Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept

Mazda celebrated the 20^th birthday of the fabulous MX-5 roadster by unveiling their Superlight concept car at the Frankfurt motor show.

The latest face-lifted version of the MX-5 was used as a starting point for Mazda’s concept, and extreme weight reduction methods were employed in the search for an ultimate driver’s car. These methods included removing the roof and the windscreen, and being exposed to the environment meant that further weight could be lost by not having air conditioning! Lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre are used extensively, including in the interior where they’re used to compliment brown leather to give a very stylish and high quality look and feel.

The original 1.8 litre, 126bhp engine from the MX-5 has been used here, but because the Superlight now weighs just under a tonne, the performance improves to 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds and emissions are reduced to 150g/km. Although an improvement, the performance figures themselves may not be startling, but experiencing these speeds when exposed to the elements makes up for it and particularly when embracing the MX-5s widely appreciated handling.

Unfortunately, this is a one-off car unavailable to buy, but which will perhaps give an indication of the future styling and weight-saving measures of future production cars in Mazda’s line-up. Mazda’s chiefs are hoping to use the Superlight engineering exercise as a starting point to shave tens, or even hundreds, of kilos off every car in their showrooms.

You can still enjoy the thrill of the original MX-5 convertible from just £280.71 per month.