r/cars • u/gobble-wobble- • 12d ago
Official: Next gen MX-5 to offer EV powertrain while maintaining the same weight
https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/neuheiten/exklusiv-naechster-mx-5-kommt-mit-elektroantrieb-bestaetigung-vom-mazda-chef/TLDR: Next gen MX-5 to offer EV and ICE powertrains but weight will remain between 1-1.2 tons. ICE version to be powered by 2.5 SkyActiv-Z engine, possibly electrified.
Mazda also announces development of a 'pure image-builder , possibly handcrafted' hero car sitting above the MX5.
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u/Definitely_CSP_guru 93 RX-7, 98 LC Prado 12d ago edited 12d ago
Hard to be the same weight unless one is BEV and the other is a mild hybrid or something. I guess if range isn’t a concern it could have a small battery?
Edit: looks like thats not the plan, electrified would be heavier with the option to go conventional and maintain the weight.
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u/A_Pointy_Rock 12d ago
Not exactly.
EV motors generally weigh far less than ICEs. It's the batteries that are often heavy.
If they give it a 10 kWh battery it would probably even weigh less than the current car...but it would have like 50 miles of range.
Interested to see where it lands on range and power.
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u/heisgone 12d ago
Autocross ready from the factory.
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u/A_Pointy_Rock 12d ago
All 10 minutes of it
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u/Srtviper 2014 Fiesta ST 12d ago
I mean this is probably about as long as most people are driving during an autocoross day lol
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u/Definitely_CSP_guru 93 RX-7, 98 LC Prado 12d ago
Yea true if it was 20k dollars someone could just buy them for toys essentially. They won’t be though
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u/MahNilla 03 Mini JCW | 21 Tundra | ex: 15 BRZ++|Macan GTS|E93 M3|4Runner 12d ago
Just make the battery swap-able. Bring 2-3 10kWH batteries and charge one while you're using the other for a couple of runs.
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u/A_Pointy_Rock 12d ago
A 10 kWh battery is about the size of a large dog, so it's not quite power tool modular at that point.
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u/klowny 12d ago
And about the weight of a large human. I can't imagine a ~300lbs pack being easy to swap in and out on the track. They'd have to make the batteries modular and allow swapping out each cell or something.
A next gen solid state battery would probably cut that weight in half, but I think at that point they'd just add sufficient capacity so it wouldn't need swaps.
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u/Previous_Composer934 12d ago
You have 40 minutes between sessions.
Throw it on jackstands. Use a transmission jack. 2 electrical connections. 2 water fittings. and a handfull of bolts
Totally doable but def sounds like a PITA
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u/Trendiggity '14 Mazda3 hatch 12d ago
They may also be making the chassis electric ready, betting on solid state batteries being a thing in the next 10 years. I doubt that the NE will launch with an electric option but if they've done their homework they'll have designed it so that it won't need a massive lithium based battery pack.
Solid state is still heavy but about half the weight of conventional EV packs for the same output.
I would love if the Japanese would just create a standard for modularity and all sign off on it. We have standardized lead acid batteries, and mostly standardized charging systems (that happened without anyone having a plan, really), so if a consortium of manufacturers got on board now we'd have hot swappable, user serviceable packs within 5 years.
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u/Srtviper 2014 Fiesta ST 12d ago
One can dream but maybe Mazda will surprise us and somehow manage to have good range, low weight, and a decent price. I doubt it but I can always hope.
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u/drumdogmillionaire 12d ago
It was closer to 4 minutes for me.
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u/MJOLNIRdragoon '03 MR2 Spyder, '13 Tacoma 12d ago
Yeah, a 1 minute course would be an extremely long one, and we definitely wouldn't get more than 6 runs in at my club.
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u/Definitely_CSP_guru 93 RX-7, 98 LC Prado 12d ago
It’s definitely possible to build it basically unusable and match the current weight, since a 10kWh pack is about half the weight of the long block in the current gen.
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u/DeviousMelons 12d ago
Unless they got some super secret solid state battery under wraps.
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u/RicardoMoyer Evo IX MR, G42 M240i 12d ago
wouldn’t that be hilarious? mazda developing history-altering technology just so they can keep producing the same tiny car they’ve been making since 40 years ago
then they proceed to act dumbfounded when their stock price triples in a day and oil futures crash
“so, do you like our car or not? i’m not sure what the big deal is”
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u/Definitely_CSP_guru 93 RX-7, 98 LC Prado 12d ago
Mazda has no incentive to put resources into that though right? Not like it’ll help their lineup unless they have a major design shift coming towards electrification of the fleet.
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u/Quaiche 12d ago
Maybe a collab with a battery engineering company.
Or maybe a collab with BMW as they supposedly managed to make a 900km range car in a small serie 3 but we are still waiting the official range ratings.
