Frankfurt 2009: Mazda MX-5 Superlight

Japanese Concern Mazda, which this year celebrates the 20-year anniversary of the MX-5 roadster, will show a special concept, released on this occasion at International Motor Show in Frankfurt. Shortly before the opening of the exhibition the company revealed official images and disseminated information about Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept.

“I’ve dreamed of building a Mazda MX-5 with this kind of radical form for a long time,” says Peter Birtwhistle, Mazda Motor Europe’s Chief Designer. “Now that weight reduction has become a dominant factor in automotive development, the time is ripe for it. We show how lightweight a car today can be.”

The main feature of the model is the lack of a windscreen, which underlines the sporting spirit of the novelty. Concept car Mazda MX-5 Superlight got its name because of the small weight – 995 kg.

This lightweight sports car is equipped with a 4-cylinder 1.8 liter engine with power of 126 hp, which is capable to reach from 0 to 100 km/h for 8,9 seconds. Engine, with the torque of 167 Nm at 4,500 rpm, works in tandem with a five-speed manual gearbox. Maximum speed is not specified, but the representatives have disclosed information on average fuel consumption of the car.

Thus, at 100 km engine consumes 6.3 liters of gasoline, and CO2 emissions do not exceed 150 g/km. This result is more than good for such a sports car.

The car has a sporty interior, there is nothing superfluous, because, according to the automaker, in luxurious interior the driver does not fully get the pleasure of managing sports car at high speeds.

The Japanese concern does not plan mass production of the concept car Mazda MX-5 Superlight, but if the novelty interests visitors at Frankfurt motor show, Mazda will appear on the roads in a couple of years.

Specifications of Mazda MX-5 Superlight

• Body Style: Roadster
• Number of seats: 2
• Length: 4 020 mm
• Width: 1 720 mm
• Height: 1 110 mm
• Wheelbase: 2 330 mm
• Track (front / rear): 1 540 / 1 545 mm
• Clearance: 106 mm
• Engine: MZR 1,8-liter petrol
• Maximum Power: 126 hp (93 kW) at 6 500 rpm
• Maximum torque: 167 Nm at 4 500 rpm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Front / rear suspension: Double crossbars / multilink
• Shock absorbers (front / rear): single-tube Bilstein ®
• Tire size: 205/45 R17
• Brakes (front / rear): Ventilated disc / disc
• Diameter brake discs (front / rear): 300/280 mm
• Acceleration 0-100 km / h: 8,9 with
• Fuel consumption: 6,3 l/100 km
• Loaded weight (without driver): 995 kg