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 2008 Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop (PRHT)
Open-Top Fun. Coupe Convenience. We are positive your experience with us will be above your expectations. Maybe you own a Mazda now. Maybe you’re brand new to our brand of thinking. Either way, we encourage you to click around here for awhile. The 2008 Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop is a brand-new counterpart to the third-generation MX-5, which was launched in the summer of 2005. It has the same responsive performance and emotive styling as the soft-top model, but is equipped with a unique Power Retractable Hardtop — the first-ever electrically retractable hardtop that doesn’t sacrifice any trunk space. The MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop embodies Mazda’s belief that the MX-5 experience should centre on driving enjoyment. And the key to that driving enjoyment is Mazda’s dedication to Jinba Ittai — an intimate driver-car relationship that can be likened to the synergy of a rider and horse moving as one. ExteriorStaying faithful to the MX-5 identity was central to development of the MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop’s styling, so the distinctive side silhouette, the low, flowing shoulder line, and other elements of the front and side views are identical to those of the soft-top model. Toward the rear of the body, essential design adjustments were made to accommodate the Power Retractable Hardtop without compromising the car’s identity. Most crucially, incorporating the roof so it could be retracted into the cabin (behind the seats) without affecting the trunk space necessitated a rear-deck structure different from that of the soft-top model. Also, achieving a good visual balance between the body and roof demanded several design adjustments at the rear of the body. Aside from an electrically powered rear deck cover, the most visible differences from the soft-top model lie in the contours of the rear fenders and trunk lid and in a new design for the high-mount stop lamp. The rear combination lamps and rear bumper are the same as those of the soft-top model. InteriorThe interior design of the MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop is completely consistent with that of the soft top model; it creates an environment that exudes the MX-5’s sporty, fun-to-drive roadster personality. As with the soft-top model, the interior trim is available in three packages: one based on saddle-tan leather, one based on black leather, and one based on black fabric. The only noticeable difference from the soft top model at the front of the cabin is the addition of ‘open’ and ‘close’ buttons and an indicator lamp (to control and monitor operation of the roof) near the top of the centre stack of the instrument panel. The buttons are easy to reach from the driver’s seat. The back trim differs slightly from that of the soft top model: There’s no roof opening hook lever between the seats, and the trim does not have storage recesses behind the seats because of the roof storage space between the trim and the trunk. The seats are the same as those of the soft-top model, so a seatback pocket is provided. PerformanceThe Mazda MX-5 soft top model has outstandingly lively and linear driving dynamics. Therefore, the main goal in the development of the MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop model was to maintain these driving dynamics and make the driving experience as enjoyable as that offered by the soft top model:
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