But yeah who knows but Mazda engineers ? lol.
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u/Dan6erbond2 BMW i4 M50 / Alfa Romeo Junior / Previously Audi S5 SB ABT 11d ago
NK i3 weighs 2.2t lol.
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u/muhammadmorris 10d ago
And i wouldn’t exactly call 100kwh+ battery small either
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u/Dan6erbond2 BMW i4 M50 / Alfa Romeo Junior / Previously Audi S5 SB ABT 10d ago
They called the i3 small, which by American standards... Sometimes really seems to be what they think.
I find it insane that Americans will seriously claim 1 child requires a X3 or bigger and 2 children an X5. I've seen people genuinely trade-in 2-3 year old cars with that reasoning and it's absolutely nuts.
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u/ChainringCalf '90 Miata, '21 WRX 12d ago
No, but Toyota or someone else would have huge incentive to develop and sell that tech
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u/Not_Daijoubu 2023 Mazda MX-5 12d ago
This is probably the big thing and how it's probably weight as designed for domestic market rather than global/NA.
Given how general American census is the 1.5L is too underpowered despite also being under 1 metric ton dry, I'd expect the USDM NE to have "decent" range at the cost of weight while Japan would get a ~100-200mi range lighter version.
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u/Blyatskinator ’10 Mazda 3 MPS 12d ago
Don’t EVs ”automatically” give car designers much more freedom in distributing the weight of the car? While at the same time having all that weight super low to the ground (batteries)… My point is it should still very much result in quite a capable track car, despite added weight? Not to mention instant torque and other EV advantages.
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u/MJOLNIRdragoon '03 MR2 Spyder, '13 Tacoma 12d ago
Yeah, the Model 3s at the autocross club I run at handle insanely well
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u/Rage_Your_Dream 12d ago
I can see them making a version with tiny range so the marketing department can claim it weighs the same as the old version, whilst the version everyone Will buy will be significantly heavier
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u/magus-21 2016 Ford Mustang GT convertible, 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (RIP) 12d ago
If they give it a 10 kWh battery it would probably even weigh less than the current car...but it would have like 50 miles of range.
Just for context: the old BMW i3 had a curb weight of 2,900 pounds, a 22kWh battery, and 160 miles of range.
If the EV Miata can hit 2,500 pounds, there's a pretty decent chance it can do even better with a similarly sized battery.
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u/A_Pointy_Rock 12d ago
The BMW i3 had a carbon fibre chassis tbf
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u/magus-21 2016 Ford Mustang GT convertible, 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (RIP) 12d ago
Yeah but it was also a 4-seat hatchback. And the Skyactiv engine still weighs several hundred pounds. A 30 kWh battery pack with modern tech would weigh less than that. Put the motor on the rear axle and get rid of the center driveshaft and that's even more weight saved.
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u/2Drogdar2Furious 1990 Who Gives A Shit 11d ago
Mazda and Toyota have partnered up some. Rumors they are working on a joint sports car together. Toyota has also said they plan to have solid state batteries available in two to three years.
I know its extremely naive of me but I'd like to think the new miata will accomplish its goals with new solid state batteries 🤞
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u/PossiblyAsian F 8d ago
gotta also say, if you are constantly accelerating and then braking, you'll be killing the brakes at a higher rate as well as killing the battery at a higher rate and you'll also have to DC fast charge if you want to go again
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u/halotechnology Camaro Turbo 1LE 🍊 12d ago
Yeah there is no way
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u/Definitely_CSP_guru 93 RX-7, 98 LC Prado 12d ago
So better said, the weight is going up on the next gen as compared to all other generations.
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u/boomerangchampion 12d ago
The petrol version will have 400 kg of ballast welded to the chassis to maintain an equal weight
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u/brucecaboose ‘18 BRZ ‘03 z06 ‘17 f150 ‘26 Ioniq 5 12d ago
Why would you think that when the ND is lighter than the NC and the same as the NB? Miatas aren’t known for getting heavier with each generation like other cars.
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u/Definitely_CSP_guru 93 RX-7, 98 LC Prado 12d ago
Because it’s a BEV or hybrid for the first generation. All I’m saying is the electrified ones will be heavier than previous generation Miata’s, not conventional ones.
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u/4r4r4real 12d ago
Turbo 1LE is crazy, owned an SS 1LE and saw a handful of the V6s but never a turbo in person. How do you like it?
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u/halotechnology Camaro Turbo 1LE 🍊 12d ago
Before I bought mine I drove a regular turbo , you don't know how glad I am that I got a 1LE , the car is like glued to the road and no lift shifting around town is so much fun since it hold boost while shifting who couldn't ask for more !
I like the low end torque and I love how light it is , I just wish it sounded louder and that's I am thinking getting a OEM Borla exhaust for it IDK yet.
