To preserve the MX-5′s fun-loving spirit and love of weekend getaways, the new power retractable hard top (PRHT) performs what seems like a magic trick: disappearing on cue when the ‘open’ button is pressed. The MX-5′s trunk provides a just-right 5.3cu.ft. of capacity whether the roof is hard or soft, stowed or overhead.

To achieve this breakthrough in hard-top convertible design, the MX-5 PRHT’s roof consists of three major parts-a front section, a middle section, and the rear window-which hinge and move to nest atop one another in exactly the same space as the soft top.

The two roof sections fold like a clamshell: the window separates from the middle section and moves forward to the in-between space. And, rather than consuming interior or trunk room, the folded roof descends into the same storage well located above the rear axle and the fuel tank where the soft top would have resided. A deck cover mates with the top in the closed mode and shrouds the folded top from view in the open mode.

An easy to open/close center locking handle secures the PRHT to the windshield frame. Two buttons positioned at the top center of the MX-5′s instrument cluster command the opening and closing operations. Opening and closing takes just 12sec. making it one of the fasting power-operated retractable hard-top in the U.S. An indicator lamp and warning beeps advise you when the operation is complete.

To keep the PRHT both light and compact, it’s constructed of advanced high-strength materials. The front and middle section exterior panels are made of sheet molded compound. Interior panels are glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene. The assembled panels are barely 3/4in. thick yet they provide an attractive appearance and do an excellent job of blocking wind and road noise. The rear window is glass imprinted with an electric defroster grid.

To maintain important body rigidity with an opening that’s 1.8in. wider, and 3.2in. longer than the soft-top aperture, material thickness of the body panels surrounding the opening have been increased and two corner-reinforcing brackets have been added. Closed-section reinforcements also extend from the rear deck along the outer edges of the top storage well. The deck lid changes from aluminum in the soft-top model to steel for the PRHT to accommodate contours added for an attractive appearance. Altogether, the net weight increase over the soft-top model is only approximately 80lbs., quite reasonable considering the benefits mentioned above. The body rigidity felt the soft-top model with barely any cowl shake when traveling over poorly paved road surfaces.

Minor suspension adjustments were in order to maintain the quick steering response and predictable handling expected of the MX-5. Dampers are set firmer, rear spring rates are higher for the extra weight carried in the rear and the front anti-roll bar has been increased to 0.87 from 0.83in. in diameter.

Like the soft-top MX-5, the PRHT edition has a wind deflector to block cockpit drafts. A 1.3in. high air guide runs the full width of the deflector to reduce the energy of the back draft impinging the driver and passenger. With the top up, the interior noise level with the PRHT is reduced in comparison with the soft-top MX-5.

Design changes to accommodate the PRHT are slight. To integrate the appearance of the deck cover, an accent crease flows from each door over and around the width of the panel. Longitudinal contours molded into the outer edges of the two roof sections add tension at the top of the car. The rear window is larger than the soft-top’s for a more balanced look. Overall height is only 0.39in. great than the soft-top MX-5.

MX-5 PRHT models wear a fine chrome ring around the grille opening, bright bezels inside the headlamps and a chrome band in each door handle. In the rear is a white-lens high mounted stop lamp.

The all-new Mazda MX-5 PRHT is a more sophisticated two-seat roadster for owners who prize top-down driving fun but also want the poise and security of a hard roof over their heads during inclement weather. It’s the best of both world’s-wind-in-the-hair driving joy plus peace of mind-at the touch of a button and priced at just $26,360.00 for the base grand touring model and $29,135.00 for a nicely loaded edition that I tested and really enjoyed.

ALL NEW 2007 MAZDA MX-5 HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE
“MAZDA MX-5 GOES FOUR SEASONS”

COPYRIGHT:2007:HARVEY SCHWARTZ – EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS

Price MSRP: $26,520 Invoice: $24,488

Type: Compact Convertible
Where Built: Japan
EPA Class: Two Seaters

Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 157.3 in.	Width: 67.7 in.
Height: 49.4 in.	Wheel Base: 91.7 in.
Ground Clearance: 4.6 in.	Curb Weight: 2573 lbs.
Gross Weight: 3122 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 37 in.	Front Hip Room: 50.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 53.2 in.	Front Leg Room: 43.1 in.
Luggage Capacity: 5.3 cu. ft.	Maximum Cargo Capacity: 5 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 2
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 4	Base Engine Size: 2 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4	Horsepower: 166 hp
Max Horsepower: 6700 rpm	Torque: 140 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 5000 rpm	Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 30.8 ft.

Fuel Data

The front end is unmistakably Mazda, with its elegantly sculpted sport five-point grille, lower air-intake, and bold bumper. A horizontal streak of chrome floats on the front grille bar, giving a distinctive and high quality feel. Side windows form a flowing, open and modern greenhouse, allowing for great visibility from all seating positions.

Once inside, you are greeted by a neatly organized combination of cylindrical shapes and blacked-out instruments on a T-shaped instrument panel. Brightly edged gauges with metal-look trim and indirect blue illumination set a cool mood. Indirect lighting also is embedded in the front and rear door trim and ceiling for a warm glow. Horizontal elements in areas such as the center panel, door trim and seat design intersect with vertical accents to create the same harmony present in fine furniture. It worked for me as this is the most unique and ergonomic crossover interior that I have tested. Furthermore, craftsmanship and attention to detail is visible everywhere. Soft trim is elegantly configured and constructed of top-quality materials and the front seats have an inviting yet sport look and feel appropriate to this type of vehicle. The center stack houses large, clearly marked entertainment and climate controls. Delicate stitching and the metallic look of the floating door trim-grips reveal the designer’s fine eye for detail.

