SEMA 2011 Custom MX5

[Brian]

Mazda briefly had the picture up...and I assume we will see more of this at the SEMA show next week.

[skeeler]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting this. It almost looks like a photochop, to my untrained eyes, especially the front bumper cover and the top. Actually, the more I look at it, the more it looks like a 'chop. Perhaps it's a photochop of a car that wasn't quite finished yet.

Here are my thoughts:

• I like the bumper cover, and I'd love to see it offered as a painted part. It looks like it would work with the NC2 headlights. The brake ducts are a little overdone, IMO. Note the LED fog lamps.
• The top is clearly a response to the Boxster Spyder. The "MX5 SPYDER" on the front bumper/grill really emphasize the car's inspiration. If this is realy, why no hyphen in the name?
• It looks too me like the windshield is cut down. Look how close the quarter window gets to the top of the windshield surround.
• What's the badge on the fender?
• The steering wheel has a red center stripe, and the seat belts are red. That's pretty good attention to detail for a photochop.
• The black bumper/grill appears to curve back away from the front fascia on the sides. I don't think it can physically do that in the real car. That's another indication of photographic fakery.
• I can't help but wonder what the mechanical changes are, other than the obvious brake upgrade and larger wheels. Oh, and the suspension is clearly lowered.
• The tires don't look any wider than stock. Compared to the 255s on my STR NC, they look downright puny. That suggest there's nothing new going on under the hood.

[Brian]

More Pics From SEMA. Radical rake on the windshield means no chance at production, just styling fun. Same with the nose, which I like, but am told we will not get that as bolt on for existing cars (Mazda just wanted us to know they are getting away from the SMILE).

[jboemler]

Translated, this car is a catalog of stuff you wouldn't want, and stuff you'd love to have but they won't make. Ho hum.

[Brian]

A closeup of the nose...

[jboemler]

Really is a nice-looking nose. To my eye it looks so sweeping that it's actually a mismatch to the rest of the car. It would be cool if someone would make a nose like this, with a rear that matched. Then if we could smooth over the existing wheel arches, we'd have a real winner!

[Brian]

Yeah, I too like the nose. Enough so that I asked about odds of getting it made available rather like the MazdaSpeed noses were and was given the expected answer of 'not likely'.

[jboemler]

Maybe you should (and probably did...) ask about doing like you did with last year's SEMA hit, the flares?

Or maybe those haven't turned out to be a win?

[RUKnight]

How about the top Brian? I'd love a top like that for my NC
Mike

[Brian]

I recall back in my NA/NB days I would sometimes run around with the zip out window laying flat and the top up to keep the sun from beating down on me when it was really hot out. I imagine a Bikini top would give a similar result....but I don't imagine that one coming to market from Mazda. Perhaps somebody aftermarket will give it a try for NC. Some of our younger NA/NB customers beat Mazda to this trick long ago for NA application.