Mazda MX-5 coupe not likely, has to be open-top

Although the recently unveiled Mazda MX-5 RF was shown with a hard-top, that still doesn’t make it a coupe like the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. But will there ever be an MX-5 coupe? Not likely, CarAdvice reports.

Project leader Nobuhiro Yamamoto was asked in New York about the possibility of an MX-5 coupe. “I think MX-5 is going to be open roof, always has to have an open roof, of course we can think of many different things. But our thinking, MX-5 has to be an open car,” he said.

When asked if a coupe based on the MX-5 architecture but with a different name like an “MX-6” could be a possibility, Yamamoto said no. “It is interesting. But I don’t think so. We have no intention of making spinoffs,” the project leader disclosed.

Yamamoto also revealed that there are no plans to tweak the naturally-aspirated 158 hp/200 Nm 2.0 litre SkyActiv-G engine, drop in a turbo or offer a larger engine in the near future. “We are not in pursuit of absolute power. There is no turbo without lag,” Yamamoto quipped.

As a refresher, the MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) made its debut in New York recently, with a coupe-like outline thanks to the new C-pillar. Another key feature that the roadster had was the hard-top targa roof, which could be stowed away and go back up at the push of a button and at speeds of up to 10 km/h.

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