The Mazda MX-5, better known as the Miata, has survived changing trends, declining sports car sales and a world obsessed with SUVs. Since its introduction in 1989, it has sold more than 1.26 million units, earning it the title of the best-selling sports two-seater in history. But there is one battle that they probably won’t be able to win forever – the battle against electrification. Indications are now coming from Mazda that the next generation could be the last powered solely by an internal combustion engine.
Last farewell to gasoline?
The information that has stirred the spirits of car enthusiasts comes from the director of Mazda Australia, Vinesha Bhindija. He confirmed that a new generation MX-5 model is definitely in development, although no one is ready to reveal the exact release date yet. He also hinted that it could be the last version with an internal combustion engine.
Although the future after that is uncertain, this does not mean that the classic Miata will end tomorrow. High-ranking Mazda people have previously admitted that the new generation, which will likely carry the internal badge “NE”, is still years away. Given how long previous generations have been on the market, and the current ND generation entering its twelfth summer, its successor could easily carry the gasoline engine flame deep into the thirties of this century.
Old school as a priority
The good news is that Mazda doesn’t seem to have any intention of reinventing the wheel while there’s still gas in the tank. The company’s management has repeatedly emphasized that the priorities remain old-fashioned – to maintain low mass, compact dimensions and an atmospheric engine. And, perhaps most importantly for purists, keep the manual transmission option.
There have also been rumors that the next MX-5 could switch to Mazda’s new 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Skyactiv-Z engine, which would replace today’s smaller two-liter unit. In order to meet the increasingly strict standards on exhaust gas emissions, the introduction of mild hybrid assistance is also expected. It’s a compromise that should help reduce emissions without adding too much mass, which is key to preserving the car’s character.
An ambition weighing less than a ton
The masses remain public enemy number one. Mazda wants the next roadster to weigh less than 1,000 kilograms, which is an extremely ambitious goal given modern safety standards and the potential addition of hybrid hardware. By way of comparison, even the upcoming “lightweight” electric sports car from the Alpine brand will weigh around 1,450 kilograms. If Mazda’s engineers succeed in achieving this goal, it will be one of the more impressive feats in the world of sports cars and a testament to their commitment to the philosophy of low mass.
Yet after that generation, fate seems sealed. If the generation after it arrives in the mid-thirties, the all-electric MX-5 will likely no longer be a matter of choice, but a necessity due to CO2 emissions laws in key markets like Europe. Battery technology will surely advance by then, but recreating the featherweight and agile character that made the Miata famous will be no easy task. Meanwhile, stricter Japanese regulations already make the MX-5 noticeably quieter in the domestic market, with quieter tires and a larger exhaust muffler that even reduces boot space.