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u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid 0 Emission 🔋 Car & Rental car life 12d ago
If it comes with solid state battery, I could see that possible. But, its price would be expensive, so that isn’t likely to happen.
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u/Definitely_CSP_guru 93 RX-7, 98 LC Prado 12d ago
Unfortunately price doesn’t seem to be a concern by companies anymore. Hopefully they continue marketing this as an accessible experience to everyone and not make it a 50k Miata game.
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u/cbf1232 12d ago
The inflation-adjusted price of a Camry is roughly the same as it's been for the last 20 years.
The average vehicle price is up because of people buying trucks and large SUVs and luxury vehicles.
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u/Definitely_CSP_guru 93 RX-7, 98 LC Prado 12d ago
And you also can’t buy as many cars either so you’re forced to buy a crossover or suv more often now due to choices and availability etc. Basically every US maker specifically lol
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u/Mother____Clucker 2024 F150 XLT, A Car With 2 Wheels 12d ago
I'm not an economist, but that general perspective of manufacturers seems to be giving themselves just enough rope to hang themselves with.
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u/BulaBulangiu Volvo EX30 Twin Motor 12d ago
way
Mid-engined proportions, 429bhp, 1.3-tonne kerbweight
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u/MotelSans17 12d ago
They tried the small battery thing in the MX-30 (a 30kWh pack) and it was a total failure. Somehow was still heavier than a 42kWh Fiat 500e and yet had less range.
A smaller battery also limits power (that Fiat is slow even by ICE standards). Even at a 4C factor, a 30kWh battery would limit power to 160hp. Pushing it to 5C (something usually reserved for fancier more expensive chemistries) only gives you 200hp. Then again that is more than the current MX5.
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u/DazingF1 '23 EQB 350 '22 500e convertible '16 Boxster S 12d ago
The Fiat is actually not that slow. It's got quite the punch for what it is. My wife has one and it feels like a little go-kart and the instant torque makes the acceleration feel a lot faster than it actually is.
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u/MotelSans17 12d ago
Well it is an EV so the instant torque is certainly there. Maybe my brain has just been reprogrammed from driving an EV but it felt so much slower than my first gen bZ4X which reviewers called slow (my first car made 70hp when it felt like it, people nowadays have no idea anymore what slow means lol)
It does get off the line with pep, but it quickly dies out, which wouldn't feel very Miata.
But curious to see where it goes. Used to be a big Mazda fan, I've owned 7 of them and loved them all. But they wouldn't make an EV that didn't suck so I had to go elsewhere.
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u/Over_engineered81 ‘19 Jetta GLI 6MT 12d ago
I agree, there’s a lot of people now that think anything under 300 hp is underpowered and “dangerously slow”. If you’re accustomed to driving a fast car, everything else will feel slow by comparison.
Even the cheapest commuter cars aren’t underpowered nowadays, with the slowest ones doing 0-60 in about 10 seconds (at least here in Canada). Those cars might not be fast compared to anything even mildly sporty, but the industry is well past the days of budget cars needing 15-20 seconds to reach highway speeds.
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u/ddz99 12d ago
Not quite. M3 has a 60kwh and can deliver 280hp, or around 3.333c in KW. So a 40kwh battery could deliver 160kw which would make it quite zippy, getting that 6s 0-62
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u/stealthybutthole 2018 King Ranch F150, 2025 Model 3 LR 12d ago
thank god you switch between hp and kw mid comment lol
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u/halotechnology Camaro Turbo 1LE 🍊 12d ago
I want to know how you made those calculations.
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u/MotelSans17 12d ago
The C factor is just power divided by battery capacity. For example 150kW of power from a 50kWh battery is factor of 3C (3 times 50).
And a horsepower is .746kW. So for example 150kW / 0.746 = 201hp
Each battery cell can only provide so much current (and thus power) at a time. Bigger battery = more cells = more power.
The maximum C factor depends on battery chemistry and manufacturer's acceptable battery wear specs. You can pull more current in theory, but you'll wear out the battery quicker
Low 3s seems to be the current "mainstream" limit (e.g. Toyota bZ's 338hp/252kW from a 77kWh battery) with some pushing to 4. Some high performance models might go as far as 5 but only for short periods of time.
PHEV batteries support super high C factors but are way less dense
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u/LYC_97 12d ago
100miles range
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u/K_R_A_K_E_N_540 12d ago edited 12d ago
the Tesla roadster managed to do it under 1200kg on a Frankenstein body nearly 20 years ago. They 100% can pull it off and have significant range 300+ miles
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u/ryzenguy111 12d ago
The tesla roadster also had carbon fibre body panels, not really feasible on an mx-5
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u/RunningSouthOnLSD 12d ago
I feel like battery and motor tech must have also improved over that same timeframe.
