In November 1983 Mazda launched an innovative new programme, "Offline 55". The aim was to encourage revolution and experimentation in product development. In essence, we would see a vision of the future - and how bright it looked. Of all the proposals that were considered, one in particular stood out: the LWS. Also known as a light-weight sports car.

Work progressed in both California and Tokyo, under the watchful eye of programme manager Masakatsu-san. From this competitive beginning, a close race was won by the Californian team's front-engine rear-wheel drive roadster - code-named P279. Next a running prototype, the V705, was engineered and built by Britain's International Automotive Design and, in 1985, the world's one and only V705 took to the roads of Santa Barbara, USA.

In February 1986, Toshihiko Hirai was appointed Product Programme Manager for the production phase. He had quite a challenge - to rethink the steel backbone frame and plastic body. Meanwhile Tom Matano and Koichi Hayashi were making styling adjustments in the US. Their work was to become the unique design of the Mazda MX-5.