The 2007 Mazda MX-5 is offered in two body styles: a two-seat two-door convertible and the new Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT). All are powered by the same eager 2.0-liter, all-aluminum, four-cylinder, sixteen-valve engine. The MX-5 Sport with the vinyl soft top comes with the same basic equipment as the SV plus air conditioning and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A tire puncture repair kit fills in for a spare tire, as it does on all MX-5s. The PRHT hardtop Sport also comes with a manual gearbox. The Sport model is also available with the Activematic six-speed automatic and the soft top; it comes standard with the 1CP Convenience Package consisting of cruise control, fog lamps, keyless entry system and power door locks.
The Touring soft top adds fog lamps, cruise control, power door locks, keyless entry, cruise control, steering wheel mounted cruise and audio controls, with 17-inch alloy wheels and P205/45R17 performance tires. Run-flat tires are optional. The Touring hard top is also available.
The Grand Touring comes with heated leather seats, faux leather door trim, a cloth soft top and Bose AM/FM/CD player system with seven speakers. Tan leather and matching door panels are optional. 17-inch aluminum wheels mounting 205/45-17 tires fill the wheel openings, and run-flat technology is available. The Grand Touring hardtop comes with the six-speed manual or automatic.
The MX-5 is made to be fun to drive. The 166-hp, six-speed gearbox and a highly responsive throttle gives it a responsive kick. The wide track and low center of gravity enable it to corner flatter than should be possible. The MX-5 is well balanced and it holds its line through corners well. The lower the mass is in the car's chassis, the lower the car's center of gravity and the more stable its ride and handling. But especially important for a sports car, the closer weight is clustered around what engineers call the vertical yaw axis the better. The new Miata cruises well, from highway speeds to stop and go traffic. Clutch effort is so light it?s enjoyable.
Three transmissions are offered, depending upon model: a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic with Activematic, Mazda's take on a shift-it-yourself automatic gearbox. The engine is rated at 166 horsepower, which is plenty for the MX-5. Automatic-equipped cars get 163 horsepower, the difference due to revised engine tuning required to work with the automatic. The MX-5's 2.0-liter four-cylinder gets 166 horsepower. The engine operates with four valves per cylinder and has dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing. The automatic isn't as robust as the two manuals, but may be desirable for those looking for convenient driving.
The MX-5 holds two occupants. The interior is styled with chrome and silver accents, and the driver holds a three-spoke tilt steering wheel. Coated glass covers the instrument cluster for easy visibility, even in direct sunlight. Audio and cruise controls are placed on the steering wheel. All gauges are analog, with a large. Seats are properly bolstered for the type of driving the MX-5 offers, but there is no lumbar support or but a seat height adjustment. A single set of power window buttons is located in the center console aft of the shift boot, behind which a tidy retracting cover conceals two cup holders. A power outlet is conveniently placed at the base of the center stack and four air registers are spaced across the dash in the hard, shiny black panel that changes to brushed aluminum for the Limited Edition. The cabin of the MX_5 may be a tight space for a large person, yet as much to be expected from a coupe. The 2007 model is larger and now allows more leg room and hip room. The trunk's capacity is 5.3 cubic feet, and there are three compartments that are built into the back wall of the cockpit, and one storage area locks. Pockets and bottle holders are positioned around the cockpit.
The third-generation MX-5 actually looks closer to the original Miata than the second-generation model. Although, the overall design is more slab sided and both taller and more rounded at the front end than previous versions. The shape of the grille remains pure Miata. Like the original Miata, the MX-5's nose and tail are tapered. The cockpit is wider than the prior generation's and promises greater hip room, shoulder room and elbow room. The roadster's weight distribution is an even 50/50, which should help deliver good response, and rack-and-pinion steering offers control. The soft top is the better than ever. The top, with its heated glass rear window, collapses into a well behind the seats cleanly and completely, in a way requiring no cover boot. It now looks neatly finished when it's down. As with previous models, the top is manually operated, but light and easy to use. The folding hardtop (PRHT) is a cinch to operate, quick to fold, and very space efficiency. The hardtop is made of lightweight materials: sheet molding compound on the outside and glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene on the inside. Trunk room is not impacted in any way by the tops, a good thing since the trunk is small in the first place. Standard wheels measure 16 inches in diameter, but 17-inch wheels are available.
Safety
All-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution is standard. Other safety equipment standard across the line includes dual, two-stage frontal airbags; and seat-mounted, side airbags.
