Is Mazda Going to Tell the Miata to Put Its Top Back On?

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Mazda is teasing a new model reveal for next week’s New York Auto Show, and it could be a MX-5 Miata with more shade.

The invitation to the model’s world premiere later this month asks participants to help Mazda “blow the lid off.” Hmm, let’s think about that one for a minute …

The previous generation MX-5 Miata was available in power retractable hardtop form, but that option died in 2015 when the fourth-generation launched in soft-top guise only.

Reintroducing the hardtop to the stable only seems natural, but there’s good reason to believe this hardtop won’t simply operate in “up” or “down” mode.

Mazda has stated previously that a new hardtop would have a lighter and more compact mechanism, while an unconfirmed report of a targa-like top stated it roof will have the ability to be operated while the car is in motion. That could certainly differentiate this MX-5 from its predecessors. It would also prevent the vehicle from being burdened with any excess weight that could offend Miata purists, while likely freeing up more interior and trunk room than the previous hardtop.

For what remains a niche vehicle, the 2016 Miata has posted impressive sales numbers since it began driving off dealer lots last summer. It follows that a new hardtop would broaden the model’s appeal, while allowing Mazda to make a splash two years in a row in New York.

[Sources: Autocar, Wheels] [Image: 2016 MX-5 Miata, © 2015 Alex L. Dykes/ The Truth About Cars]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

More by Steph Willems

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 39 comments
  • Kato Kato on Mar 15, 2016

    Hopefully they will offer both soft and hard tops with multiple trim options. I recall pricing out a soft-top NC a while back and discovering that I could only get leather seats if I bought the PRHT, which I had no interest in. Bought a low-mileage S2000 instead. Why add weight, complexity and cost to the closest thing to an elemental roadster currently on the market? I'll add another vote for the Miata-GT option, bet they would sell boat-loads of them.

  • Voyager Voyager on Mar 16, 2016

    Aussie rumor has it that it's gonna be a Porsche 911 targa like removable contraption. Not the 991 one, but more like the 930 in the 80's.

  • Seanx37 Seanx37 on Mar 16, 2016

    Another 50 hp would be better. And quite easy to get out of that 2 liter

  • Jerseydevil200 Jerseydevil200 on Mar 17, 2016

    I like targas. I LOVED my X1/9, was unhappy that I was unable to buy a Solstice. The MX5 needs a hardtop for me because I live in the middle of Philadelphia, and the car would have to live on the street. Also, BRG with tan is the only color combination I would hae.

Next