Mazda MX-5 Superlight – Winds of change

Mazda has never been afraid to innovate. Take the rotary engine, for example, or even the MX-5, a one-of-a-kind roadster. Other manufacturers usually try to copy rivals’ successes, but the MX-5 roadster remains exclusively Mazda’s since the departure of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. To mark the 20 year anniversary of the MX-5, Mazda’s stylists and engineers designed a very original version of their famous cabriolet: the Superlight.

Why the Superlight? Firstly, it’s a throwback to its original inspiration, British sports cars. Also this concept car was developed from lighter versions of windshield-less sports cars from back in the day and made lighter and more aerodynamic to improve performance.

For the engineers at the Hiroshima-based company, the Superlight is the chance to meet the demands of our era. These days, the world of automobiles is changing quickly. Energy efficiency, environmental protection and safety, along with dynamism and driving pleasure, define the development of tomorrow’s cars. Wanting to make pure driving pleasure the priority and trying their best to meet the challenges of our time, Mazda’s engineers focussed on reducing the weight. For the most part, this goal was already reached with the original Miata, but the MX-5 takes to the next level. Now, to mark this roadster’s 20 year anniversary, they have pushed the envelope a little further with a more radical version of this iconic roadster.

The roadster in its purest form

By reducing the MX-5 to its most simple expression, the design team was looking to create a pure roadster. When developing the production MX-5, the brand’s engineers focussed mainly on two aspects. On the one hand they considered the relationship between the driver and passenger. On the other hand was the vehicle, its dynamics on the road and the convertible experience. The goal of the MX-5 Superlight was to strengthen these connections even more. By removing the windshield, the retractable top and its structure, the designers took a big step in the right direction. Like the MX-5 Superlight, the production model of this roadster is made for the road, which allows all sport car diehards to fully enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about any obstacles. Not only will the driver and passenger feel the wind washing over them, but they can also take in all the sounds, smells and temperature changes in their immediate surroundings. Finally, the strong connection between the driver and the technology creates a feeling of oneness.

The designers at Mazda gave their concept car specific roll bars, which set themselves apart not only by their look but also by their efficiency in terms of aerodynamics. Thus, these safety features offer essential anti-roll protection, especially since the vehicle is without a windshield. Better still, they effectively reduce air turbulence around the heads of the occupants – who would be required by law to wear helmets nonetheless. By removing all equipment unnecessary for driving and replacing the essential features with components compatible with this vehicle’s exclusive concept, the designers gave the MX-5 Superlight a more polished personality.

Dynamic ride

While the Mazda MX-5 Superlight could be marketed as it is, there are no plans for a production model in the near future. But we can always hope... The factory standard model has a very sophisticated and dignified 4-cylinder 1.8-litre MZR engine paired with the five-speed manual gearbox. It features a maximum power of 126 hp at 6,500 rpm. It owes its sound to its Mazdaspeed exhaust and its Mazdaspeed air system made of polished aluminum and covered with a layer of an antichafing compound, both specially designed for the MX-5 Superlight. These systems help increase the air flow in the intake and decrease back pressure of the exhaust gas.

The engine’s sound tends to make you think that it has more than just four cylinders. When accelerating, the muffler makes a powerful thumping noise, a sports car signature sound that is generally reserved for far more powerful engines.  Also designed to offer a more dynamic ride, this roadster inherits four-piston fixed calliper brakes paired with perforated discs which, because of their size, necessitated 50 mm more space in the wheel wells.

Its optimized chassis teams up with combined coil spring suspensions, Bilstein® B16 shock absorbers and Eibach® stabilizer bars that give the MX-5 Superlight’s body a ground clearance 30 mm lower than that of the production model. However, it has the same hydraulic assisted rack and pinion steering as the regular model. The dependability of its steering and the precise shifting of its five-speed manual gearbox have made this roadster famous the world over for years. By the way, it’s kind of strange that there isn’t a six-speed gearbox. The engineers are vague as to why this is...When it was suggested to them that it was to reduce the weight, they smiled. By the same token, this model also comes standard with 205/45 R17 tires and its alloy rims (version 2.0) that are among the lightest on the market with a weight of less than 8 kg.

Although this model isn’t expected to be put on the market, let’s hope Mazda pushes its eccentricity a little more and produces a small series – let’s say 500 cars – of this one-of-a-kind roadster. Solo competition, performance lapping or even SCCA race enthusiasts will really enjoy it. You can always hope. It raises the drive pleasure bar several notches up and proves to us that exhilarating sport capability doesn’t require 400 hp under the hood and a $100,000 price tag.