Super(light) Hero - Mazda bringing bantamweight MX-5 Miata concept to Frankfurt [UPDATED]
by Jonathon Ramsey on Aug 5th 2009 at 10:26AM 
Mazda MX-5 Miata Superlight Concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery
A few days ago, Mazda announced a special-edition MX-5 Miata in Crystal White Pearl Mica to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the car that restored the roadster. They should have been making a splash about this car instead, a concept MX-5 Superlight speedster that is due in Frankfurt next month.
Mazda has only let a couple of beans spill about the car: it's extra light weight improves handling, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions. That's all we know. But we can guess that a Miata that's missing a windshield, door handles, roof, and any interior comforts beyond seats would be a racer's dream.
Oh, but do notice that while there's no radio or speakers, the car does include a curved center console that supports the increasingly common iPhone. We'll be at Frankfurt next month making a beeline for this one. In the meantime, you can check out the images below or check out the official press release after the jump.
Gallery: Mazda Superlight Concept
[Source: Mazda]
PRESS RELEASE:
Mazda 'MX-5 Superlight version' Show Car to Premiere at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
HIROSHIMA, Japan-The Mazda MX-5 Superlight version, a show car capturing the pure essence of the world's most popular roadster, will see its world premiere at the 63rd Frankfurt Motor Show, which will be held from September 15 through 27, 2009.
After 20 years of global success, the Mazda MX-5 is the best-selling two-seat sports car in the world. At Frankfurt, Mazda will present a new take on its affordable roadster with an all-new show car, the Mazda MX-5 Superlight version, designed at Mazda's studio in Frankfurt, Germany. A pure show car, it takes the lightweight technology that Mazda is famous for to a new level, improving driving performance, handling, fuel economy and CO2 emissions. This is combined with a radical exterior design requiring no windshield, and sporty chassis settings for pure roadster driving fun.
The new Mazda MX-5 Superlight version will be unveiled at Mazda's press conference in Hall 3.1, Stand A7, on September15 at 12:45 local time.
* Officially titled the 63rd Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA); press days are Septemeber 15 and 16, and the public days are Septemeber 17 through 27.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RowFive 10:36AM (8/05/2009)
Sort of a modern-day Jag C-Type. Useless to me, but cool nonetheless.
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adam1drift 1:05PM (8/06/2009)
any car company that wants to make a speedster/roadster like this I am game!
They are soooo Cool!
dwightB 10:37AM (8/05/2009)
IMO, Mazda needs to make a version of the MX-5 that's on par with what GM CLAIMED the C5 hardtop was going to be. A stripped down, lightweight version of the existing car. Basically, imagine if a Miata and an Elise got together had a baby. Not talking about a vehicle with no windshield, but definitely a lot less "creature comforts" that tack on useless weight for those that want a true sporting feel. THAT would be something worth looking into. Oh well... I can dream, right?
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swimstarguy 8:02PM (8/05/2009)
A stripped down car would be my dream too but they make money off of adding all those creature comforts. Sure, the hardcore car fanbois would like the cars but that's a small percentage of the buyers and they wouldn't leave anyway if there's a radio.
In short: keep on dreaming.
Alex 10:54AM (8/05/2009)
Track car! The beauty of the MX-5 is that it is so affordable and reliable that just about anyone who is interested in building out a track car, can. I'm currently saving up for my track toy. If this were to see production I would be super excited.
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naggs 4:34AM (8/06/2009)
not as affordable as it used to be, not as light either
Danimal 10:58AM (8/05/2009)
There's just something about track cars like this that I love. The more impractical the better. As far as concepts go I would take this solstice (http://www.thetorquereport.com/pontiac_sema_solstice_concept_002.jpg) over the Mazda.
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Davin Black 12:16PM (8/05/2009)
I immediately thought of this concept Solstice when I saw the Mazda, and I have to agree with you. I'd take both of these over a gamut of sportscars currently offered if these saw production.
zigzagz94 11:05AM (8/05/2009)
20 years and no miata coupe for the North american market. This car would be infinately better with a true coupe (not that PRHT crap). Hell you could even charge a premium for the coupe version ala porsche cayman or lotus exige. It's great that you're concerned about dropping weight but seriously a miata coupe is long overdue.
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RowFive 11:18AM (8/05/2009)
Agree completely. I've only delayed my Miata purchase hoping for an eventual fastback or hatchback version.
