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Mazda Developing Cheap Carbon Fiber for Next MX-5

We honestly don't know what's cooler, the fact that Mazda is working on cheap carbon fiber or that the next MX-5 will be even lighter. Can you decide?
Mazda Developing Cheap Carbon Fiber for Next MX-5 7 photos
Photo: Newspress USA
2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder Concepts2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder Concepts2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder Concepts2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder Concepts2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder Concepts2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder Concepts
A few Mazda models come with fake carbon trim inside, on the dash and steering wheel. But apparently, the Japanese automaker is developing the genuine deal to help the MX-5 save even more weight.

We a short drive in the 1.5-liter base model and in no way did it feel too heavy for its 131 horsepower. Yet shaving a few kilos can't hurt either, right?

If you're over 6ft tall and feel crammed inside this thing, we have bad news. They like it this size and won't add any inches anywhere when the presumed NE version debuts, sometime in 2021.

"The size is right, but in the future, lightweight materials will be very important and will be used in this car. Now carbon fiber is very expensive, but we have in development affordable carbon fiber, to the MX-5 will be lighter in the future,"
said the MX-5's program manager, Nobuhiro Yamamoto.

In a recent interview with Autocar, the official also addressed the issue of the much-loved Speedster and Spyder concepts. Yamamoto said building them is completely out of the question. At least we go the Retractable Fastback, which is lovely.

"We have dreams, our customers have dreams. An open car is very emotional, and you have a good feeling driving this. But it's not feasible and is a very difficult car [to make]. It's a dream car," says the sportscar program manager.

Still, Mazda is hardly standing still right now. Thanks to the G-Vector Control, they will handle better on the road, and intuitive AWD will help drivers deal with the snow with confidence. And let's not forget the RX-Vision concept.

Our money is on the fact that cheap carbon fiber is, in fact, being developed for a high-end sportscar. It makes a lot more sense there than with the bare-bones Miata and its tiny engine.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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