#02#We on The Car Enthusiast are purists when it comes to cars, sportscars in particular; so when Mazda first announced the introduction of a new folding hardtop version of the MX-5 at the British Motor Show, we were surprised and not just a little sceptical. We don't operate on the 'innocent until proven guilty' maxim around here and so judged Mazda to be guilty of tampering with an established formula.

Two months on, and having spent a couple of days in the magnificent mountains in the Tyrol region of Austria at the wheel of the new MX-5 Roadster Coupé, I have to admit that our initial fears were unfounded. The new Coupé is true to the original simple concept of the Mazda MX-5 and indeed could well be the best-selling MX-5 in time.

But I'm getting ahead of myself; let's rewind. We were given the keys to a 2-litre Sport model at Innsbruck Airport and with the sun out it would have been rude to leave the roof up. In the regular soft-top MX-5, dropping the hood is the work of only a few seconds, though raising it takes more effort. The new folding hardtop version does require manual unlatching at the centre of the windscreen header, but from then on four small electric motors quietly and elegantly store the two-piece roof and rear window neatly behind the seats. It only takes 12 seconds too, which by my estimation is the fastest of the breed.

Unlike every other coupé convertible on the market, the MX-5's roof does not encroach on the boot space. If I was a pedant I'd point out that the Roadster Coupé has no storage box behind the seats where the regular car does, but I firmly believe that the solid roof is a fair swap.

#p##02# With the roof down and a sweeping road in front of us it was obvious that there is little to choose between the regular MX-5 and the Roadster Coupé. Mazda's engineers managed to keep the weight gain down to just 37kg (say half a person), despite the addition of a heavier roof, electric motors and additional bracing around the rear of the roof well. Mazda also claims that all of the weight increase has been within the wheelbase, so the car's balance has not been affected. First impressions were favourable; without driving the Roadster Coupé back-to-back with the soft-top car I would say there is precious little difference.

So why bother with the more expensive hardtop you may ask? Day two of our drive dawned; well, it hardly dawned at all actually so dark and brooding were the clouds. The car was already soaking wet and despite jibes from fellow hacks that seemed to be questioning my sexuality there was no doubt that the roof was staying firmly in place.

Mazda had drawn up a demanding and tortuous route through the mountains. In the dry, this would have been challenging and a real test of the car's brakes, but in the streaming rain it was more of a lesson in self-control. The MX-5 was still huge fun in these conditions, the 2-litre engine easily loosening the rear tyres' grip on the wet surface. The little Mazda is so well balanced, confident drivers can turn off the traction control safe in the knowledge that he will be told what is happening where the tread blocks touch tarmac.

#p##05# None of what I've just said would have been any different in the soft-top MX-5, but the one major difference was the sense of isolation from the elements. Despite driving rain and thick fog, the Roadster Coupé felt comfortable and snug where the sound of rain against a soft top would have interfered with your conversation and possibly dampened your enthusiasm for driving.

There are other bonuses of course. City dwellers in particular will appreciate having a roof that can't be cut open by the local scumbags. Owners of the MX-5s have had to buy aftermarket hardtops for their cars if they wanted these advantages, but these removable tops can't be stored in the car when not in use, so extra space is required at home and you can't always predict when you may need it. Not only that, but the extra cost of the Roadster Coupé over the regular MX-5 is not a lot more than the cost of a removable hardtop, with a lot more convenience. We hereby acquit Mazda of all charges!

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Mazda MX-5 UK range overview

- Mazda MX-5 1.8i: £15,650
- Mazda MX-5 2.0i: £17,450
- Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé 1.8i (Option Pack): £18,210
- Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé 1.8i (Option Pack with leather): £18,930
- Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport: £18,950
- Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé 2.0i (Option Pack): £19,210
- Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé 2.0i (Option Pack with leather): £19,930
- Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé 2.0i Sport: £20,710
- Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé 2.0i Sport (with BOSE): £18,210