Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept set to appear in Frankfurt

By Matt Brogan | August 05th, 2009

The Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept is set to make its debut appearance at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Mazda’s purest MX-5 yet, this ultra light version has had every unnecessary piece of weight stripped from the body with even the windscreen and door handles being scrapped.

A concept car at present, the MX-5 Superlight was designed in Oberusel, Germany, and comes to us at the same time as Mazda celebrates its 20th anniversary.

At this point any chance of seeing a production model are slim but then again, you never can tell with a company like Mazda.

http://skyline The Salesman

That actually looks really good. Back to the original roadster roots. I’ll have mine with racing stripes please.
Toxic_Horse

I bet they charge more for less
Pops

…But racing stripes would add additional weight.
Rym

Toxic horse, Less is indeed More!

One of the few great little fang mobile that has aged well.
VBE

In an era where everything is getting heavier and when they start calling 4WD’s ‘sporty’, this is what many of the purist have been asking for, a true, lightweight sports car.
Luke

Im not a fan of the MX-5, but this doesnt look too bad.
Reminds me of the Veritas RS that was shown in the last full throttle
Jake02

What a stupid car. I cannot imagine anyone wanting to buy one, let alone buying one itself. I’m not a fan of the normal MX-5 (I think they are priced too steep) and this thing doesn’t help. Im sure it’ll drive well though.

If they don’t give a serious amount more of power (I’m sorry but around 118kW is not enough, even with the weight being low) it will just be pointless. Sorry to be so negative but I would much prefer a Lotus to this and I would because I reckon Mazda would charge quite alot more than the normal MX-5.
Jimmy

I can’t see Felipe Massa buying one of these.
Dude

Staying true to the companys values… Nice work mazda! In a time where cars are getting bigger, heavier and more complicated its great to see something light and back to basics
Dude

Zoom Zoom
Acfsambo

Looks great but how will it transfer from CG to real life?

Jake02, power is not the point of this car, its the handling. It doesn’t need more power as you wouldn’t be able to use the extra power.

Though i do agree that the MX-5 is too expensive.
Jake02

Acfsambo,
Yes I realise that (I did say that it’d be a good drive) but look at the Lotus range they are also about handling but have more power. That’s the biggest complaint with the MX-5 – not enough power!
rym

Typically, those that have driven it will get what this is about and more power isn’t something a majority of MX5 drivers ask for.

I can understand that from a distance… (ie. not having driven it and arm chair experts), you may be led to such a conclusion that it needs more power.

My own view only is that it doesn’t need it. My daily commute fun mobile is an M3. Yet, from all my outings on the Mx5, it has always put a grin on my dial.

The Mx5 is a nicely balanced and a great recipe for driving fun.
TomR

Has anyone noticed that the MX-5 isn’t actually light anymore though… My mum’s 1998 323 Astina weighs less. Our 1998 Lancer weighs quite a bit less. If they cut down the size, shaved off 150kg, jammed a 1.6 turbo in it, THEN it would be a magnificent car.
I know its a great car, but as with all such things, they just make it fatter and more luxurious which is ruining it…
Acfsambo

Jake02, also look at the price of the MX-5 to the Elise. Also the MX-5 has more power than an Elise S (base model) which is at least twice the price.

And people are saying the MX-5 is expensive, look at lotus.
http://bent Millatime

I’d buy one, then shove the new Ford Coyote V8 engine in it, hello modern day Cobra!