Love the bionic clown shoe! Not enough interest in a hard top version for Mazda to tool one up. They will more than likely have a power folding hard top version in the mix, those will sell.
Yup the old bionic clown shoe, but now he has a pair. http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/member-garages/8698-bionic-clown-shoe-2001-bmw-m-coupe.html#axzz3CMRUJXKn
The hard top Z3 is exactly why I doubt Mazda would do a hardtop hatch. It was a love or hate it reaction for BMW, and I think Mazda only is going for the love it crowd. I would love to see removable hardtop option for the new Miata though, the retractable one is too heavy, unless they've got more magic up their sleeve.
I'd guess there will be a removable hard top & a folding top version. There is now & I'd bet they'd sell more than a few of them. Mazda is a small company & can't afford to build a car that won't sell well. The new MX5 was a collaboration with with Alfa/Fiat to save them money.
I always kinda liked the bionic clown shoe!! Its just different, that kinda appeals to me. The Mini is kinda different, I liked that a lot.
One of the things I admire most about Mazda is the amount of involvement in motorsports and what they are able to achieve for such a small company, ZOOM ZOOM.
Hasn't stopped MINI from still making the coupe/roadster and Paceman. :lol: Make it a limited edition model and charge a premium for it (maybe even use the Porsche model of stripping it of all but the bare options and charging a premium) and I would bet that they could make a profit.
There are a few official specs avail over at Jalopnik and I suspect they'll update as they find more...though it may be a while before there's anything more other than speculation. Full press release in the comments. These Are The First Official Specs Of The 2016 Mazda Miata
BMW can afford to do stupid stuff, lots of folks are willing to buy whatever BMW/MINI puts out. Mazda can't afford to make a mistake. Looking closely at the pictures of the new MX5 I don't see the classic hard top attachment points on the rear deck. Looks like the third brake light would interfere too. That being said I bet there's a hard top coming along.
Wonder if they will bump up the HP to BRZ numbers of 200 or alittle better!!! Currently at 167 or something like that... I wish they would but doubt they will jump it 30-35 hp..
Actually if the weight is 2200 pounds and they have 180 something hp and 180 something ft pounds of torque that our new 3 SGT has, the MX5 will leave the heavier and less torqued BRZ watching the Mazda dissapear into the distance.... Of course that is a lot of if... Lol PS: Doesn't the BRZ only have about 130 ft-lbs of torque off the showroom floor, less than even the smaller 2.0 Skyactive's 150?
I had two NBs and liked them both. I like this new one very much and it will get my attention when it becomes available.