With a nod to its earliest incarnations, the next generation MX-5 will be both smaller and lighter than the current model, according to British magazine Autocar.

Takao Kijima, the MX-5's project chief, has been reported as saying that the next incarnation of the iconic roadster will be at least 10 percent lighter, which would bring it down to less than 1000kg. The MX-5 Superlight concept revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show weighed in at only 995kg.

With modern safety requirements a factor, the next MX-5 is unlikely to be a great deal smaller than the current NC model, meaning that clever engineering and lightweight construction will play a major role in the next generation MX-5.

On the styling front, the new MX-5 will apparently draw inspiration from Mazda's 'Nagare' design language, despite recent comments from the brand's European design boss Peter Birtwhistle that a new company-wide styling is on the cards.

According to Autocar, an inside source at Mazda has said the new MX-5 will be powered by a range of turbo-charged 1.4 and 1.6 litre direct-injection engines.

For now, it is simply too early to know how much of Autocar's report can be believed, but having taken the time to develop the MX-5 Superlight, it's clear that Mazda is looking at weight-reduction and improved handling for future models.

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• reply ” like !

  

  Who Knows says,
  3 years ago

  Will we see any mirrors on the doors ??
• reply ” like !

  

  Tenka says,
  3 years ago

  Lighter would be great, the old MX-5s are still a great option for a fun car.
  
  Good news about the little turbo engines.
  • reply ” like !

    

    waynesmuseum says,
    1 year ago

    Your attached image is pending approval.

    My 89 model only weighs 930 kilo
• reply ” like !

  says,
  2 years ago

  In order to make it lighter and smaller , you made it much lighter and smaller in size but it gives a new and hanky stylish look,,,
• reply ” like !

  

  JimbojanglesAUS says,
  2 years ago

  Happy Car!
• reply ” like !

  

  288gto says,
  2 years ago

  1 like

  Found its inspiration ....

  
  
• reply ” like !

  

  waynesmuseum says,
  1 year ago

  I have an 89 Eunos roadster import with auto , air ,power steer and elec windows and it only weighs 930 kilos with no light weight materials . Surely with today's technology , getting back to under 1000 k's should be easy .