2017 Mazda MX-5 Retractable Fastback Revealed

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 5:59 pm

Nevyn72 wrote:
KevGoat wrote:
project.r.racing wrote:Add 3L/100km on top of the normal fuel economy when the targa roof is down and the back acts like a massive parachute anchor.

The back window can apparently be folded as well, so that would reduce that problem a bit.

Actually there's no choice, the roof section and rear window fold down as an integrated mechanism.

It also operates at up to 10km/h from the factory!

didn't know glass went down. yes that'll make a huge difference.

greenMachine · Postby **greenMachine** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:32 pm

Weight? Weight up high? Hmm, I wonder how Mazda has handled that ...

Be interested in the first drives, and whether it drives any differently than a 2l softtop.

The racers can just throw away the motors and mechanisms, and bolt it in the up position. Though I am not aware of any did that to an NC, it may have been because there were CF hardtops available.

What's that? You say someone is making a CF hardtop in this shape? Whodathoughtit!

:mrgreen:

Dan · Postby **Dan** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:48 pm

Wow, I love it!

Good to see Mazda has the balls to do something a bit different rather than just making anouther PRHT which copies the soft top shape.

^ Racers will take a soft top car, gut the roof mechanisms and use one of these I think but swap the glass out since that is heavy http://rev9autosport.com/blog/first-201 ... -in-japan/

If a viable engine swap comes up like the 2.5 was on the NC racers will probably start using cheap 1.5's from Japan as a base and swapping everything in.

Hopefully someone copies this new tops shape and releases it as a RHT to chuck on the soft top car (maybe with more swoop on the rear window though).

Maybe if the regs won't let you put an aftermarket hardtop though stripping out the mechanism and leaving this one on might be the move but the base car cost will likely be higher.

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project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:21 pm

If a hardtop is available. The RF well becomes useless to the motorsporters and moreso aimed at the middle ages ladies and male hairdressers.

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:35 pm

Aw Mazda, just put a 2.5l in it, call it the GTRF and shut everybody up!

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:40 pm

Folks this is a production sports car aimed at a sector in the market for people who want a sporty car and an ability to experience a top down experience. Purists don't drive MX-5s they drive Caterhams or Morgans and those guys would probably consider any MX-5 as a bit sissy. I think this is going to work a treat for Mazda- it looks really stylish and its going to be more secure than just a rag top.

Vat · Postby **Vat** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:02 pm

I was a bit unfussed by the photos but having seen video of it, I think it's actually really attractive.

If they can keep the premium over the 'soft' top reasonable, get ready to see a lot of these.

speed · Postby **speed** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 7:29 am

Mr Morlock wrote: Purists don't drive MX-5s they drive Caterhams or Morgans and those guys would probably consider any MX-5 as a bit sissy.

Um, what about all the people on this forum that tripple their cars output.
Also, are you saying that the racers are not purists?

speed · Postby **speed** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 7:31 am

Nevyn72 wrote:
KevGoat wrote:
project.r.racing wrote:Add 3L/100km on top of the normal fuel economy when the targa roof is down and the back acts like a massive parachute anchor.

The back window can apparently be folded as well, so that would reduce that problem a bit.

Actually there's no choice, the roof section and rear window fold down as an integrated mechanism.

It also operates at up to 10km/h from the factory!

I read that too. Do we know for a fact that you can't wind the back window down with the roof on aka crx?

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 7:40 am

speed wrote:
Mr Morlock wrote: Purists don't drive MX-5s they drive Caterhams or Morgans and those guys would probably consider any MX-5 as a bit sissy.

Um, what about all the people on this forum that tripple their cars output.
Also, are you saying that the racers are not purists?

No one mentioned "purists." They mentioned "MX5 Purists." Him going outside of the MX5 World doesn't make sense as the discussion is about MX5 drivers and owners.

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:00 am

I quite like the look of it - but I'm just not sure that a targa top really gives that open roof motoring experience. I like the feeling of having nothing behind me at all.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 10:09 am

Mr Morlock wrote:Purists don't drive MX-5s they drive Caterhams or Morgans and those guys would probably consider any MX-5 as a bit sissy.

Actually, many Lotus 7 style clubman owners also have an MX5.

Smacca · Postby **Smacca** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 10:59 am

At first I liked the concept and I predict it will sell quite well - I'll be interested to see the roadster/RF sales ratio in a few years.

And then I saw its design from the rear. Hmm... not so sure I like it now.

Personally I would have liked a traditional fixed-roof coupe alongside the roadster, but I agree that would put the MX-5 directly in completion alongside the 86 and we all know how Mazda likes to strategically keep the MX-5 in a segment all to itself.