MAZDA NEWSROOM｜ Mazda Launches 'Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top'

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Aug. 23, 2006

Products and Technology

Mazda Launches 'Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top'
-The world's first* lightweight open-top sports car with a power retractable roof that doesn't sacrifice trunk space-

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced it has added the Power Retractable Hard Top (known as Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe in Europe and Mazda MX-5 (Miata) Power Retractable Hard Top in North America) model to its Roadster lineup that was fully remodeled last year. It features a groundbreaking electric roof system that doesn't reduce trunk space at all, and it goes on sale nationwide at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers from today.

Mazda Roadster VS Power Retractable Hard Top (Premium Package model)

The Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top that carries Mazda's unique power retractable roof system steps in as the top-of-the-range model of the third-generation Roadster that was launched in August 2005. The Roadster has won more than 30 awards around the world including the 2005-2006 Japan Car of the Year accolade, earning itself an international reputation.

The Mazda Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top provides both a high level of comfort for an open-top sports car and the traditional Roadster"Jinba Ittai" ("Rider and horse as one") driving pleasure at the same time. The light-weight hard top has a simple one-touch open/close electric control, and boasts an unprecedented* mechanism which folds the roof away into the same space behind the seats and inside the wheelbase that the soft-top model requires. Being a Roadster, it is of course imbued with the "Jinba Ittai" dynamic performance, and while still being instantly recognizable, it has a new upmarket design that improves the "proud-to-be-seen-in" quality of the "fun" Roadster.

Takao Kijima, Program Manager for the Roadster said, "'Jinba Ittai' or 'heart-to-heart communication between a rider and a horse' represents the quintessence of the Roadster that Mazda has pursued since it developed the first model in 1989. With the Power Retractable Hard Top model, the driver and the vehicle can interact with each other as if having a conversation. This stylish and 'Lots of Fun' vehicle allows us to really feel the joy of 'Jinba Ittai'. As a product of Mazda's unique approach, I hope the Roadster Retractable Hard Top will allow more and more people to experience the 'fun' in all aspects of their daily life."

Main features of the Mazda Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT)
1) Fun to drive:The Roadster's enduring characteristic - "Jinba Ittai" ("Rider and horse as one")

- The design of the lightweight compact roof makes allowances for the expanded aperture necessary for a power retractable roof, minimizes the weight increase while ensuring durability, and maintains the same small, lightweight, highly-rigid body as the soft-top; the key to achieving "Jinba Ittai".
- The roof is installed in the space behind the seats near the vehicle's center-of-gravity, maintaining the 50:50 weight distribution. Also, it keeps a low yaw inertia moment that is important for a lightweight sports car feel.
- The suspension system is optimized to suit the characteristics of the model - such as the rigid body - maintaining the same "Jinba Ittai" performance as the soft top.

2) Fun to own:Easily identifiable at a glance

- Some aspects of the styling are inherited from the first generation model, such as the side silhouette with a low, flowing shoulder line.
- When the roof is closed it displays a stylish compact cabin with a tightened, elegant line.
- A newly designed rear deck and a bolder rear fender optimize the visual balance of the styling.
- Chrome exterior parts add a sense of high quality to the Roadster's sporty appeal.

3) Fun to use:A pleasant open-top driving experience

- It is the first power retractable roof system in the world* that doesn't reduce trunk size, stowing the roof behind the seats inside the wheelbase. In addition, it boasts the world's fastest roof operation* - only 12 seconds.
- The roof system gives a sense of safety and reliability that everyone will find easy to operate. Wind noise has been successfully curtailed when driving with the roof closed, and the premium model has been endowed with an appropriately pleasant and fine quality interior.
- The aero board that has been optimized to match the new rear deck shape helps to provide the same fun open-top performance as the soft-top model.

Body colors
There is a choice of six colors, including the new Stormy Blue Mica and existing Copper Red, True Red, Galaxy Gray Mica, Sunlight Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black.

Package options
The Premium Package is available to maximize the superior quality, and its key feature is 17-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels that have the beautiful radiance of a Japanese sword. This package is available on the RS RHT and VS RHT (6-speed Activematic transmission) models.

* As of June 2006, surveyed by Mazda (in the roadster segment)

Manufacturer's suggested retail prices

Model	Engine	Drive	Transmission	Price (yen)
Model	Engine	Drive	Transmission	With tax	Without tax
ROADSTER RHT	2.0-liter DOHC	2WD(RWD)	5MT	2,400,000	2,285,714
ROADSTER RHT			6AT	2,500,000	2,380,952
RS RHT			6MT	2,700,000	2,571,429
VS RHT			6MT	2,700,000	2,571,429
VS RHT			6AT	2,800,000	2,666,667

-	A separate recycling fee of 10,600 yen is necessary in addition to the manufacturer's suggested retail prices listed above. (For the SRS side airbag system (available as a factory-installed option) the fee is 10,910 yen).
-	For the Premium Package, the price increases by 140,000 yen (with tax), (133,333 yen without tax).
Note:	The "RHT" is a model name used only in Japan; Mazda does not use this abbreviation in the US market.

Major Specifications for Mazda Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top (RHT)

Specifications/ grade	Body type	2-door, open-top
	Roof type	Power Retractable Hard Top
	Grade	ROADSTER RHT		RS RHT	VS RHT
	Engine	2000DOHC
	Transmission	5-speed manual	Electronically- controlled 6- speed Activematic	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	Electronically- controlled 6- speed Activematic
Model/type		Mazda CBA-NCEC
Dimensions	Overall length x Overall width x Overall height	3995mmx1720mmx1255mm
	Wheelbase	2330mm
	Track (front/rear)	1490mm/1495mm
Weight		1130kg	1140kg	1140kg	1130kg	1140kg
Seating capacity		2
Engine	Model	LF-VE
	Type	Water-cooled In-line four cylinder DOHC 16-valve
	Displacement	1998cc
	Maximum output	125kW(170PS)/6700rpm (manual transmission) 122kW(166PS)/ 6700rpm (Activematic transmission)
	Maximum torque	189Nm (19.3kg-m)/5000rpm
	Bore and stroke	87.5mmx83.1mm
Steering	Type	Rack & Pinion
Suspension	Type (front/rear)	Double wishbone / Multilink
Brake (front/rear)		Ventilated disc / Solid disc
Tire (front/rear)		205/50R16 87V		205/45R17 84W	205/50R16 87V^†
Wheels		16x6 1/2J		17x7J^†	16x6 1/2J^†
10-15 mode fuel economy (MLIT)		13.4km/liter	11.8km/liter	13.0km/liter	13.0km/liter	11.8km/liter

†	When the Premium Package is selected as a factory-installed set option, 17-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels and 205/45R17 84W tires are installed.

More information about the Mazda Roadster Retractable Hard Top is available at:
http://www.roadster.mazda.co.jp/ (Japanese only)

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