The current car was deemed to be too heavy. With a 2.0-litre engine, its kerb weight is 1098kg, compared with the original’s 970kg. The target is 1,000kg. This change would give the new car a figure similar to that of the recent 980kg MX-5 Superlight concept, which was the first of a series of design studies that will indicate the direction Mazda will take with the new car.
To take off the weight, the carmaker will likely install a smaller and lighter engine, which is believed to copy the original’s 1.6-liter capacity. The source added that both the 1.6 and 1.8-litre engines are being tested. The company is looking to undercut the current 2.0-litre unit but deliver the same 160-170bhp power range. Virtually unchanged are the dimensions of the car’s platform and wheelbase. However, Mazda is considering whether to reduce the front and rear overhangs.