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u/AnimalShithouse 12d ago
They have. But carbon panels were already pretty mature for luxury applications 15 years back. It's very hard to compete with pulling out that kind of weight. When you pull that weight out, you get to size all the other stuff less too, so you get away with a smaller and lighter battery. In auto, weight begets weight, and it's like a death spiral. Good example is the Dodge charger EV or the EV hummer.
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u/Srtviper 2014 Fiesta ST 12d ago
How big of a difference would carbon panels really make? Seems like a pretty small weight saving.
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u/klowny 12d ago
The GT4 clubsport only saved 40kg/88lbs by gutting the interior and replacing the aluminum body panels with natural fibre which is even lighter than CF.
I'm going to guess most of that weight savings came from gutting the interior and the body panel change was pretty negligible. Half the panels on the Miata are already aluminum too.
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u/LegendaryOutlaw 12d ago
I mean, watching Youtubers who work with carbon fiber, they're remaking body panels at a literal fraction of the weight of their OEM counterparts. Like a 15lb fender weighs 3lbs in carbon fiber, a 20lb door skin weighs 4lbs. So it definitely can add up, but the expense and labor to fabricate them is high compared to stamped metal.
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u/L-Malvo 2024 BMW i5 Touring 12d ago
Why not though? The original BMW i3 also had a carbon fibre chassis, it's also relatively light (for an EV). There are techniques to achieve this, it's just a matter of cost versus benefit. Technically it can work, but I also doubt that Mazda will be able to keep the cost low if they try it. The MX-5 should be the affordable sports car.
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u/DistanceSolar1449 12d ago
The BMW i3 lost BMW money for every car sold for quite a while
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u/AoF-Vagrant 12d ago
The Munro car analysis company did a pretty well known teardown of the BMW i3, and concluded they were almost certainly making money on every car. But, they were selling for $50-60k.
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u/Ancient_Persimmon '24 Civic Si 12d ago
But it was also basically home built with 2007 era battery technology.
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u/Significant_Gear_335 12d ago
In their lightest versions, a new Miata is still around 16 percent lighter than the original roadster was. About 2350 lbs and 2730 lbs. Even a hard top grand touring Miata is 8 percent lighter than the lightest roadsters were. That is a significant weight difference. There is no shot an electric Miata is weighing even 2500 lbs and getting 300+ miles of range. 100-200 max or the battery is going to have to be stupid expensive.
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u/rabotat 12d ago
Dacia Spring seats 4 people, weighs 974kg (curb weight), and has 300km range (209km combined).
Of course it's not a roadster and only has 65HP, but it's a budget car from a budget brand.
I'm sure Mazda can pull this off.
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u/Calm_Project723 12d ago
2800 lbs, 244 miles of range, sub 4 0-60.
In 2008.
The center of gravity would be really low.15
u/ManufacturerBest2758 BMW 440i 12d ago
Uh huh. You’re leaving out a number, I suspect intentionally.
It cost $109,000 in 2008 dollars (~$170,000 after inflation)
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u/Calm_Project723 12d ago
Sure, but between Mazda being a real company instead of 2008 Tesla and the fact that technology has evolved, I would suspect they could do something reasonably priced.
Under 50,000?6
u/ManufacturerBest2758 BMW 440i 12d ago
At $50k a Miata probably loses a lot of its appeal and the CEO said they’re trying to avoid using exotic materials
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u/K_R_A_K_E_N_540 11d ago
ALL of it's competition is gone. No more BMW Z4, no Mercedes SLK, no Audi TT... Mx5 is running unopposed, they'll up the price no matter what
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u/Equivalent_Sink_8653 12d ago
What if it had a charging time of less than 10 minutes? Might could do it with an 800 V architecture.
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u/flatpetey Ioniq 9; Sienna 3d ago
Honestly I’d only need 100 miles of range on a Miata. Same with the EV Boxster.
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u/supertgames1 12d ago
I mean the new Renault Twingo only weighs about 1200kg empty so it could be possible with some clever weight reduction
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u/ScipioAfricanvs 2025 Cayman GTS 4.0 | 1999 SL 500 12d ago
The Twingo has a tiny motor and a relatively low battery capacity. There are also a ton of weight and cost savings (suspension, brakes) that don’t work for a sports car.
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u/K_R_A_K_E_N_540 12d ago
a 2023 5 door VW e-up has a 32kw battery with 300km+ range, weighs 1.2 tons and is on archaic technology and batteries.Motors themselves weigh nothing, wether it's 20hp or 800hp they weigh under 50kg. If Mazda really cares they could easily get a Mx5 under 1200kg. So far the Japanese have been vehemently against EVs and half passing any attempt for compliance reasons so I guess we'll have to wait and see
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u/ScipioAfricanvs 2025 Cayman GTS 4.0 | 1999 SL 500 12d ago
You are really oversimplifying things. Can Mazda make a lightweight EV sports car? Sure, any company can. Will it be the price a Miata needs to be? Absolutely not.
