Mazda MX-5 replacement to be equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine

(Current MX-5 pictured above)
The next-generation Mazda MX-5will return to its original sports car concept as it will be lightweight. It will also be fitted with a turbocharged engine. This is what Mazda engineers should have done much earlier when the 2nd generation MX-5 put on more weight to pass crash tests for the North American market.  Mazda has hopes for the 2012/13 of the two-seater vehicle to be a major step forward for a volume-production sports car. A source said that Mazda’s engineers are tasked to shave off 275kg from the 1075kg ‘empty’ kerb weight (the weight without a driver) of the existing MX-5 to reach a target of 800kg. Mazda will undertake several ways to reduce the weight. It will reduce the weight of as many mechanical parts as it can; it will use lightweight materials, and it will even remove some features. There will then be a “virtuous circle” wherein a lighter car would require lighter transmission, smaller brakes, lighter hefty suspension, etc. Instead of the 1.8 and 2.0-litre engines, the next MX-5 will use small direct-injection four-cylinder turbocharged engine of roughly 1.5 litres. It will have variable cam phasing, lighter, low-friction reciprocating parts, and it may even have a new exhaust manifold design for a more effective exhaust gas evacuation. Power will be up with even more nimble handling…..like the 1st generation MX-5!