Mazda MX-5 Miata Roadster Coupe – full details

from Automotive (1639 articles)

A-

A+

Page: 1 2 3 4 5

Mazda MX-5 Miata Roadster Coupe – full details

Click image to enlarge

Image Gallery ( 11 images )

Roof-opening and roof-closing operations each take only 12 seconds (the shortest time taken by any electrically retractable hard top on the market today), so the user can open or close the roof without a long interruption in driving enjoyment. But the Power Retractable Hard Top’s operation is not merely fast; a moment of relatively slow movement at the beginning and ending of each roof-opening or roof-closing operation promotes the user’s sense that the operation has been completed reliably and safely.

In pursuit of operation with a natural look and feel, evaluation clinics were conducted with people of various age groups. Compared with other electric-roof-equipped cars, the MX-5 Roadster Coupe scored consistently highly in terms of roof-opening and roof-closing speeds, in terms of the ease with which users can verify completion of roof-opening and roof-closing operations, and in terms of users’ confidence that the roof would neither pinch nor hit them during opening and closing movements.

To give users even greater confidence, the Power Retractable Hard Top has failsafe functions that prevent unintended roof movements while the car is moving. The electronic control unit that governs roof-opening and roof-closing operations provides these functions by interacting with the powertrain control module, keyless entry controller, and other electronic control units and systems and by functioning in accordance with data from sensors located around the car. Reliability also contributes to peace of mind for users. Exhaustive durability tests in diverse temperature conditions helped to ensure ample reliability for frequent operation of the Power Retractable Hard Top.

A wind-in-the-hair open-top motoring experience without much turbulence in the cabin is one of the most popular attributes of the MX-5 soft-top model. To deliver the same experience in the MX-5 Roadster Coupe, the aero board differs from that of the soft-top model because of the different rear deck design.

The front edge of the rear deck (immediately behind the seats) is 40mm higher than that of the soft-top model, so the aero board is supplemented by an air guide that directs forward-flowing air upward so users don’t suffer an uncomfortable flow of air against the back of the neck. Consequently, wind control during open-top driving is every bit as effective as that of the soft-top model.

With the roof closed, exterior noise is effectively kept out of the cabin even during high-speed driving. The superior quietness helps to realize a refined, composed ride befitting a premium model. At the same time, though, the great sports-car engine sound that enhances the enjoyment of the MX-5 driving experience is uncompromised.

The model name differs from market to market. In Europe and Australia, it is ‘Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe’. In North America, it is ‘Mazda MX-5 (Miata) Power Retractable Hard Top’. And in Japan, it is ‘Mazda Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top’.

Page: 1 2 3 4 5