Mazda MX-5 Superlight leaked ahead of 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
With an endless string of concepts cars peppered across these pages, we often find ourselves saying, “Yeah, I’d drive that.” But with the Frankfurt-bound Mazda Superlight concept, we’re saying “Hey – I wanna build that!”
Conceived and created as a way to celebrate the MX-5 Miata’s 20th anniversary – along with showcasing Mazda’s focus on lightweight performance – the Superlight’s new profile and 2,194-pound curb weight is the brainchild of the automaker’s European R&D center in Oberursel, Germany.
Based off the recently facelifted roadster, the most obvious change to the Superlight is its speedster profile, which involved removing the windshield, retractable roof and frame. From there, Mazda’s European team extended the aluminum hood towards the cabin and mounted an aluminum, wide-angle rear-view mirror, along with a set of roll-over hoops fitted with LED brake lights.
The passenger compartment benefits from a thorough stripping, with the removal of the sound insulation, carpeting and air conditioning unit. In their place goes a set of carbon fiber racing buckets coated in the same brown leather as the steering wheel, armrests and aluminum shifter and hand brake. The dash is a custom fiberglass and plastic unit, with the stock MX-5’s gauges joining an engine-start button bringing to life the standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder (putting out 126 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque) and equipped with a Mazdaspeed cold-air intake and exhaust. But with the diet and minimal engine mods, the run from 0-to-60 MPH comes in at 8.9 seconds.The track has been increased by 50mm all around to accommodate the larger four-piston calipers and slotted discs, with the whole package dropped by 30mm courtesy of a Bilstein B16 coil-overs. Eibach anti-roll bars are fitted front and rear, and the Superlight rolls on stock 17-inch wheels coated in 205/45 rubber.
According to Mazda Motor Europe’s Chief Designer, Peter Birtwhistle, “I’ve dreamed of building a Mazda MX-5 with this kind of radical form for a long time. Now that weight reduction has become a dominant factor in automotive development, the time is ripe for it.” Ripe indeed, and color us inspired. Now if we can just find the right donor car…
[Source: Mazda via Carscoop]
More Excellent Articles and Beautiful Pictures about 2009 Frankfurt Mort Show:
+ Officially Official: Lexus reveals LF-Ch concept in full ahead of 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
+ First Look: 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost will debut at 2009 Frankfurt auto show
+ Lamborghini Reventón roadster images leak ahead of Frankfurt
+ 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show Preview: Hyundai goes Blue (Drive) with ix Metro and i10 Electric
+ Frankfurt Motor Show 2009 Preview: Audi to intro clean A4 TDI, A3 TFSI, coming to America
+ Frankfurt Motor Show Preview: Limited-edition Porsche 911 Sport Classic marks return of the ducktail
More Excellent Articles About Mazda in www Auto com:
+ Review: 2010 Mazda3 a tale of two Mazdas
+ 2010 Mazda RX-8 facelift officially announced for Europe
+ 2010 Mazda CX-7 debuts with refreshed look and new four-cylinder in… Toronto?
+ Chicago Auto Show 2009 Preview: 2009 Mazda MX-5 will say hey to USA
+ 2010 Mazda3 to hit U.S. dealers in March
+ Detroit Auto Show 2009: 2010 Mazda3 hatch just as happy as the sedan
+ CAR gets way early first drive of Mazda MX-5
+ Spy Shots (Sort of): Mazda3 five-door hatchback
+ Spycam: 2010 MazdaSpeed3 Caught at the ‘Ring
+ 2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of 2008 LA Auto Show
+ 2008 Paris Motor Show: Mazda Kiyora concept
+ 2008 Paris Motor Show: 2009 Mazda MX-5
+ Mazda Kiyora city car concept, MX-5 facelift head to Paris
+ Moscow Auto Show 2008: Kesselman Mazda CX-7
+ 2010 Mazda3 revealed by a toy? Not really, but kind of
+ The Final Word: No Mazdaspeed MX-5
+ UK to get updated 2009 Mazda RX-8 starting in late August
More Excellent Articles like
Mazda MX-5 Superlight leaked ahead of 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
Pay Attention to Auto Fans
Recent Auto Articles
- One-off SR-71 Mustang sells for $375,000 at EAA AirVenture
- First Test Experience: 2011 Nissan Juke SV
- Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 announced - world’s first diesel full hybrid vehicle
- Nissan Xterra not long for this world
- 2011 Ford Mondeo facelift unveiled in Moscow
- 2011 Nissan Murano unveiled with mild refresh, new SV trim
- Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8
- Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe Shaheen and Baynunah bespoke editions
- Officially Official: Updated 2011 Jeep Wrangler now in production
- Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series by MKB packs over 1000hp