At the heart of every Mazda lies a spirited engine. The CX-9 comes with a new 3.5 liter V6 making a robust 263hp and 249lb.ft. of torque. Advanced features found in this engine include DOHC, VVT, a high compression ratio and electronic throttle. This V6 engine is mated to a smooth shifting, six-speed automatic found on only a few, more expensive SUVs and CUVs. A six-speed transmission equates to optimum acceleration and passing performance, coupled with excellent highway fuel efficiency.

Drive is through either the front wheels or via Mazda’s advanced Active Torque Split AWD system. On AWD models, various sensors signal control modules to automatically apportion torque to those wheels most able to provide solid traction. A computer-controlled coupling, connected with the rear differential, automatically adjusts the torque distribution, allowing up to 50% of the drive power to be sent to the rear wheels, depending on traction conditions. This is the same system found in the MazdaSpeed 6 and CX-7. I recommend the AWD system for a better ride all-around.

The stiff unibody of the CX-9 provides a solid foundation for a confident ride with agile handling. Computer-aided-engineering analysis was used to optimize this structure, delivering high torsional and bending rigidity with minimal weight. Extra laser welds and adhesive weld bonding have been applied in critical areas for enhanced stiffness. Damping sheets applied to floor areas and acoustic foam filler added to body cavities assure a quiet, high quality cabin environment.

In front, the perimeter frame is mounted to the unibody through six rubber isolators that supports the powertrain, the engine-speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering, and a low friction strut-type front suspension system using coil springs. The multilink rear suspension consists of one trailing arm and two lateral locating links per side. To minimize cargo-compartment intrusion and permit a wider load space, the rear coil springs are position between the lower lateral links and the unibody. A damper is located as close as possible to each rear wheel to provide excellent motion control with minimal friction. Anti-roll bars at each end maximize agility and control during spirited driving times. Bear in mind that with a higher center of gravity than a sports sedan, you can’t really attack curving roads with the CX-9 as you might like to.

The big, steel disc brakes, ABS, traction control, Roll Stability Control and Dynamic Stability Control all work in concert to help you maintain control during severe maneuvers that you might encounter.

The CX-9 Grand Touring rides on big, 20X8in. aluminum wheels wrapped with 245/50R20in. low-profile radial tires, while the Sport and Touring models rides on 18X8in. aluminum wheels fitted with 245/60R18in. radial tires.

Standard equipment in the CX-9 Grand Touring models includes leather trimmed seats front and back, Xenon headlights, bright finish door handles, heated front seats, power windows/door locks with express up/down in front, fog lamps, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, heated power-side mirrors with side marker lights, leather wrapped steering wheel/shift knob, Bluetooth hands free operation, three 12-volt outlets, electro-luminescent gauges, AM-FM/CD audio system with 6-speakers, 3-zone automatic climate control, grab handles for all passenger doors, remote keyless entry, keyless start, thick-pile carpeting, dual map lights, overhead storage for glasses, and a map pocket behind the driver’s seat. Optional equipment includes an electric moonroof, 277-watt, 10-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround sound system with autopilot, GT navigation with voice command, and a DVD entertainment system for the rear.

Standard safety equipment includes front airbags, front side airbags, 3-row side air curtains with rollover protection, side-impact door beams, front & rear crush zones, LATCH child safety seat anchors, tire pressure monitor, anti-theft engine immobilizer, and anti-theft perimeter alarm.

It looks like the all-new 2007 Mazda CX-9 has it all over the new breed of crossover utility vehicles with Mazda’s signature Zoom-Zoom performance, a supremely comfortable interior, and a very large and flexible cargo hold. I counted at least 8-tie downs in the rear to hold cargo in place. The price of the CX-9 Grand Touring AWD starts $33,875.00 and the very loaded model that I tested was $39,285.00 including destination.

ALL NEW 2007 MAZDA CX-9
“ZOOM-ZOOM CROSSOVER FUN”

COPYRIGHT:2007:HARVEY SCHWARTZ – EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS

Price MSRP: $33,875 Invoice: $31,322

Type: Large SUV
Where Built: Japan
EPA Class: Sport Utility Vehicles

Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 199.6 in.	Width: 76.2 in.
Height: 68.3 in.	Wheel Base: 113.2 in.
Curb Weight: 4546 lbs.	Gross Weight: 6025 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 39.6 in.	Front Hip Room: 56.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 59.4 in.	Rear Head Room: 38.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 58.7 in.	Rear Hip Room: 56 in.
Front Leg Room: 40.9 in.	Rear Leg Room: 39.8 in.
Luggage Capacity: 17.2 cu. ft.	Maximum Seating: 7
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6	Base Engine Size: 3.5 liters
Base Engine Type: V6	Horsepower: 263 hp
Max Horsepower: 6250 rpm	Torque: 249 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4500 rpm	Maximum Payload: 1479 lbs.
Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs.	Drive Type: AWD
Turning Circle: 37.4 ft.

Fuel Data