Mazda unveiled its MX-5 Superlight concept roadster at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Though pictures were leaked ahead of the show, seeing the Superlight version of the MX-5 in person was still impressive.

Created by Mazda’s European design team to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first MX-5, the Superlight version weights 2,194 lbs (995 kg), down from the stock 2,381 (1,080 kg).

Power comes from a 124hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder (rather than the 169hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder currently offered in North America), mated to a Mazdaspeed cold air intake and exhaust, allowing the car to hit 62 mph in 8.9 seconds while getting 44.8 mpg.

Gallery: Mazda MX-5 Superlight

Just ahead of the car’s official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show tomorrow, images and details of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight have leaked onto the web.

Weighing just 2,194 lbs (995 kg), down from the stock 2,381 (1,080 kg), the car sheds roughly 200 lbs of weight.

Mazda says the concept car was designed to capture “the pure essence of the world’s most popular roadster, the Mazda MX-5,” and has included plenty of motorsports design cues including carbon fiber racing seats and plenty of carbon fiber details inside.

Power comes from a 124hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder (rather than the 169hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder currently offered in North America), mated to a Mazdaspeed cold air intake and exhaust, allowing the car to hit 62 mph in 8.9 seconds while getting 44.8 mpg.

Interestingly the Superlight’s track is 50mm wider than the stock car and the Bilstein suspension sits 30mm lower on 17-inch wheels.

The MX-5 Superlight is reported to be the first of several concept cars that will shape the direction of the next MX-5 Miata. Mazda wants the car to return to its light-weight roots with good handling and fuel-economy, while keeping all the car’s fun-to-drive aspects – hence the design. And by equipping the concept car with a smaller engine than the chassis is currently offered with we have to think this is a big hint that Mazda will down-size the next engine of the MX-5 – with a turbocharged 4-cylinder a strong possibility.

GALLERY: Mazda Miata MX-5 Superlight

[Source: AutoCar]

To help celebrate the MX-5 Miata’s 20th anniversary, Mazda will show the MX-5 Superlight concept at the Frankfurt auto Show this September. And to wet our appetites, the Japanese automaker has released a few renderings of just what this speedster will look like.

An homage to early race cars, the Superlight has no windscreen or door handles and will be significantly lighter than the standard MX5. Mazda wants to illustrate how through the reduction of weight it can improve performance, handling and fuel-economy. There is no word on an engine but it’s likely to use either Mazda’s 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

It’s unlikely the MX-5 Superlight will ever see production, at least not as a road car. There is, however, the possibility that Mazda could build a limited number of the cars for track use, much like how Lotus built 2-Eleven for the same purpose.

GALLERY: Mazda MX-5 Superlight

[Source: Car Magazine]

Of course, this isn’t any old milestone; the MX-5 has been around for 20 years exactly – worming its way into our hearts since its debut in 1989. To some it is single handedly responsible for reviving the small sports car market that many thought had died with the British motor industry.

The chances of the MX-5 Superlight being put into production are, we think, remote. But then you never can tell with companies like Mazda.