What's More REALISTIC? This Rendering Or The Rumor Of The Next-Gen Mazda MX-5's WEIGHT Target?

As I have said before, one company that doesn't get enough respect is Mazda. Yeah, I said it. To be even more specific, one car that would live up to Rodney Dangerfield's motto is the MX-5 or as most people refer to it, the Miata.

Although some enthusiasts believe that the Miata is one of the best driving vehicles known to man, some also bash it. A classic example was the hell that broke loose from Chris Harris' remarks about the Miata not being so great.

Apart from that, the word on the internet street is suggesting that Mazda has ambitious plans for the next-generation vehicle, which will involve more weight reduction. With the current car weighing over 2,300 pounds, Mazda wants it below 1,800. Ambitious, to say the least.

So we've got to ask: Is the image more realistic or is the weight projection?


Mazda’s next-generation Mazda MX-5 will combine a small-capacity turbocharged four with lightweight engineering to return the two-seater in 2012/13 to its original agile sports car concept.

According to a senior insider, Mazda’s engineers have been tasked with cutting 275kg from the 1075kg ‘empty’ kerb weight (the weight without a driver) of today’s MX-5 to hit an ambitious target of 800kg.

This would be a significant step forward for a volume-production sports car. In its leanest form, the MX-5 weighed just 955kg at its 1989 debut...


[Source: Autocar]


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ceric - 7/3/2011 10:20:57 PM

+3 Boost

A car company that is aggressive is respectable.
Go Mazda.

supercarguy - 7/4/2011 1:03:56 AM

0 Boost

If they could accomplish both they would have a winner.

SteedPub - 7/4/2011 1:36:03 AM

+2 Boost

Its not impossible to reach the 1800lb number. They just need to put in some more expensive materials,jettison some heavy things like hard tops and power accessories. That's all plenty doable but don;t expect it to be a cheap car anymore.

SteedPub - 7/4/2011 1:39:58 AM

+3 Boost

My 1990 Miata weighs about 2100 lbs. and that car is a tin can that leaves you feeling very exposed in traffic. Weight savings down to 1800 lbs with today's requirements of 12 airbags and such will require mostly aluminum and carbon fiber in the structure.

0to60 - 7/4/2011 1:16:47 PM

+2 Boost

infiniti-esque

Tarzan - 7/4/2011 8:06:41 PM

-3 Boost

BMW Z4-esque

quizz - 7/6/2011 3:27:53 AM

+2 Boost

Ever increasing safety standards will add weight (and safety), so there's only so much weight you can remove in order to keep it within budget without using exotic materials. It may be cheaper to add an extra 40 HP.

holmstar - 7/6/2011 8:25:46 AM

+2 Boost

Some extra hp works well for moving in a straight line, but the miata/mx-5 has always been more about balance and handling in the corners. Weight is more important than hp in that situation, but I agree that their goal seems a bit optimistic.