The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe
Published: 6th September 2006
Mazda MX-5
Design - Its Own Unique Character
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.
Mazda MX-5
Our Mazda MX-5 Guide lists the full specification of the current UK MX-5 range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £15,750 - £19,050
Body Style:
Fuel:
Models in the range: 3
We have road tested the Mazda MX-5, to read our in-depth car reviews:
Mazda MX-5 Review - Nov 2005
Mazda MX-5 Review - Mar 2004
Mazda MX-5 Review - Oct 2003
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 6th July 2008
