The multi-frame concept is light- weight with high impact resistance that directs impact energy in multiple directions away from the cabin - during front or offset impact - and protects the battery in a side impact. The concept also ensures suspension rigidity with frames that are linked to the front and rear points of the lower suspension arms and the centre points of the suspension towers in a three-dimensional arrangement. This multi-frame body shell concept is combined with virtual B- pillars (one inside each sliding door) and rollover C-pillars (located at the rear of the cabin) to ensure high overall body rigidity despite the large openings in the sides and rear of the body.
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe - Open Top Fun, Coupe Convenience
- Roof operation takes just 12 seconds (the quickest on the market today) - Boot volume of 150 litres is unaffected by roof stowage - Mazda's first application in Europe of an audio system adaptor with iPod*-compatibility
The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe is a brand-new counterpart to the third-generation MX-5, which was launched last year. It has the same responsive performance and emotive styling as the soft-top model. But at the same time, it's equipped with a unique power retractable hard top - the first roadster ever with an electrically retractable hard top that doesn't sacrifice any boot space. The third-generation MX-5 embodies Mazda's belief that the MX-5 experience should centre on driving enjoyment. Mazda´s dedication to Jinba Ittai - an intimate driver-car relationship that can be likened to the synergy of a rider and horse moving as one.
* iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Since its launch in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 has been a smash-hit product around the world. It's so popular that it holds a place in the Guinness world records as the world's top-selling light- weight, open, two-seater sports car, and it has won over 150 industry awards around the globe. Demand is as strong as ever and by the end of June 2006, cumulative production stood at 774,372 units.
Jinba Ittai and the MX-5 Fun Factor Since its debut in first-generation form, the MX-5 has been distinguished by an incomparably high fun factor. The MX-5 is lots of fun because its Jinba Ittai-focused dynamics give the driver the fun of feeling fully in command of the car and the fun of an open-top driving experience in which the driver feels in touch with his or her surroundings and can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
The MX-5 Roadster Coupe: What, Why, and How?
The goal with the MX-5 Roadster Coupe was to further heighten the fun of the third-generation MX-5 open-top driving experience by incorporating a hard top equipped with a user-friendly open/close system. Delivering an undiluted Jinba Ittai experience together with the unique benefits of the power retractable hard top in a car that's truly fun to drive, fun to own, and fun to use meant overcoming numerous technical challenges. Although adopting the power retractable hard top made more weight unavoidable, the overall weight increase was kept as small as possible (37 kg more) by steps taken to minimize component weight and reinforce the body for ample stiffness without greatly increasing the weight.
Further, the MX-5 Roadster Coupe is equally as compact as the soft-top model. An increase over the soft-top model of 10 mm in the overall height with the roof closed is the only dimensio- nal difference. The combination of lightness and compactness contributes to lively, linear performance that's manifested in the form of satisfyingly brisk response to the accelerator pedal. And since the roof - a relatively heavy item - retracts within the wheelbase, it does not detract from the weight distribution and yaw-inertia moment that help to make the third-generation MX-5 handle so well.
The body opening used to accommodate the retracted roof is bigger than the corresponding opening in the soft-top model. Making the opening larger compromised body stiffness, so to compensate, the rear of the body has newly specified reinfor- cements, which are all designed to add the greatest possible structural strength with the smallest possible weight penalty. Overall body stiffness is on a par with that of the soft-top model.
