
for the remainder of this year. Overall, MX-5 sales are expected to
average 100 a month over the car's life cycle with 60 per cent
Roadster Coupes.
The MX-5 Roadster Coupe, as with all Mazda passenger cars, is
protected by a three year/unlimited km warranty and, like the RX-8,
Mazda6 MPS and Mazda3 MPS, customers also receive 24 hour roadside
assistance for the warranty period and an advanced driving
course.