Frankfurt Preview: Mazda MX-5 Superlight Images Leaked

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Just ahead of the car's official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show tomorrow, images and details of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight have leaked onto the web.

Weighing just 2,194 lbs (995 kg), down from the stock 2,381 (1,080 kg), the car sheds roughly 200 lbs of weight.

Mazda says the concept car was designed to capture “the pure essence of the world's most popular roadster, the Mazda MX-5,” and has included plenty of motorsports design cues including carbon fiber racing seats and plenty of carbon fiber details inside.

Power comes from a 124hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder (rather than the 169hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder currently offered in North America), mated to a Mazdaspeed cold air intake and exhaust, allowing the car to hit 62 mph in 8.9 seconds while getting 44.8 mpg.

Interestingly the Superlight's track is 50mm wider than the stock car and the Bilstein suspension sits 30mm lower on 17-inch wheels.

The MX-5 Superlight is reported to be the first of several concept cars that will shape the direction of the next MX-5 Miata. Mazda wants the car to return to its light-weight roots with good handling and fuel-economy, while keeping all the car's fun-to-drive aspects - hence the design. And by equipping the concept car with a smaller engine than the chassis is currently offered with we have to think this is a big hint that Mazda will down-size the next engine of the MX-5 - with a turbocharged 4-cylinder a strong possibility.

More: Frankfurt Preview: Mazda MX-5 Superlight Images Leaked on AutoGuide.com