New MX-5 To Be The Lightest Ever: Report
UPDATE: The all-new MX-5 HAS NOW BEEN REVEALED. Mazda wants its next-generation MX-5 to be as light as its great grandfather, and every bit as nimble. That much is no secret, with project chief Takao Kijima confirming a goal that would see the new mode
UPDATE: The all-new MX-5 HAS NOW BEEN REVEALED.
Mazda wants its next-generation MX-5 to be as light as its great grandfather, and every bit as nimble. That much is no secret, with project chief Takao Kijima confirming a goal that would see the new model debut with a kerb weight under 1000kg.
New reports out of the US however suggest Mazda wants to go even lighter - lighter, even, than the original 950kg NA MX-5.
According to Inside Line, Mazda's engineers have been instructed to shave some 325kg from the weight of the current model - a directive that could result in a ridiculous 770kg, figures that even the MX-5 Superlight concept couldn't come near.
In reality, this figure is unlikely to be achieved. Even with today's ultra-lightweight materials and construction methods, affordability will still be the MX-5's driving strength - and the growing list of safety features in modern cars also makes for a hefty weight penalty.
More likely is that Kijima has issued the new weight goal in an attempt to stretch the project's engineers - a move that could result in a new MX-5 that is lighter even than the current sub-1000kg targets.
UPDATE: The all-new MX-5 HAS NOW BEEN REVEALED.