Which CarbonMiata Material?
A plain-English guide to the composites we use — and how to pick the right one for your build.
Pick By Build, Not By Hype
Carbon fibre isn’t automatically right for every part. A heavy carbon hood that flexes is worse than a light fibreglass one that doesn’t. The right material depends on the part, how it’s used, what it sees in service, and your budget. Here’s how the four materials we ship compare — and where each one earns its place on a Miata.
Carbon Fibre (Twill / Forged)
The premium structural option.
Real woven carbon fibre laid up with epoxy resin and clear-coated for UV protection. Lightest, strongest, and the visual benchmark for show and competition builds. The twill weave shows a classic 2×2 diamond pattern; forged carbon shows a marbled chip texture.
Fibreglass (FRP)
The proven workhorse.
Glass fibres in a polyester or vinylester resin matrix. Heavier than carbon but significantly stronger and more impact-tolerant than ABS. Comes in primer-grey ready for paint — most aero kits, replica panels and street-tuned hoods are FRP for good reason.
ABS Plastic
The OE-style replacement.
Injection-moulded thermoplastic — what Mazda used for many factory trim parts. Light, dimensionally precise, paint-friendly, and easy to replace. We use ABS for interior trim, dash kits, mirror caps and other parts where exact factory fit matters more than ultimate strength.
Carbon Kevlar Hybrid
Maximum impact resistance.
A weave of carbon and yellow Kevlar (aramid) fibres. Slightly heavier than pure carbon but dramatically more resistant to splintering and stone strikes — the right call for a rally splitter, a track diffuser, or any panel that lives close to the ground.
At A Glance
| Material | Weight | Strength | Cost | UV / Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Fibre | Lightest | Highest | €€€€ | Excellent (clear-coated) |
| Carbon Kevlar | Light | Very high | €€€€ | Excellent |
| Fibreglass (FRP) | Medium | High | €€ | Excellent (once painted) |
| ABS Plastic | Light | Moderate | € | Good |
Still Not Sure?
Tell us your generation, the part, and how the car gets used — daily, track, show — and we’ll tell you which material we’d pick.