Mazda MX-5 Spyder is fueled by BP's isobutanol

At the 2011 SEMA, held in Las Vegas, Mazda presents a special version of the MX-5 roadster, Mazda MX-5 Spyder. The Japanese roadster is accompanied by a soft-top roof and a very aggressive look.

Mazda dropped the ride height of the vehicle which comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and Yokohama tires. The originality of the new Mazda MX-5 Spyder is the canvas roof resulted from a collaboration between the Japanese brand and Magna Car Top Systems.

Mazda MX-5 Spyder is equipped with a 2.0 liter engine and 160 horsepower. Among the technical changes worth mentioning are a special exhaust, Brembo brakes and lightweight racing battery. The interior brings little changes, but even so the seats are distinguished by the special leather used.

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PR:Beloved worldwide as the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world, with a secure spot in Guinness World Records to boot, the MX-5 Miata is the vehicle motorsports enthusiasts love to drive on the weekday streets of suburbia and the weekend roads of race tracks nationwide.

Well-known is the MX-5's single-hand-operation soft-top and segment-best 12-second Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT) that the Mazda MX-5 Spyder is a re-imagination of the roadster and features a sweeping, single-panel grenadine-red soft-top made by Haartz Corporation. Its design, a collaborative effort between MNAO Design and Magna Car Top Systems, offers an even lower slung stance of the MX-5 without sacrificing headroom. Fitted onto the roadster's already sleek and sexy "look at me" body style, the Mazda MX-5 Spyder has been painted Stratosphere White and features a Yokohama rubber-and-rims set of AO48 225/45R17 performance tires matched with 17-inch, 10-spoke ADVAN RS wheels in Gun Metal Metallic. But as the adage goes, there is more than meets the eye.

Under the hood is where the vehicle's exterior treat matches wits with an interior trick. Powered by Mazda's ever-dependable MZR 2.0-liter engine, the Mazda MX-5 Spyder is fueled by BP's isobutanol. The significance? The biofuel supports Mazda's mantra of "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom," which means crafting exciting, fun-to-drive vehicles that create minimal environmental impact. A testament to this philosophy is the Mazda/Dyson Racing entry in the American Le Mans Series. The #16 LMP1Lola vehicle features a turbocharged MZR-R 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, runs on isobutanol and beat competing larger-block V-12s to win the manufacturer, team and drivers championships for the 2011 racing season. Mazda also was given the Michelin® Green X® Challenge at the Baltimore Grand Prix, a distinction awarded to category cars that prove to be the "cleanest, fastest, most efficient" in the race.

Although similar to how ethanol is produced from agricultural feedstock, isobutanol does not compromise vehicle performance for the sake of fuel economy and can be added to the current fuel distribution infrastructure without requiring modifications in blending facilities, storage tanks and retail station pumps. Isobutanol's compatibility with existing technology and infrastructures is a significant step toward meeting the demand in renewable fuels for transportation.

Another fuel-saving, engine-efficient feature of the Mazda MX-5 Spyder is a lightweight lithium-ion racing battery made by Braille Battery. The lead-free advanced battery system is RoHS compliant and constructed of non-hazardous materials, has a high charge retention and offers a longer life cycle than comparable standard batteries. A Racing Beat header, intake and exhaust muffler as well as a MazdaSpeed coil over kit and Brembo brakes complete the vehicle's mechanics.

The cabin area is accentuated by tanned Saddle black-leather seats with Aqua leather accents and Coal Ash suede inserts. Subtle Spider Silk Gray Metallic-colored trim pieces on the doors and dash panels tastefully adorn the mostly black interior, which is finished off with customized floor mats by Star West. A MazdaSpeed short-throw shifter adds a tasty reminder to the MX-5's motorsports pedigree.

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Mazda MX-5 Spyder is fueled by BP's isobutanol

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