Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe (2006) CAR review

Finally, a folding tin top that looks great and isn’t a Mercedes.

Amen to that. Although the MX-5 is in a market of about one now that the MR2, Smart Roadster and MGF have vacated the two-seater arena, Mazda reckons that loads of potential buyers have been put off by the conventional soft hood. The Roadster Coupe doesn’t replace the existing soft-roofed MX-5, it just adds width to the range.

Looks great but there’s probably not enough room for a toothpick with the roof stowed.

Not so. You see the Mazda designed the third generation from the beginning to have the option of a folding tin top. So the Roadster Coupe’s roof folds into exactly the same compartment as the regular soft top and is the only one in the world that doesn’t intrude into the boot. The fact that the roof is so short compared to that of a saloon-based folding hardtop like the 206CC certainly helped Mazda but you can expect rival carmakers to be taking a close look at the Mazda’s packaging.