For decades, Mazda has been methodically trimming weight from its cars under what it calls the Gram Strategy. The idea is simple but thorough: shave mass from every piece, from the body and engine to fasteners, seats, and interior hardware. The aim is sharper handling and a more engaging drive, and that focus comes through in how these cars react to the smallest input.

The philosophy dates back to the 1960s with the compact Mazda R360. It later shaped icons like the RX-7, which at 1,310 kg undercut rivals including the Toyota Supra and Mitsubishi 3000GT. That commitment to lightness hasn’t wavered, and the consistency shows.

One of the clearest examples remains the Mazda MX-5. In its fourth generation, engineers specified lightweight wheels with four lugs, reworked the mirrors and seats, and even pared down adjustment levers. They used an aluminum engine block, plastic intake manifolds, and plastic valve covers to shed more grams. Mazda was also among the early adopters of ultra-high-strength steels, boosting rigidity without piling on weight—a trade that keeps the car honest and responsive.

The Gram Strategy doesn’t stop at sports cars. While developing the Mazda 2, engineers cut more than 60 kg from the body, chassis, and engine by reevaluating each component without a fixed weight target. Today, this approach underpins Skyactiv technologies and runs through the entire lineup, crossovers included. It’s why Mazda still stands out in the sports-car space, leaning on balance and lightness rather than raw power—an approach that feels increasingly refreshing in a spec-sheet era.