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2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder Concepts Stun SEMA , Video

The Mazda MX-5 has always been about lightness. However, the NC model was getting a little chunky around the shoulder lines. The all-new 2016 Miata weighs just 2,332 lbs in US-spec form, one of the lightest cars of any kind you can buy.
2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder Concepts 7 photos
Photo: Newspress
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
Just to give you an idea, the tiny, underpowered 2016 smart fortwo is estimated to have a curb weight of a little over 2,000 lbs.

But what if things were taken even further down the lightness route? Two concept cars shown at the 2015 SEMA Show aim to answer that question.

First, there's the MX5 Spyder concept that's designed to look like a vintage convertible. Only Porsche makes this kind of car anymore, the ultra-expensive Boxster Spyder. However, we think the idea fits the Mazda MX-5 even better because it rarely reaches the sort of speeds that would shred this type of canvas tent.

Of course, the car would be mainly for show, as the hand-controlled fabric roof of the current MX-5 takes a handful of seconds to operate and weighs next to nothing. We're talking about a concept based on the kind of car that inspired the Miata in the first place, so why shouldn't it be built?

The other MX-5 concept is branded as "Speedster." It has no windshield and some sexy humps behind the seats. This seems to remind car connoisseurs of the SLR Stirling Moss and the Jaguar F-Type Project 7 study.

Both studies also feature several aero parts MX-5 owners might want to buy. Some are even made of carbon fiber.

Then again, this isn't for everybody. While there are literally a million happy Miata owners out there, some people would see a roofless MX-5 as a faker and a poser. To them, we say: just give Porsche $80,000 for one of its Boxsters if you don't like Japanese "copies."

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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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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