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Despite having tons of new gadgets and technology, the new Mazda MX-5 roadsters are only 10kg heavier than the previous generation.
This bucks the trend of normal car development: New safety equipment and comfort features that normally are introduced on newer models invariably result in the cars gaining weight. For the MX-5, however, this would be unacceptible. The concept of the nimble mx-5 roadster is based around light weight, rear-wheel-drive and maneuverability (or "chuckability", among friends of the MX-5, after its excellent ability of being "chucked" around corners at speed) for affordable roadster fun, rather than relying on brute force.
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As such, the Mazda development was focused on creating a light-weight car, but also to create a better roadster than the previous generation. Despite adding side air-bags, larger wheels, more powerful engines, more standard equipment, and a stronger body shell, the MX-5 roadster is still a light-weight.
Car-dieting gone a bit silly
Much of the weight has been saved by using aluminium. Among others, the boot lid, bonnet, suspension components and brake parts are created out of the light-weight metal.
So far, all is fine, but then Mazda goes silly: They decided to re-design the side mirrors to save 84 grams (that’s about the same as a king-size chocolate bar). Apparently, the engineers came up with nearly 600 ideas to save weight, which would have made the new car a full 43.5 kg (7 stone) lighter than its predecessor. According to mazda, "this radical diet was not completely implemented for reasons of long-term durability and/or due to safety considerations". We think it would probably mean using titanium and other expensive bits, which would have ruined the bottom line of the MX-5: A fun, affordable mini-sports car for the masses.