Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept

Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept 2009

The Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept is an answer to the world of automobiles and individual mobility moving towards energy efficiency, environmental compatibility and uncompromised safety - along with dynamic attributes and driving fun.

Mazda's European R+D centre in Oberursel has created a show car that represents the essence of Mazda's fun-to-drive aspect. Based on the brand icon Mazda MX-5 Roadster, the Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept is a pure, uncompromising two-seat sports car meant to be affordable to just about anyone.

The Exterior Design
The Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept was to strengthen these bonds even further. By doing this without a windshield, the retractable top and its frame, designers achieved an important step in this direction. As the Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept, the allweather production roadster has mutated into a driving machine that lets sports car enthusiasts enjoy the natural surroundings unfiltered and tangible. Not only does the wind blow unimpeded during driving, pilot and co-pilot can also experience the sounds, smells and temperature changes of their immediate surroundings.

The Mazda designers created special roll-over bars, not only because they are very sporty-looking, but also to contribute to aerodynamic efficiency. These also make it clear that roll-over protection is important in this concept. And they prevent wind turbulence around the heads of the passengers, from whom the law would require the wearing of helmets while driving.

The lack of a windshield required an extension of the original aluminium bonnet into the cabin. The attached sheet here is made of lightweight carbon fibre and provides a hood for the dashboard frame.

Interior Design
The purity in design of the exterior also characterizes the interior design, which does not have aesthetics as ultimate goal, but was conceived to contribute to reducing vehicle weight. Driver and passenger of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept are greeted by racing bucket seats made of ultra-lightweight carbon fibre. They are slide adjustable and upholstered with the same saddle coloured leather as the armrests, the steering wheel, and the lightweight aluminium shift lever and hand brake. Colour-coordinated four-point seatbelts hold the driver and passenger firmly in their seats.

Driving Dynamics
The Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept is fully-drivable, but there are no plans to produce it in the near future. Under the bonnet is the cultivated and frugal MZR 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine paired to the production roadster's five-speed manual transmission. It develops 93 kW/126 PS of maximum power at 6,500 rpm.

The engine sound is designed to suggest an engine with much higher displacement than the concept actually has. During charge cycles, a high-resonance bubbling sound in the muffler delivers the exciting sporty sound you expect from a very powerful engine.

Technical Specifications
= Body Type : Roadster Monocoque
= Seating capacity: 2
= External Dimensions
o Overall length: 4,020 mm
o Overall width: 1,720 mm
o Overall height (unloaded): 1,110 mm
o Wheelbase: 2,330 mm
o Track (front/rear): 1,540/1,545 mm
o Ground clearance: 106 mm
= Engine: MZR 1.8-litre petrol
= Max. power: 126 PS (93 kW) at 6,500 rpm
= Max. torque: 167 Nm at 4,500 rpm
= Transmission: 5-speed manual
= Front/rear suspension: Double wishbone/Multi-link
= Damper (front/rear): Bilstein® monotube
= Tyre size: 205/45 R17
= Brake type (front/rear): Ventilated discs/Solid discs
= Brake diameter (front/rear): 300/280 mm
= Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8,9 s
= Fuel consumption (combined): 6,3 l/100km
= CO2 emissions (combined): 150 g/km
= Min. kerb weight (without driver): 995 kg