Tuesday, November 1, 2011
SEMA: Mazda MX-5 Miata Spyder and Super 20 Concepts land in Las Vegas
Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Convertible, Performance, Mazda, Design/Style
Mazda has given SEMA goers something to get excited about with a pair of MX-5 Miata concepts. The MX-5 Miata Spyder Concept has done away with the standard car's folding soft top or retractable hard top mechanism in favor of a lightweight grenadine-red canvas covering à la Porsche's Boxster Spyder. The look lends the already lithe roadster an even more svelte appearance, and the Spyder's 17-inch Advan alloys and Mazdaspeed coilovers ensure that the driver should have plenty of fun when the road turns twisty. Mazda has also rolled in quite a few excellent details, including etched brushed stainless Spyder badging on the front fenders and a clean MX-5 Spyder logo on the passenger-side dash.
While the 2.0-liter MZR four-cylinder underhood looks familiar, Mazda says the MX-5 Spyder runs on isobutanol, the same biofuel that powers in Mazda's/Dyson Racing ALMS car. To further the company's "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom" effort, the Spyder also has a lightweight lithium ion battery, among other changes.
Does the Spyder have a chance at production? Well, probably not the isobutanol powertrain, but a lighter model with a similar top configuration might have a shot. As Mazda's design director, Derek Jenkins, notes "...because the stock models are extraordinarily versatile, who's to say some elements of these SEMA concepts can't be ready for public consumption?" Sign us up.
The MX-5 Super 20 - which debuted last year - brings more of a motorsports flavor to the convertible. A fixed hardtop has replaced the standard folding mechanism and the interior has been stripped bare in favor of a full roll cage. Additional power comes courtesy of a DPTUNE ECU reflash, a 304-stainless steel header and exhaust. Racing Beat hollow front and rear sway bars, Mazdaspeed coilovers and a Mazdaspeed shock tower brace help lend sharper handling, too.
Continue reading Mazda MX-5 Miata Spyder and Super 20 Concepts land in Las Vegas
Mazda MX-5 Miata Spyder and Super 20 Concepts land in Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsCharles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick
F1 chiefs to discuss calendar concerns
Formula 1 chiefs are to discuss the 2012 calendar later this year, amid concern about the status of some of the races that are on next year's schedule. AUTOSPORT has learned that talks about the position of the 2012 Bahrain and Korean Grands Prix have been added to the agenda for Thursday's meeting of the F1 Commission in Geneva
NASCAR.COM LIVE Launches on Google TV
NASCAR.com Live ScreenshotNASCAR.COM today announced the launch of NASCAR.COM LIVE, a new app available on Google TV, the open TV platform that brings entertainment from the Web to your TV. Through NASCAR.COM LIVE, fans can access interactive features including HD video on-demand clips, driver profiles, standings and schedules for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide...more»
Karthikeyan vindicated by performance
Narain Karthikeyan believes he proved a point with his drive in the Indian Grand Prix after coming home in 17th position. The Indian, making a one-off return to racing in place of regular HRT driver Tonio Liuzzi, crossed the finish line ahead of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo and also the Lotus of Jarno Trulli
Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)