Press Release
Page 1: Short Version
Page 2: Success Story
Page 3: Design
Page 4: Power Retractable Hard Top
Page 5: Body & Chassis
Page 6: Powertrain
Page 7: Safety & Equipment
Page 8: Specifications
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Design based on the third-generation MX-5
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Hard top design is compact, stylish and sophisticated
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More prominently contoured rear fenders and a slightly higher rear deck
The briefing for Mazda designers left no doubt: “Remain true to the basic design principals of the third-generation MX-5, while creating a new roadster coupe with its own, exciting identity.�
The third-generation MX-5 further enhanced the design of Mazda’s roadster icon. For the new Roadster Coupe, this same silhouette with a low, flowing shoulder line, was retain- ed. The same goes for the car’s overall proportions, with slight changes undertaken at the rear of the car. It is precisely here that many coupes with power retractable roofs gain in size, resulting in a massive-seeming rear overhang.
None of this can be seen in the athletic look of the new MX-5 Roadster Coupe. Its overall proportions are as harmonious as the shape of its hard top. This was achieved with a design that emphasizes the MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s open-top character first and foremost. In other words, starting point for the design was the Mazda MX-5 soft top, and not a redesigned coupe. The windshield, the entire front end, the small quarter windows, the beltline and other elements of Roadster Coupe’s front and side panels are carried over from the soft top model.
Only at the back of the new MX-5 Roadster Coupe, where the power retractable hard top is stowed, were slight, but subtle changes necessary in the area of the rear fenders and the rear deck. The front edge of the rear deck lid, for instance, is 40 mm higher than the soft top at this location. In order to realize a flowing, harmonious form at the back, designers raised the trailing edge of the boot lid by about 20 mm. The result: the rear end of the MX-5 Roadster Coupe falls softly, rather than abruptly here. Nonetheless, the overall design seems more tapered and solid-looking compared to the soft top model.
Visual Balance Achieved by More Prominent Wheel Arches
The higher rear end does not diminish MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s low, sports car road stance, because designers employed more prominently contoured rear wheel arches as a kind of visual balance. These contribute to the impression of power and make the Roadster Coupe seem to crouch on the road.
In fact, all of the Roadster Coupe’s panel articulation is highly sophisticated – there are no body lines that are not without purpose. A good example is the ridge of the rear deck lid. Running from fender to fender, this ridge merges on either side with ridges at the tops of the door panels – a visual trick that prevents the rear deck cover from seeming unusually long.
Innovative Plastic Composite Material used for the Hard Top
Using plastic material for the lightweight hard top gave designers a lot of freedom in creating just the right shape. Its glass window with a printed heating element could be made a bit larger than that of the soft top MX-5 to ensure a good rear view. When the top is closed, the MX-5 Roadster Coupe is only 10 mm higher than the soft top model; while width, length, wheelbase and track remain identical.
Another goal of development was to make the hard top as compact and stylish as possible. Its tautly curved shape makes the passenger compartment seem compact. Only the need to stow the hard top behind the seats, and not in the boot, prevented a flatter, more wedged-shaped design here. 16 To prevent the roof from seeming too upright, relatively slim B-pillar designs were employed. Added to this is a contoured edge on both sides of the roof, which optically unifies its front and middle sections.
High-Mount Brake Light with a White instead of Red Lens
A new design accent is created by the MX-5 Roadster Coupe’s high-mount brake light. It is placed further forward than that of the soft top model, is thinner and uses a white lens instead of a red one. The rear combination lights and rear bumper are absolutely identical with those of the soft top version.
The new Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe will be offered with seven exterior colours, including two all-new colours – Stormy Blue Mica and Highland Green Mica (depending on market). These new colours deliver exciting contrasts in different light conditions.
Two Buttons on the Centre Stack Operate the Hard Top
Changes to the interior include the addition of a pair of buttons to open and close the retractable hard top, each located on either side of the hazard-warning button in the upper section of the dashboard centre stack. There is also an indicator lamp that illuminates to warn the driver if, for instance, the roof does not completely lock into place upon closing.
There are also subtle changes made to the area behind and between the seats. The two storage recesses behind the seats are dropped from the Roadster Coupe – valuable inches that were put to good use stowing the retractable roof. Remaining small-storage compartments can be found in the large centre console box. The semi-bucket sport seats, with seatback pockets included, are carryover from the soft top model.
The new Roadster Coupe will be offered with three trim levels (depending on market). Besides black fabric upholstery, there are two leather trim packages – black and saddle-tan (light brown).
