New Mazda MX5: A Successful Diet Programme - Part 3

Mazda Press Release: Part 3
14 October 2005
Source Mazda UK

Through the use of high-strength steel, the body shell is now 47 per cent stiffer for torsional [twisting] rigidity and 22 percent for flexural [bending] rigidity – than the second-generation MX-5, an improvement that enhances both driving enjoyment and occupant safety.

Mazda’s Gram Strategy – Main Components that are Lighter on the new Mazda MX-5 versus the Previous Model

• High-strength and ultra high-strength steel in the body and floor assembly -10 kg
• Aluminium block of the 2.0-litre engine -5.4 kg
• Bracketless power steering pump and air conditioning compressor -3.2 kg
• Hollow front stabiliser -2.4 kg
• High-strength steel seat frames -2.4 kg per seat
• Modifications to the steering system -0.6 kg
• Plastic intake manifold -2.4 kg
• Plastic cylinder head cover -1.3 kg
• Aluminium front suspension lower control arms -2.3 kg
• Aluminium front suspension upper control arms -1.5 kg
• Aluminium rear brake callipers -1.5 kg
• Aluminium rear bearing support -1.75 kg
• Aluminium boot lid -2.5 kg
• New control units for ABS and dynamic stability control -1.1 kg
• Lighter cloth top (including hollow B-pillar brace) –200/ -400 grams
• New rearview mirror -84 grams
  

Mazda Invested More Weight in the Following Safety Components

• Strengthened A-pillar +5.4 kg
• New side-impact protection in the doors +1.0 kg
• New bulkhead behind the seats +12.8 kg
• Side airbags +2.3 kg