It might seem absurd, especially with all the modern safety requirements and crash-testing regulations to adhere to but the rumourmill is already shifting into overdrive with news that Mazda is targeting a weight of 800kg for the next generation Mazda MX-5. To put it in context, that would make the next gen MX-5 a whopping 180kg lighter than the first generation model.
Engineers are looking at high-strength steel and a smaller engine as the key to achieving that lofty target. Reports indicate a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-banger with direct injection could find its way under the hood of the car that would be considerably narrower than the current model.
The dashboard will also have to do without a glove box and the traditional printed owner’s manual will be made available in soft copy on a USB pendrive for the owner.
In all honesty, the weight target does seem rather out of reach but the engineers and designers are confident that the next MX-5 will be closer in weight to the first generation model rather than the bloated current one.
Source: Inside Line