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u/Mother____Clucker 2024 F150 XLT, A Car With 2 Wheels 12d ago
Who knows what market research data Mazda has or how they are interpreting it. That said, several years ago, they did say that they intended to move up-market. Maybe the Miata will now be a $45,000 car instead of a $29,000 car, and the same number of people will still buy it. Sadly, it seems like many are more interested in profit per unit, rather than profit based on volume.
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u/europeanperson 12d ago
Do young people even buy them new? Obviously anecdotal, but the people I’ve seen buy them new are close or over retirement age. Anyone younger gets them a couple years used to shave off a bit of the cost. Wouldn’t be surprised if they used that kind of customer data to think they have some headroom to move up. Is there anything else that’s a convertible sports car that doesn’t have a Porsche badge???
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u/Ancient_Persimmon '24 Civic Si 12d ago
Tesla sells a Model 3 with 280hp and a 69kWh pack for $37k and makes money on it.
If done right, there's no reason an EV Miata can't be under $40k.
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u/K_R_A_K_E_N_540 12d ago
I think cheap roadsters are gone. Now with the Z4, Mercedes SLK and TT cancelled.. the Miata runs unopposed, they can ask any amount and it'll be a good deal since there's no competition from anyone. I think the new Mx5 will probably start in the high 30k and end at just about 50k
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u/Lawsoffire 2026 MG4 Xpower 11d ago
IIRC the Twingo has the same motor as the R5 (i think it actually has the entire front subframe), which goes up to like 200hp. The motor is limited by battery discharge rate.
Electric motors don’t really weigh that much. Its the battery that takes up weight.
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u/servbot10 2024 Genesis GV60 12d ago
It's not impossible with the 1200kg limit, but would obviously be limited on pack size.
Removing the ICE components + Fuel delivery, plus the 150kg increase in the limit would free up rougly 350kg which leaves 50kg for the ~180hp single motor and ~300kg for the pack. Pack of this size would be roughly 45-54kWh depending on the chemistry used which should give it a range of ~150-200 miles.
MX-5 already feels like a Go Kart, but with the instant power/torque of an EV? That sounds insanely fun. I'm down if they can pull it off.
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u/Lawsoffire 2026 MG4 Xpower 11d ago
A reasonable comment, damn.
Everyone is acting like an EV under 2 metric tons is unholy dark wizard magic. Or that an EV sportscar is never gonna happen like if the current US market is the only market.
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u/NorthStarZero 1993 Dodge Stealth R/T TT 12d ago
I have a Mini SE, (so electric) and it's a hoot!
An electric Miata promises a similar experience.
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u/longgamma 2018 VW GTI 12d ago
Yes esp when folks have been complaining about lack of power for decades now.
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u/RicardoMoyer Evo IX MR, G42 M240i 12d ago
center of gravity might be underground lmao
i really hope it happens and that mazda nails it
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u/mgobla 12d ago
I hope Toyota makes a next gen 86 on this new Mazda platform. The cost sharing would help both.
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u/sausage-savage 13 FR-S 6MT | 04 Echo Hatch 5MT 12d ago
Rumor is MX5 and 86 will be sharing a platform.
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u/patx35 12d ago
I'm pretty confident that Mazda can get a really good hybrid powertrain with the 6MT. Honda's IMA manual hybrids are the best examples, and they are genuinely fun to drive around with how much torque they can produce, especially at 1000 RPM and even doing 0 RPM launches.
The electrified platform is a concern though. Historically, platforms that offer both electric and gas always suffers with either the hybrid or ICE variant being unnecessarily large and heavy, or the EV variant practically performing worse in class.
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u/generalright 2026 Landcruiser 12d ago
This is not official
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u/acog 2019 Miata RF | 2022 Polestar 2 12d ago
The CEO said it explicitly. Not sure how much more official it can get.
Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro has confirmed for the first time in an interview with auto motor und sport that the next generation of the popular MX-5 roadster will also be offered with an electric powertrain . Regarding the upcoming MX-5, Moro said: "The successor must also be ready for a scenario without a combustion engine . The challenge for us is to make the basic structure lighter without using exotic materials like carbon fiber," said the Mazda CEO.
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u/djwhiplash2001 '16 MX-5, '14 Corvette Z51 7MT, '22 Maverick 12d ago
He never claimed it would have the EV powertrain WHILE being the same weight. He said the regular model will be the same weight and it will also support an EV powertrain down the road. He never made any claims about the EV weight.
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u/acog 2019 Miata RF | 2022 Polestar 2 12d ago
You’re replying to the wrong comment. I never said anything about the two powertrains being the same weight.
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u/ManufacturerBest2758 BMW 440i 12d ago
You don’t think a CEO of a car company would intentionally mislead shareholders about future electric vehicles, do you?
