MX-5 Spyder and MX-5 Speedster concepts debut at 2015 SEMA show in Las Vegas; Mazda North America collaborated with various aftermarket parts suppliers to create both concepts
The 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas sees the debut of two design concepts based on the all-new Mazda MX-5: The MX-5 Spyder and MX-5 Speedster concepts take the MX-5’s lightweight fun-to-drive roadster a step further, reducing even more weight while encouraging open-air driving.
Spyder (left) and Speedster (right) are undeniably attractive Mazda concepts
Designers drew inspiration from vintage roadsters. The MX-5 Spyder features a 'bikini top', Mercury Silver exterior, carbon fibre aero kit and grille intake, lightweight 17-inch Yokohama Advan Racing RS II wheels and a Spinneybeck Prima natural full-grain leather interior. The MX-5 Speedster, meanwhile, pares the roadster back to the bare essentials — it even has a deflector in place of the windscreen — for an old school wind-in-the-hair sports car experience. Mazda took its weight-cutting passion to extremes with for example carbon fibre doors and seats as well as custom 16-inch Rays 57 Extreme Gram Lights wheels. The Speedster tips the scales at only 943 kg, and is also 30 mm lower than the production MX-5 thanks to an adjustable coilover suspension.
“Both MX-5 Spyder and MX-5 Speedster are uncompromising designs that highlight the core strengths of MX-5,” said Ken Saward, design manager at Mazda North American Operations. He and his colleagues at Mazda collaborated with various aftermarket parts suppliers and performance shops to create the two concepts. “With the all-new 2016 MX-5, we have a clean sheet to show how the aftermarket can go wild on our flagship sports car while staying true to its mission.”
The MX-5 Spyder and MX-5 Speedster are on display at Mazda’s stand in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Centre.
