Latest News > Mazda shedding weight

Back in the 1970’s, when the original fuel crisis hit the united states, car manufactures raced to design and build smaller, more efficient cars to meet the demands of the economy. The result of this was a range of front wheel drive and ill-packaged cars which are best forgotten as history. However, since the mid 1980’s many consumers and manufactures were in favour of the bigger and heavier sedan styled cars. Popularity grew at a steady rate until the mid 90’s when weight became an issue again.

Product development chief Robert Davis states “Mazda is no different than the competition when it comes to added tonnage, each product cycle results in weight gain of about 80 pounds.” However a special weight loss program is due to commence beginning in 2011 as Mazda has revealed its plans to drop the weight of a typical New Mazda car by 220 pounds or more.

To solve this problem Mazda is planning to address the issue from several angles including the use of more aluminium and high strength steel in the design and reducing the overall length of vehicles by approximately three inches or more. In addition Mazda are developing smaller, more efficient power trains and transmission plants which will help reduce weight and reduce power loss. The engineers at Mazda are also exploring advanced technology to solve problems such as bonding aluminium to steel. The objective of this weight loss program is to increase fuel economy and power delivery, estimated gains are around 3-5% increase, without sacrificing effective safety precautions.

However Mazda isn’t planning to apply the program to the entire line up all at once. Instead the schedule will be addressed as certain models are opted for redesign. It is rumoured that the first in line for the weight loss is the already feather weight Mazda MX-5 Miata, but without sacrificing the brands Zoom Zoom roots. The weight loss will substantially improve the driveability, economy and running costs of the new Mazda cars, without losing out on structural rigidity and safety.

We will keep you up to date with the latest developments in Mazda’s new weight loss schemes.