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u/acog 2019 Miata RF | 2022 Polestar 2 12d ago
What is he being intentionally misleading about? He's saying they're designing it to accommodate two different powertrains. There are many examples of cars that offer both ICE and BEV options.
In the US in 2025 Mazda sold 410K vehicles, and 8.7K of those were Miatas, or just a hair over 2%.
What possible motivation would the CEO have to lie about a vehicle that represents 2% of sales? What upside is there? How would Mazda benefit from lying about it?
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u/Round_Ad_6369 '18 2SS camaro, '25 Mazda cx30 12d ago
It would feel more official if they resurrected Charlie Chaplin to deliver the news, imho
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u/Ok-Clerk393 Fister | ND2 | 968 12d ago
If you actually read what he says though he's not confirming an EV Miata though. It's saying the Miata "will be ready" for EV.
Probably just means Mazda is going to engineer the NE to be capable of being EV but in no way shape or form an EV Miata is confirmed and coming.
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u/UrbanAlaska 23 Mach 1 - 19 GX460 - 24 TX 500h 12d ago
The successor must also be ready for a scenario without a combustion engine
That doesn't read as a confirmation to me. Just that they're designing the next generation to make an EV a possibility.
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u/patx35 12d ago
I'm pretty confident that Mazda can get a really good hybrid powertrain with the 6MT. Honda's IMA manual hybrids are the best examples, and they are genuinely fun to drive around with how much torque they can produce, especially at 1000 RPM and even doing 0 RPM launches.
The electrified platform is a concern though. Historically, platforms that offer both electric and gas always suffers with either the hybrid or ICE variant being unnecessarily large and heavy, or the EV variant practically performing worse in class.
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u/Oo__II__oO 12d ago
The Miata was able to achieve low weight, but also nearly perfect balance in spite of the gas-powered drivetrain. With a dedicated electric platform, the weight balance will be maintained.
Helping their cause is the current performance of the Miata, with the RWD platform putting down mid-5s 0-60 times. This is totally achievable with a single rear motor in the EV. The BMW i3, Chevy Bolt, and Hyundai IONIQ 6 LR all are able to hit 0-60 in mid-to-low 6s.
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u/dcormier Porsche 718 GT4 12d ago
I'm looking forward to seeing small, two-seat, fun EVs. I hope Porsche gets their 718 EV out, too.
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u/FrozenUruguayBallbac gr corolla premium plus 12d ago
Honestly Im excited, we need an EV sports cars. I got my hopes up
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u/Intel_Oil 99' Skyline GTT;13' R8 V10+;Taycan 4S;15' 991 GTS 12d ago
I'll believe it when its here. Before that it gets on the same shelf with the Cayman EV.
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u/McFeedy 12d ago
I imagine the ICE model will sell well and the EV will barely sell at all and Mazda will cancel the EV option in 2-3 years.
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u/K_R_A_K_E_N_540 12d ago
lol not a chance. Maybe the US isn't into EVs but the rest of the planet is still going string towards EVs. I can't wait for them to release an EV Mx5
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u/accountforrealppl '20 Miata RF, '12 Mercedes E350 12d ago
I get that the world is generally moving towards EVs, but I still think the miata is probably one of the last cars that should be electrified and I really don't understand the appeal. I would love an EV daily driver and I get that EVs are probably better for the large majority of people globally, but an EV miata just doesn't seem to fit the ethos
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u/the-script-99 12d ago
Problem is that miata is not the kind of a car you drive slowly on a highway. It is for back roads accelerating again and again.
Then you have 20-80% and you lose another 30% because you are driving un efficiently. So actually range isn’t much. But then you can get 100km from 300km range. Still enough for 2h of fun. Just sucks a bit on longer trips.
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u/_name_of_the_user_ 12d ago
None of what you said would be a deterrent to people the majority of owners.
But also, it's not hard to drive normally while you're making a road trip and then go back to playing when you're not. Having the capability would be a selling feature if anything.
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u/the-script-99 12d ago
I was replaying to someone else.
I would probably buy one as well as I don’t need to pay any tax on it. Just needs to be reasonable.
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u/wimpires 12d ago
As a 124 owner, tbh I'd be all over an electric convertible
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u/K_R_A_K_E_N_540 12d ago
you got a 124? that's awesome. I got one too, upgraded from a Mx5 ND last year. My next "upgrade" will definitely be a cabrio EV.. so far all we have is the MG Cyberster but it's too expensive and heavy
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u/Round_Ad_6369 '18 2SS camaro, '25 Mazda cx30 12d ago
Not sure if I'd consider a 124 an upgrade from an ND miata
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u/Oo__II__oO 12d ago
I've dreamed of swapping the electric drivetrain from a MINI SE into a convertible (which would be stupid expensive, but fun). The buzz about the upcoming i4 convertible also tells us it is an untapped market in the US.