Kitko 11:27AM (8/05/2009)
The MX-5 has always been a roadster, not a coupe. Full stop.
You might as well complain that it's not an 4x4 estate.
longbowmkii 11:38AM (8/05/2009)
have you even driven a miata? putting a fixed roof on it defeats the purpose. with a roof on a miata you just have a slow tiny car. the NB coupe was beautiful i will admit, but it wouldnt be anything special compared to other RWD coupes. anyways, you can get a hardtop and just keep it on all the time if you really want a coupe. other options include Z3/4 coupes.
BoxerFanatic 12:00PM (8/05/2009)
longbowmarkII...
I OWN a 99 miata. And it cowl shakes like crazy. I wish I could have an NB coupe.
It is a great little car. no doubts. but as a performance car, it would be stiffer, and even better as a coupe.
A coupe need not be heavy. steel roof spars, granted, but the skin could be composite, like SMC...
It would also negate the folding top and all of it's hardware, the net weight gain would likely be fairly minor.
And I have a solution for the "slow" bit... Mazda's own DISI TURBOCHARGED ENGINE.
If they wanted to install it, they could do so.
I have wanted a Kabura since it first appeared. I don't want an NC Miata, I'd rather have a used Boxster.
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On topic, this car looks similar to the NB-based monoposto single seater... maybe a little fanfare, and some nice looking craftsmanship... but when it comes right down to it, nothing really impactful beyond a corporate show-car. Nice to look at, but no impact on salable product.
zigzagz94 12:18PM (8/05/2009)
@longbowmkii:
"with a roof on a miata you just have a slow tiny car. the NB coupe was beautiful i will admit, but it wouldnt be anything special compared to other RWD coupes. anyways, you can get a hardtop and just keep it on all the time if you really want a coupe. other options include Z3/4 coupes."
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Wouldn't be anything special? Are you daft? Name another sub 2500lb RWD coupe for around $25k on the market right now.
Putting a removable hardtop on the car does nothing to address the weight and structural rigidity issues inherent in a convertible vehicle. A true coupe would be more rigid and possible lighter due to not needing the extra reinforcing of the convertible. Just ask Porsche how a coupe version of the boxster performs. The cayman is the best coupe in the Porsche line-up even with the intentional handicapping of horesepower.
A true coupe would be more usefull as a daily driver and a better performer on the track. You can continue sipping the convertible cool-aid but chopping the top off the car doesn't make it a better sports car.
@Kitko
"The MX-5 has always been a roadster, not a coupe. Full stop."
That's not true. Japanese market has received coupe versions of the miata in the past with the NB version looking like a mini RX-7.
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I'm not saying get rid of the convertible but just offer a coupe version as well. It will fill a niche for a sportscar beneath the RX series vehicle and provide a piston engine for those who can't bring themselves to live with the uniqueness of the rotary experience. A mazdaspeed version with the 2.3l turbo from the MS3 would be even better.
Bubba 3:02PM (8/05/2009)
Just gotta back up BoxerFanatic and zigzagz94.
I am an ex '99 MX-5 owner. Gave it up because of the cowl-shake and noise on the highway. Fantastic car, dreadful commuter.
Gimme my '99 back as a hard top that doesn't shake. I don't even need more power. The 1.8L I had was adequate.
..But please, please, keep all the electronic traction control and ABS foolishness. Part of the beauty of the MX-5 is its simplicity. Electronics are not simple.
naggs 4:40AM (8/06/2009)
i agree, convertibles are for girls
it only makes sense if they design the coupe first, then add the extra support in the floor for the convertible version
if they did it that way, they would sell 3 coupes for every convertible and more units overall
light weight coupe, rwd, manual trans, limited slip... is it really that hard to do mazda?
Bungle 11:36AM (8/05/2009)
They should make a version with integrated roll bars that protect people taller than 5' 2". Otherwise, what's the point? If they're functional, they should be FUNCTIONAL.
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longbowmkii 11:40AM (8/05/2009)
you mustve missed this bit in the press release, "A pure show car"
Bungle 12:17PM (8/05/2009)
Thanks, I did miss that part. I think I'm just bitter because I have the exact same problem in my S2000. ;-)
Level 12:31PM (8/05/2009)
out of all the roadster out there today, the MX-5/Miata would be the only one that could prob get away with selling these in numbers.....
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