Mazda MX-5 droptop tin-top to debut at British Motor Show
If the rumors of a folding hardtop MX-5 are true, it looks as if Mazda will flip its lid at the British Motor Show in London this July.
Word is that the retractable tin-top will add about $2,700-$3,600 over the conventional version. It is not known what sort of weight penalty the power hardtop will exact on the limber MX-5, or if it will be bundled with other additional equipment.
The British Motor Show has been struggling for some time on the world stage, with many manufacturers pulling their presence over the past few years. But with this show slated to see world debuts of the aforementioned MX-5, the new Vauxhall Corsa, and the Land Rover Freelander successor, its profile could rise dramatically.
[Sources: WhatCar?; Mazda]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John B 2:11PM (4/21/2006)
While waiting for my wife's Mazda3 to be serviced a few months ago, I was discussing the MX-5 with the sales manager. He mentioned then that Mazda would be introducing the folding hardtop in a couple of years.
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zverg 2:24PM (4/21/2006)
omg what? I hope it doesn't throw off the weight balance.
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Lee Gibson 2:50PM (4/21/2006)
Whatever for? The cloth top is superb, and you can operate it with one hand.
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mp 4:28PM (4/21/2006)
2700.00 to 3600.00 more!!!, Sorry, but no MX-5 would ever be worth that price.
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rem83 4:33PM (4/21/2006)
so i'd have to pay $2700 to $3600 for a weight penalty... this seems to go against the design philosophy of the mx-5, which imo weighs too much already.
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WillDaThrill 6:54PM (4/21/2006)
Lee,
Cloth tops don't last long, besides it adds more security.....althought it'll be a heavy SOB.
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JIm 10:57PM (4/21/2006)
Most everyone reading this blog could be classed as an enthusiast. As such the center of gravity, weight, etc. are important. The other 99% of the market could care less. The canvas top is as dead as the DoDo bird.
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vaggeli 11:53PM (4/21/2006)
this seems very strange to me, there was a folding hard top mx-5 at the brisbane motor show here in australia like 2 months ago, it wasnt even up on a pedestal or anything, they were letting people into it and the sales rep kept showing off the folding roof. it looked very hot. the folding roof was almost identical to the one from the holden tigra, but with a more upright rear glass which was recessed into the rear of the roof, with it overhanging a bit, it looked ridiculously cool. and it was orange :D. maybe this was an aftermarket conversion, but it was on the mazda stand and with an electric folding roof it looked pretty legit
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Kef27 7:38PM (6/19/2006)
Vaggeli - do you have any photos/etc, or know of any? I've been waiting to get a look at the car for a while, but no one has seen one. I'd love to get a look at what you saw
FYI - dealers have placed orders for the new hard top, but they don't have any new info on it - weight penalty, manual vs. electric, etc.
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