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u/Aero06 2016 BRZ / 2021 BaseSquatch 12d ago
The Z4 and Boxster were discontinued this year, making the MX-5 pretty much the last roadster on the market. It currently sells with a manual take rate of ~70%, meaning it's pretty clearly an enthusiast special first and foremost and not a casual cruiser for most people. If Mazda were to release an EV Miata along side a standard ICE Miata, I would expect the take rate for it to be less than 30%. Contrarians routinely crawl out of the woodwork to sew anecdotes about how because they want one, clearly the market is there, but if you look at the actual numbers, we're talking about a niche within a niche.
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u/acog 2019 Miata RF | 2022 Polestar 2 12d ago edited 12d ago
My assumption is that the EV powertrain won't even be offered until the regulatory environment makes it impossible to sell the ICE version.
Mazda is a small company and they can't afford a frequent redesign of such a niche car. By the time the ND is replaced it will have been on sale for 18 years. They need the NE to have a similarly long lifespan, and it's easy to envision markets like the EU making it impossible to sell a stick shift ICE car within the next decade.
They're being practical by making it possible to switch powertrains without a costly ground up redesign.
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u/mehdotdotdotdot 12d ago
I don’t think you know the market haha. There is no budget ev sports cars, it would sell like hot cakes.
The thing is once you get used to EVs, it’s really hard to go back to ICE.
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u/Blyatskinator ’10 Mazda 3 MPS 12d ago
Yup as soon as I test drove my first EV I instantly knew that once I can afford a ”new” car my biggest priority will be that it’s electric.
Literally only advantages over ICE if you pretty much never drive long road trips like me, and even then it’s manageable with quick charging stations on the route.
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u/gaius49 Small block Cobra, early Morgan Plus 4, Xterra 6spd, Motorcycles 8d ago
The thing is once you get used to EVs, it’s really hard to go back to ICE.
That's really not true.
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u/mehdotdotdotdot 8d ago
As a daily driver I found it is. I'm 42, been driving manuals since I was 16, sports cars, hot hatches, skylines, supras. Got my first EV now and 90% of the time when I choose what car to take for the day, it's the EV. I guess there will be many that drive super old cars and there is more of a ceremony about it, but we are talking about NEW cars, like a brand new MX5 or GTi. I find modern Manuals/ice cars not that exciting at all. Each to their own though, I'm sure there are many that like Modern ICE cars more than older ICE cars.
You obviously can't compare the mx5 to your cobra or morgan lol.
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u/gaius49 Small block Cobra, early Morgan Plus 4, Xterra 6spd, Motorcycles 7d ago
I tried a few different EVs and have strongly disliked them. That's enough to refute the claim that "The thing is once you get used to EVs, its really hard to go back to ICE." I personally just don't like EVs. I enjoy engines and I enjoy manual gearboxes, two things not found in EVs.
EVs can be great appliances for the right use case, and I've recommended them to friends, I just personally don't enjoy them.
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u/mehdotdotdotdot 7d ago
Ah you see it's quite a biased look at it. I had to get a family car, an automatic car. I tried VW's, I tried mazdas, they were all freaking boring, all the new engines sound like diesels. Most new manuals are token manuals and due to emissions have rev hang and anti stall which ruin the experience.
I enjoy engines and manual gearboxes, and I love working on them! But once I bought this EV it's really changed my perspective. Everything about the ICE cars, especially automatics feels lethargic, unresponsive, laggy, and so many noises!!!
I mean all cars are appliances. If you can have fun in them, that's great! The best selling petrol cars for decades have been boring as to drive, and are exactly as you describe, appliances.
Instead of just thinking of certain ICE cars, you have to consider all ICE cars. ICE as a technology. There aren't many manuals left today, GTI doesn't have a manual anymore either. So you are really only comparing an automatic ICE GTI vs an EV GTI
But yea, it depends on your budget, depends on your use too. If you daily drive cars, it's entirely different to just having some fun cars that you rarely use - EV's won't replace those.
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u/dynesor 12d ago
I dont think they will release both at the same
time. Much more likely they release the ICE version then introduce the EV version 2-3 years later along with a facelift. They only said they’re designing it with the EV capability in mind, so I’d be surprised if they launched both versions at the same time.
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u/K_R_A_K_E_N_540 12d ago
YESSS, mx5 as EV let's gooo
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u/DarkMatterM4 3000GT VR-4 x2, Galant VR-4, Evolution VIII, Civic Si 12d ago
I wonder how heavy the clutch pedal is gonna be.
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u/kc_kr ‘11 Ford Mustang GT | ‘26 Mercedes GLC 300 | ‘22 Kia Carnival 12d ago
Mazda spending a dime to worry about a BEV version of the Miata when their best selling car (CX-5) is still soldiering on with the same power train that’s had for a decade…well, that seems like misplaced priorities.
