Mazda’s new MX-5 has gained 10kg in weight despite the car going through a painstaking ‘gram strategy diet’.

Each part of the model was looked at to see if it could be reduced in weight gram by gram.

By weight, 58% of all body components of the new Mazda MX-5 are made of ultra high-strength steel or high-strength steel, which save 10 kg. Using aluminium for the bonnet, boot lid, the powerplant frame, front suspension control arms, rear hub carriers, rear brake callipers and rear suspension spring seats reduces weight even further. The front suspension control arms and the hollow front stabiliser alone cut 6.2 kg of unnecessary weight at the front axle.

The areas which gained the weight were all safety related. They included: a strengthened A-pillar, new side impact protection, new bulkheads behind the seats and side airbags.