Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept images, specs leaked

By Matt Brogan | September 14th, 2009

You might recall when early last month we posted an article relating to the Mazda MX-5 Superlight which was set to appear at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Well it now seems we don’t have to wait that long with images and some specifications of Mazda’s latest concept hitting the web over the weekend.

The Superlight will be based on the recently updated MX-5, though does away with the windscreen and retractable roof, transforming the roadster in to a two-seat track-day speedster.

Creature comforts including carpeting and sound-deadening materials, air conditioning and the CD tuner have also been removed while carbon-fibre racing seats replace the standard offerings in a further bid to reduce weight.

Remaining inside the MX-5′s standard steering wheel and instrumentation remain the same though brown leather with aluminium accents provide a little more show for the concept model.

Under the bonnet the Superlight is powered by a familiar 94kW 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine which although hardly exciting, sees 0-100km/h times of 8.9 seconds thanks to a low kerb weight of just 995kg.

With improved suspension and brake components the Superlight rides of a track some 50mm wider and 30mm lower than the standard model. Thicker anti-roll bars were also installed front and rear.

The Superlight concept also features 17-inch alloy wheels to hide larger four-pot calipers and slotted rotors.

There’s no word yet on whether the Superlight will make it to production with more news expected in a couple of days.

RdS

seriously failing to see whats ‘Super’light about it… its heavier and slower than an NA mx5. :S

Carfanatic

It’s lighter, but why put\ a 1.8 in it when the 2.0 has so much more power.

Look at the figures.

Standard MX5 1145 Kg for the soft top and 118kw, that’s 103 kw/tonne
Superlight 995 KG and 94 KW ( big deal 94KW/tonne) this thing could be nearly 15% better if they use the standard engine.

Lindsay

RdS is correct; the 1997 MX-5 is 980kg and 98kW. The 1989 MX-5 was 930kg.

RdS

its such a shame. if those figures are correct (and im doubting/hoping they arent).. then theres no real point for this car.
its closest competitor would be a ~95 NA8 or so.. with the 1.8L. say at max 990kg, 98kw, and more gear than this one… itd be faster, smaller, lighter, more usable, and so much cheaper. wouldnt be suprised if the fuel economy is the same if not better… :S
anyone hardcore enough for a car with no windscreen wouldnt even bother with a ‘new’ one.. and buy the first generation (NA) mx5 anyway. cant even argue this one looks better, because the target market wouldnt care!

hell, if an NA mx5 is even getting too old these days, a stock 1.8L ZZW30 MR2(MR-S) ~2000-2005 is also lighter, quicker, and cheaper (id guess?) than this…

argh!

MrQuick

The 1.8 is the base Euro spec engine.

They just decided to put that engine in, over there its considered to be the more ‘pure’ mx5.

Deco

I see no purpose for this vehicle.
Greg

check out the 5th gear test of the mx5, they prove the performance is under average for the 0-100 test

any one know what that silver pipe is behind the grill?

surely cant be some sort of cold air intake modification?
PaulS

Oh, I am disappointed! I was expecting at least the standard engine in this…. I might as well go for the earlier models for way cheaper….
Myke

A better option would have be to find a engine for the MX-5, with more power and torque. Either putting a turbo on the current 2.0 or putting the 2.3 turbo from the CX-7/3 MPS into the engine bay.

MrQuick

They 2.0 was never designed with turbocharging in mind, don’t see that ever happening.

The 2.3 turbo simply doesn’t fit under the bonnet, it runs a camshaft driven high pressure fuel pump on the back of the engine, requires firewall modifications in order to fit the engine, which in turn means full re-engineering of the front of the car.

I don’t understand peoples the fixation with power, how often do you track the car?, and how many times driving daily will you ever use over 80kw of power, rarely occurs.

The majority of people on here have never driven an mx5, if you ever do, you understand that it really doesn’t need more power, sure it’d be more fun, but its simply not necessary.

Myke

Did I ever complain about the MX-5′s lack of power??? no I didn’t. Before you jump to conclusions, I said what I said because Mazda are clearly attempting at making a faster version of the MX-5 through this concept. Rather than changing the body and reducing the power, a bigger/more powerful engine without the design of the vehicle, would make more sense.

Yanzo

mazda only got 94 kw out of a 1.8? suzuki got 94 out of a 1.6

Carfanatic

bear in mind it is only a concept, they may have rushed this through.
Fasthonda

The JDM 1.6L ’98 Spec R HONDA engine in the EK9 Civic produced 136kw @8,200 rpm and 160nm @ 7,500rpm.
When car companies start turbocharging their engines they can become lazy in developing/producing high performance NA engines when needed.
That’s why I find that the 2.3L turbo in the MPS is over the top for a FWD.
I actually don’t mind the look of the concept but one would imagine it should have more power than the normal MX-5.
The Australian delivered 1.8L(NA) Integra Type R with 141kW would be ideal in such a car.

RdS

dont forget other fantastic high-tech small NA motors such as the last of the Toyota 1.6L 4AGE (20valves, ITB’s, VVTi, 121kw) and of course the S2000′s 180kw 2L F20C… both also perfect for this style of car.

http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

I’m not a complete power fanatic, but even though I understand the appeal of an MX-5, I’d feel short-changed with 94KW!
whatefa

Can you believe the frontal styling of this thing?
Looks like it came from Toys’r'us