Car And GPS (1858)

Mazda unveils MX-5 Roadster Coupe at British Motor Show

First to come with new power retractable hard top roof

19 July 2006 1:20 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Mazda has unveiled a new version of its popular MX-5 sports car at the British Motor Show in London.

The new model, which is the third in the series and comes as a surprise to most dealers, features a new power retractable hard top roof.

The new roof, which according to Mazda retracts in under 12 seconds, is the only major change to the vehicle which will be called the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe in the UK and Europe.

Mazda is promising that those worried about the new hard top taking up valuable boot space shouldn't be as the roof retracts in three sections into a space behind the seats, leaving the boot completely unaffected.

It is though that the creation of the hard top version is to allow Mazda to complete directly against Peugeot's 206 CC.