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2007 Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop Preview

Mazdas Little Roadster Ready For Four Seasons

In a rather unexpected move, Mazda recently announced that it will be introducing a retractable hardtop convertible roof to its archetypal sports car, the MX-5 roadster. We say unexpected, as Mazda has always been about keeping the car as lightweight and pure as possible. In fact, with the current generation MX-5, keeping things light was one of the first priorities of the design, which involved the widespread use of aluminum and lightweight plastics in order to balance

Notice something different? Theres a hard top on that MX-5. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

out the premium equipment and enhanced safety structure which the new car features.

The notion of paring weight is the reason that Mazda shied away from using a power-folding soft-top on the newest MX-5, or any previous MX-5 for that matter.

Though the MX-5 is a capable all year round vehicle, most owners find the prospect of putting on a hardtop difficult, hence the prospect of a built-in unit.? (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

The extra heft from the electric roof mechanisms was deemed too great a burden to bear, considering that the redesigned Z-Roof system was easy and fast enough to operate manually. Yet its not just the roof of the new MX-5 that reaches entirely new levels of user-friendliness;

Everyone else is doing it, so why not Mazda? (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

although its as pure as production roadsters come, with available features such as heated seats and traction control, Mazda has effectively turned the MX-5 into a four-season candidate. To make it even more accommodating in the colder months, the MX-5 is also available with a "winter" hardtop option, but its a large, cumbersome thing that usually requires the help of a friend to put on or take off.

Therefore, Mazdas solution is to follow

Small roof aperture allows for tiny and light roof. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volkswagen, Volvo, Pontiac and some other manufacturers, by going the way of the folding hardtop. This of course, is the surprising bit: for a company that previously wouldnt even offer an optional power soft-top to its sportiest of sports cars, why compromise overall performance by adding electric motors, additional wiring harnesses and solid panels now?

This being an MX-5, the folding roof mechanism on the Power Retractable Hardtop model isnt your typical offering. The cabins

A natural candidate. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

small dimensions allowed Mazda to incorporate a two-piece roof, as opposed to the more common three-piece unit, plus its extremely lightweight material - most likely fiberglass, or a composite plastic; Mazda didnt say - keeps the weight down. As the roof itself is neither heavy nor large, Mazda was able to use four, small, lightweight motors, further saving weight. Two motors are used in the operation of the roof, while the other two raise and lower the tonneau cover.

Compared to some retractable hardtop models that weigh upwards of 350 lbs more than their regular coupe equivalents, the difference between the soft-top

The tonneau cover is about 1.57 inches taller than on the standard car. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

and the hard-top MX-5 is just 81.5 lbs, which makes it the featherweight of retractable hardtop roadsters. Like the soft-top version, the MX-5 also holds the title of quickest retractable roof, albeit in hardtop convertibles. The size and design of the roof mean that it can be dropped in just twelve seconds, which is quicker than most regular soft-top convertibles!
As the MX-5 was designed from the very beginning to be a convertible, the conversion to adapt the Power Retractable Hardtop model didnt require any structural changes. In fact, aside from the new roof and its various components, the only difference is a taller, body-colored hard tonneau cover, which shields the roof mechanisms

Aside from a new button on the console, and a different rear cockpit fairing, theres not much difference inside here. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

from dust, dirt, leaves and other would-be villains when retracted. Overall, the tonneau cover sits 1.57 inches above the soft-top model, while the trailing edge of the decklid has been lifted by 0.78 inches for a softer visual flow and to reduce aerodynamic turbulence inside the cabin. When the roof is in its upright position, the MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop is 0.4 inches taller than the standard version. Other visual differences include a new, clear-lens high-mounted stop lamp, thinner in design than the one on the soft-top model.

Also amazing is the fact that the entire roof unit fits into the same compact space as the current soft-top, leaving the standard 5.3 cu-ft trunk untouched. Because the folding hardtop does have a slightly larger aperture to its cargo bay,

Sun and shelter for a truly pure sports car. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

the structural rigidity of the vehicle did go down, although, through additional bracing at the rear of the body, Mazda restored the rigidity to levels equal to that of the original soft top.

Inside, there are only a couple of minor changes, aside from what would be a much quieter cabin. At the top of the center console Mazda has added a switch for operating the power roof, plus a roof indicator light. The rear trim around the back of the cabin is also different than that in the soft-top model. Although the built-in flip-up wind deflector is still present, the latch mechanism to raise the soft-top, as well as the storage bins, have been removed to create room for the new roof.

While Mazda has yet to announce pricing for the upcoming MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop model, expect to pay roughly $2,000 more, a premium that most should find well worth the added convenience.

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