That'll give it more torsional rigidity, thus allowing the possibility of a higher powered version that doesn't fold in half when you arrive at the first corner.

There would even be the possibility of some space behind the seats to chuck a gym bag / little children, since the folding roof assembly won't be needed.

Besides, almost every gen-1 MX-5 I've seen in Malaysia has a bolt-on roof. I'm sure the MX-5 makes sense in markets where to walk under the sun is considered cool.

But in markets like ours, a fold-down roof is totally irrelevant ~ unless you're one of those posers in Sri Hartamas/Jalan P Ramlee/Bangsar who drive their BMW Z4s with the roof down at night.

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August 5, 2009 @ 10:04 pm

Dude where’s the downforce on this thing? If it’s still a front engined rear wheel drive, it would need it. To make it light, it looks like its gone all 6061 Alu.

But what a lot of people look forward to is a more ‘ahem’ man-ly MX-5. Right now, that show car looks ‘cute’ and would appeal to the alternative livestyle market. Not track day market.

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I seriously disagree on "not a track day market" comment. I have seen fleets of these used by race schools and 1make cup races. In fact I've done some track time on a lightly spec'ed cup car.

The MX5 has single handledly revived the roadster market, first by making it FUN and CHEAP. The sole essence of a roadster. The SLK/Z3/Z4/Boxters owes its existance on the MX5.

Sure it doen't look like a manly car but I wont mind driving one. The reason why it is FUN is because it doesn't have an absurdly amount of grip or power. Originaly shod with rather tiny tyres, these can be made to dance around a track. Stuffing too much downforce, too much power and too fat tyres kills the feeling of lightness that you would from the original MX5.

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But what a lot of people look forward to is a more 'ahem' man-ly MX-5. Right now, that show car looks 'cute' and would appeal to the alternative livestyle market. Not track day market.

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