Mazda MX-5 Coupe Speculation

No matter how much American men feel emasculated by the Mazda MX-5, the fact remains that it is a pretty tight car.  The 2007 model of the MX-5 was named one of the 10 Best by Car and Driver, Roadster of the Year by Top Gear, and Most Fun to Drive by Consumer Reports.  A car that many attribute as single-handedly making the affordable roadster popular again, the MX-5 is lauded worldwide.

But what if you don't like convertibles?

As it turns out, Japanese publication Best Car is reporting that Mazda may be working on a coupe version of their roadster using the current generation's NC platform.  This news comes to us by way of Autoblog.com.  Mazda experimented with the idea back in 2003 when they distributed a limited edition MX-5 Coupe only in Japan.  Not to be confused with the retractable hard-top version of the car, the straight coupe model was very popular at the end of the MX-5 NB platform product cycle.

Betting that Mazda believes anticipation for such a vehicle would out-weigh a "strike while the hammer is hot" philosophy, Best Car released an artist's rendering of a prospective MX-5 coupe which they say could be launched in 2010.  2010 represents the twilight period for the current NC generation.  As Auto-Otaku points out, this 200hp coupe would be immensely appreciated.  A sporty, rear-wheel-drive vehicle that is both lightweight and reasonably priced would surely maintain our attention.