On Tuesday, Mazda Motorsports announced a new removable hardtop for the Mazda Miata sports car. However, the $4,420 addition will be available exclusively to owners of the Miata MX-5 Global Cup model, a racing variation of the same car.
The vehicle, which is an open-top roadster for general consumers, has always been distinguished for its sporty look. The same goes for the MX-5 Cup, which boasts higher speeds than the regular Miata and a more track-oriented design.
This removable hardtop will give MX-5 Cup drivers the chance to compete in a wider variety of sports events. Some competitions only allow vehicles that are technically all covered up, so the standard open-top version of the Miata does not qualify as it is.
Racers will have more options with the new hardtop
“NOW WITH AN AVAILABLE HARDTOP, MAZDA RACERS CAN COMPETE IN SCCA AND NASA CLUB RACING AND IN THE PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE TCA CLASS,” said Mazda’s business development manager David Cook in a statement.
Mazda’s Miata MX-5 Global Cup is a special edition of the automaker’s signature roadster designed to meet the demands and standards of world-class tracks and courses.
In comparison to other race cars, the MX-5 Cup is somewhat of an ‘entry-level’ model. The 2017 edition has a starting price of $58,900 and packs a 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G engine, a GEMS electronic control unit (ECU), and a more solid transmission.
The Japanese automaker is not as big a name in the world of race cars as others locals like Honda, but it is trying to leave its mark in this competition field with cars that are powerful, affordable, and durable like the Miata MX-5 Global Cup.
There are around 130 of these cars currently running in tracks around the world. The $4,420 hardtop will be handmade on demand and starts shipping in April. It costs so much because it is designed and manufactured to meet international racing regulations.
Mazda MX-5 Miata costs $24,915
Traditional Miata MX-5 owners may find themselves tempted to try and fit the hardtop of the Global Cup on their cars. However, these are different models and the roll cages are not the same.
Mazda representatives who have already received inquiries about trying to do this have strongly advised customers against it. Doing so involves some cumbersome modifications, presumably directly on the chassis of the car that you might want to think long and hard about.
The standard Mazda MX-5 Miata costs $24,915, while the RF trim starts at $31,555.
Source: Mazda
