1996 Mazda Miata M Coupe

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 11:34 am

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.

speed · Postby **speed** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:26 am

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

Smacca · Postby **Smacca** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 7:59 am

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.

Code4 · Postby **Code4** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:17 am

Looks better than the latest attempt.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:35 pm

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.

droo · Postby **droo** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 12:01 pm

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

*enhance

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 12:55 pm

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.