Mazda MX-5 Superlight leaks

Official pictures of the MX-5 Superlight Concept have leaked out ahead of Frankfurt

Mazda’s MX-5 Superlight Concept – a stripped out ‘Speedster’ version of the MX-5 has leaked ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show

We reported that Mazda were working an a super lightweight version of the MX-5 at the beginning of August, which they intended showing at Frankfurt this year. And now – thanks to the joys of the Interweb – the official pictures of the new Mazda MX-5 Superlight have leaked out.

We don’t think Mazda are intending building the MX-5 Superlight, it’s more a way of showcasing what can be achieved by radical weight saving. But don’t quote us on that. If Mazda gets big positive feedback they’ll probably turn it in to a production model despite their assertions it’s just a concept.

Mazda has taken the basics of the latest MX-5 and turned it in to a Speedster. The windscreen has gone, as has the roof. The bonnet has been stretched back above the dash and Mazda has fitted a set of roll-over hoops.

The interior end up with no creature comforts to speak of. Gone are the carpets and sound insulation and of course the AirCon (weight and power sapping). The dashboard is a customplastic version with standard MX-5 dials but with the addition of a start button.

The engine is the standard Mazda 1.8 litre fitted with cold-air manifolds (no, I don ‘t know either) and deliver 126bhp and a 0-60 mph of 8.9 seconds. The track has been widened by a couple of inches, bigger calipers have been fitted and the suspension dropped by just over an inch. New anti-roll; basr are fitted and the Lightweight gets shod with 205/45 rubber on standard 17″ alloys.

Quite a workover, and the whole package weighs in at leass than a tonne.