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It's back to basics for sportscar legend Mazda - the Japanese firm will premiere a super-light version of its best selling MX-5 sports car at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Dubbed the Mazda MX-5 Superlight, the concept celebrates 20 years of success with an open-topped, no-frills design focusing on affordable driving fun.

Created by Mazda’s studio in Oberursel, Germany, the two-seat roadster has been pared back to the bare essentials.

As these official Mazda pictures demonstrate, the Superlight concept is a roofless speedster offering only minimal protection from the elements. The cabin is a race inspired affair in keeping with the radical exterior.

A spiritual successor to the dramatic RenaultSport Spyder, Mazda claims that the Superlight concept takes the lightweight nature of the MX-5 to a whole new level, so expect extensive use of exotic materials amongst other weight saving measures.

Engine output has not been revealed, however the radical weight loss alone would make faster than your regular MX-5. Options open to engineers include the turbocharged 2.3-litre unit that offers up to 260bhp in the Mazda 3 MPS

In addition to the performance benefits of lightweight construction, Mazda is keen to stress the fuel saving and emission reductions possible with a lighter vehicle.

SLICK, LIGHT AND SLIPPERY: Mazda'S MX-5 Superlight show car has no external handles to disturb the airflow over the body and the specially-shaped scuttles obviate the need for a windshield.