Tuesday 3rd November 2015

Mazda MX-5 concepts at SEMA

Don't worry, they're not turbocharged on huge rims; one weighs less than 950kg...

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The SEMA show ranks as a guilty pleasure round here, because in amongst the excess and the wild paint jobs there are some really exciting modified cars. See the Supra-engined, manual Lexus for example, or the 1,000hp Hyundai Genesis.

Here though we have two concepts with not a jot more power than standard. The MX-5 Speedster and Spyder have been created by Mazda to "take the MX-5's lightweight fun-to-drive roadster doctrine a step further." This sounds like a very good idea...

Sadly the pictures released at present aren't brilliant but hopefully more will follow soon. The spec is exciting enough anyway. The Speedster - as seen on the left of the half and half image - is clearly reminiscent of the previous generation MX-5 Superlight concept, suggesting yet again that Mazda is keen to produce a properly pared-back roadster. Like the old car, this Speedster has a tiny deflector in place of the windscreen and strives to save weight from every possible area. This one has carbon doors and seats plus - wait for it - 'Rays 57 Extreme Gram Lights' wheels. It sits 30mm lower than a 2.0-litre MX-5 on KW suspension, which will no doubt work wonders for the slightly awkward stance and occasionally vague handling of the standard car. Mazda claims it weighs just 943kg.

The Spyder on the other hand is something entirely new for Mazda, with inspiration said to be taken from vintage roadsters. So the 'bikini top' roof is brown and there's very luxurious Spinneybeck leather throughout the interior. There are also Yokohama 17-inch wheels, a carbon aero kit and adjustable coilovers.

Now the official line from Mazda and its US design manager Ken Saward is that the new MX-5 and these cars "show how the aftermarket can go wild on our flagship sports car while staying true to its mission." But why let the aftermarket have all the fun when you could build one Mazda? Or maybe just a few in a limited production run? A Speedster with something in the region of 200hp would be rather special...

 

[bencollins]

The eternal question never really answered - why dont Mazda mass market an MGB GT varant -just a few half arsed attempts over the years.

A couple of extra body pressings, "Piff, paff, puff"! lots more sales.

[Ozzie Osmond]

IMO Mazda know the reason they build the most successful sportscar of all time is it's built to a specific market at a specific price. No MX5 buyer ever has to put up with nonsense of, "Ah, but you've only got the cheap one - the 3 litre V6 at twice the price is just soooo much better."

[burningdinos]

bencollins said:

The eternal question never really answered - why dont Mazda mass market an MGB GT varant -just a few half arsed attempts over the years.

A couple of extra body pressings, "Piff, paff, puff"! lots more sales.

Nothing they haven't tried

Gen 2


Gen 1

[300bhp/ton]

I like the fat tyre look with the side wall writing. Now that I'd pay extra for if you could spec a UK model with them.

[unsprung]

"...then add lightness."

[Dale487]

burningdinos said:

Nothing they haven't tried

Gen 2


Gen 1

I've always felt the same, but upon the release of the folding hard top model that any hope of it being made was dead in the water - The Mk1 looks tonnes better than the Mk2

Love the speedster (I'm not sure how will it would work in Manchester though - bath tub?)

[The Hypno-Toad]

Like both of them but the pair of them are as about as practical as a chocolate fire guard.

However the silver/brown hood and leather/ big wheel combo would be very easy to do as a special edition on the standard car.

[5harp3y]

i want this so very much

[vz-r_dave]

Both brilliant looking!

[unsprung]

The Hypno-Toad said:

Like both of them but the pair of them are as about as practical as a chocolate fire guard.

Wrap me in aluminium foil: I'm going in! But, seriously, like most here on PH, I'd love to have a go in either of these concept cars.

[Fury1630]

"suggesting yet again that Mazda is keen to produce a properly pared-back roadster. Like the old car, this Speedster has a tiny deflector in place of the windscreen and strives to save weight from every possible area....... Mazda claims it weighs just 943kg."

So, only 1/3 of a TONNE heavier than my Fisher Fury which has a proper screen, wipers, Peugeot 205 wheels soft top, side screens ...............

[Happyjap]

Most venerable sir, I thank you for this article. As does the lotus flower grow above and below the water mine so does autos have different standards and for me Mazda has always been a trusted and dear mode of movement.

[Itsallicanafford]

^^ i love Happyjap..

They did this whole speedster thing concept with the NC, no chance they will make it into production, none whatsoever.
Thread end

[redroadster]

Fury1630 said:

"suggesting yet again that Mazda is keen to produce a properly pared-back roadster. Like the old car, this Speedster has a tiny deflector in place of the windscreen and strives to save weight from every possible area....... Mazda claims it weighs just 943kg."

So, only 1/3 of a TONNE heavier than my Fisher Fury which has a proper screen, wipers, Peugeot 205 wheels soft top, side screens ...............

What do you expect do you really think the Mazda is as poorly made as a fury ?

[Burnham]

We'll, if Mazda don't build either of these then I simply won't buy one.

If you get my drift.

They would be great I'm sure (so long as you had a garage)!

[voltcontrol]

That aquamarine (?) colour needs to be added to the options pronto.

If it could be ordered with that and have an f type inspired tintop i'd order one yesterday.

Saw a red one on the road yesterday, missed 3 exits because of it. Very well done Mazda. We need more of these on the road.

[burningdinos]

Dale487 said:

I've always felt the same, but upon the release of the folding hard top model that any hope of it being made was dead in the water - The Mk1 looks tonnes better than the Mk2

Love the speedster (I'm not sure how will it would work in Manchester though - bath tub?)

I like both, but I agree the mk1 looks better - it has a strong "junior RX-7" vibe, whereas the mk2 looks more plain

[hornetrider]

The Speedster looks fracking awesome.

[Tuvra]

I am rediculously fussy when it comes to cars, I normally think "I love that, if only X was like Y then It would be perfect" (Its usually colour, wheel or wheel colour related), however, I could take this as it comes:

Perfect - providing it came with power/weight of the last gen TVR's

[Ozzie Osmond]

To my eye the styling on these is derivative. The front looks like an F-type and the side looks like the old BMW Z3.

Mind you, when AC built the Mustang engined Ace back in the 1990s it looked a bit like a giant MX5,
http://www.brooklandsace.co.uk/