Less is More, based on this three words Mazda's European design team has built the radical and sporty MX-5 Superlight show car. Already publicly unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor show, the new vehicle represents the evolution of the MX-5 roadster's formula pared down to the pure.

The new roofless superlight Mazda is set to provide a true sports car experience with its lively MZR 1.8-litre petrol engine, which develops 93 kW/126 PS of maximum power at 6,500 rpm, combined with a radical exterior design requiring no windshield, and sporty chassis settings. Although Mazda have no plans to manufacture this car, the new two-seater is fully dedicated on Mazda's fun-to-drive aspect. Light as a feather - below 1000 kg, the newly developed MX-5 Superlight provides better driving dynamics and fuel efficiency.

"I've dreamed of building a Mazda MX-5 with this kind of radical form for a long time," says Peter Birtwhistle, Mazda Motor Europe's Chief Designer, referring to the project. "Now that weight reduction has become a dominant factor in automotive development, the time is ripe for it. We show how lightweight a car today can be."

Built without a windshield, the allweather production roadster has mutated into a driving machine that lets sports car enthusiasts enjoy the natural surroundings unfiltered and tangible. A specially created roll-over bars improves the car's aerodynamic efficiency and prevent wind turbulence around the heads of the passengers, can't deny their sporty-look either.

Without windshield, the Mazda MX-5 Superlight obviously don't need wipers, and because the roadster is completely open-design finished the outer door handles are needless either. A single, filigree aluminium, wide-angle mirror gives a good view of the road behind. It's placed inside an extension of the bonnet. The front and the rear lights are the same as those mounted on the factory model with additional LED lamps at the front, the brake lights are wisely placed at the back of each roll-over bar, which contribute to the roadster's sporty look.

Interior design is characterized by the purity of the roadster's exterior vision and it is conceived to contribute to reducing vehicle weight.

Mazda MX-5 Superlight Frankfurt (2009)
Mazda MX-5 Superlight Frankfurt (2009) - picture 1 of 5
Mazda MX-5 Superlight Frankfurt (2009) - picture 2 of 5
Mazda MX-5 Superlight Frankfurt (2009) - picture 3 of 5
Mazda MX-5 Superlight Frankfurt (2009) - picture 4 of 5
Mazda MX-5 Superlight Frankfurt (2009) - picture 5 of 5

Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009)
Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009) - picture 1 of 48
Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009) - picture 2 of 48
Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009) - picture 3 of 48
Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009) - picture 4 of 48
Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009) - picture 5 of 48
Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009) - picture 6 of 48
Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009) - picture 7 of 48
Mazda MX-5 Superlight (2009) - picture 8 of 48