mx5cartalk.com

I just stumbled across it while browsing for something else. I didn't realise they'd played around with a coupe concept for the NA before.

I remember seeing it in magazines but not the nb version.

I love the wrap-around rear glass of the NA. A nod to the RX-7 perhaps. It's a shame that wasn't repeated with the NB.

Looks better than the latest attempt.

Hmmm... I wonder why they bothered changing the lower half of the car between the door and rear wheel as it's more rounded. The height of the door appears to be shorter too. Arches appear flared.

the doors are the same height but have that Gawwwjess NB shape to them.

*enhance

Steampunk wrote:Hmmm... I wonder why they bothered changing the lower half of the car between the door and rear wheel as it's more rounded. The height of the door appears to be shorter too. Arches appear flared.

My understanding was that the NA coupe was simply a styling exercise for motor shows with minimal intention of going into production.

And like most concepts, the designers are given pretty free reign as to design, and they usually go with what they think flows best (like here)

No doubt had Mazda decided to produce it the doors would have been the regular shape to save cost etc.