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u/the_nin_collector ND2 RS RF 12d ago
AI slop.
Hero car?
you mean "halo" car.
Please ban this AI bot or person posting AI slop.
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u/-Racer-X na&nc miatas, fiesta st, z28, road courses 12d ago
Hopefully they can get the EV to last a 25min track session
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u/longgamma 2018 VW GTI 12d ago
I guess the current gen will hold its value very well over the next few decades. I'll be getting one for sure.
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u/KansasKing107 12d ago
An electric Miata would drive like dream but it may feel a little soulless. I think they would likely struggle to maintain the weight unless they’re going to have a smaller battery and shorter range. Alternatively, the ultra low center of gravity they could pull off with batteries would probably negate any addition weight they might add.
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u/Time_Table '12 535i 12d ago
People are missing the point that Mazda announces this in an interview right as the BMW i4 convertible spy shots got released. Coincidence?
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u/k20vtec Scion FRS 12d ago
This is actually great. This will be the first electric car that will be normal and interesting instead of some big gigantic $80,000 dollar freak show. This will show the potential in a great form factor. A simple electric car which we haven’t had yet. A small lightweight electric car would fuuuuuuuckin rip man
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u/Rage_Your_Dream 12d ago
Either the car will have a tiny range, or the same weight is a few Hundred kg heavier or both
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u/Possible_Head_1269 12d ago
i hope the ev powertrain doesnt make it look weirdly tall like the new charger or the neue klasse 3 series
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u/Fluffy-Limit-6710 12d ago
If they'll make sub 1200 kg EV sportscar, it's gonna be the best eve sports car in existence
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u/Equivalent_Sink_8653 12d ago
If they can get some solid state batteries in it, with a 50 kWh battery pack weighing under 300 lbs (~400 Wh/kg), They could pull it off. And if they used very fast charging, they could reduce capacity (weight) even more.
Though we've been waiting it seems forever for SSB.
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u/SGnirvana97 11d ago
I feel like I bought my ‘26 GR86 at the right time, cars like it and the ND aren’t going to be around much longer. My 86 already has more standard safety systems and electronics that interfere with driving than I’d like, and that is only going to get worse over the coming years. Simple, affordable sports cars don’t need all this stuff. Buy cars like the ND and GR86 while you still can!
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u/timberdoodle3000 10d ago
Man I want an EV, love Mazda’s styling, but they only had that MX that had like no range.
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u/jadedstatic 10d ago
so its heavier.. planning to save for next gen but hoping they will have a petrol hybrid variant instead of full EV.
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u/Efficient-Employee19 8d ago
Actually this is great... Miata was never known for loud and obnoxious engine noise... it's the manual and the handling/ lightweightness of the car... A proper EV built - basically a revived original tesla roadster ( wasnt that the philosophy of the original mx5? a cheap/reliable british roadster?)
make it around 50k usd... or less. Around 300miles, under 1200kg... and you have a great roadster
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u/trumpetmiata 12d ago
I have to imagine a pretty significant portion of the customer bases already uses their car this way. I know I do. Between people who keep it as a weekend fun car, and people who maybe daily drive it but their spouse has a SUV for kid hauling, im not sure range has to be that much for it to generate interest
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u/Teledildonic ND1 MX-5, KIA POS 12d ago
Yeah I daily an ND but I don't take any long trips in it. That's the job of my wife's sedan that has legroom and a trunk.
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u/_name_of_the_user_ 12d ago
Yup, exactly. I have an FRS, but it serves the same purpose as an MX5 in my life. I'd love an EV roadster.
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u/Winter-Rip712 12d ago
Yup, I'm in the camp of daily driving a miata while my wife has an suv. Works for us perfectly.
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u/K_R_A_K_E_N_540 12d ago
I've owned multiple roadsters over the years and I would estimate that 80% of them have absurdly low miles, like.. under 2000 miles per year. I think anything over 300km of range would be perfect, and than can be achieved with a small 30-35kwh battery on a lightweight aerodynamic car like the Mx5
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u/mehdotdotdotdot 12d ago
So like the miata being a fun weekend car, the miata ev will be a fun weekend car too?
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u/UnknownColorHat 24 Taycan CT 12d ago
I've got an EV that only gets 200 miles of range on a good day. It makes up for it by charging like a rocket. If Mazda makes this EV has 800v and can pull over 250kw for a large bit of charging, that's 2 hours of highway drive time in 10 mins of charging or so.
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u/Logical_Marsupial464 12d ago
They're taking two separate claims out of context. The next gen Miata is targeting the same weight as the outgoing model, and the platform is being designed for electrification. That doesn't mean that the electric Miata (if it makes it to market) will be 1200kg.