Mazda today announced that it will debut the much-rumored folding hardtop version of the MX-5 at the British Motor Show and released the first teaser images roadster variant. The new version of the MX-5 features a hard top, which unlike the manually operated canvas-top version, is power operated.

The new MX-5 will be known as the Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top in North America and Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe in Europe.

While we wonder why Mazda would go through all the engineering expense for its lightweight roadster, the affordable roadster market has goteen more competitive including the new Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Opel GT.

The MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top model is rumored to cost $2,000 to $3,000 over the base canvas-top MX-5’s price tag and is expected to weigh less than 100 pounds.

The MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top makes its global debut July 18 at the 2006 British International Motor Show in London. The car goes on sale at the end of the summer in the U.S.

Full press release and more images after the jump.

## Source: Mazda ##

OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM MAZDA
Mazda to Exhibit New Mazda MX-5 with Power Retractable Hard Top at the British International Motor Show

IRVINE, Calif. — Mazda Motor Corporation will make the global debut of the Mazda MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top at the 2006 British International Motor Show in London, England. Since its launch in 1990, and with subsequent generations launched in 1999 and 2006, MX-5 Miata has always been available with an optional removable hardtop, but this is the first time the car will be available with a power-operated retractable hard top.

The British International Motor Show will be held in London from Tuesday, July 18, through Sunday, July 30, 2006.

Featuring a new, unique power retractable hard top roof, this is an all-new addition to the third-generation Mazda MX-5 which launched in late 2005 as a 2006 model. This new Mazda MX-5 provides a unified sense of driving exhilaration, ready to spread the fun of lightweight sports cars in diverse and distinct new ways, regardless of the weather.

“Jinba Ittai” — or ‘rider and horse as one’ is the essence of Mazda MX-5, the expression reflecting the emotional connection between a horse and rider.

Along with the global debut of the MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top, the Mazda Sassou and Kabura concept vehicles will also be shown.

Mazda will hold a press conference on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 11:45 a.m. (British Summer Time).

Mazda MX-5 with a power retractable hard top roof will be known by different names around the world:

North America: Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top
Europe: Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe
Japan: Mazda Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top

Posted in: Mazda, British Motor Show, Roadsters
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