Mazda Hints: The Next MX-5 May Be the Last Gas-Powered Miata
The Mazda MX-5 has stood firm against changing trends, declining sports car sales, and an SUV-obsessed world. But there is one battle it likely cannot win forever. Mazda has hinted that the next generation of the Miata may be the last to run on an internal combustion engine before electric power finally takes over.
This statement came from Mazda Australia’s managing director, Vinesh Bhindi, who said one of the company’s top executives confirmed that a new MX-5 will definitely appear, although no one is specifying exact timelines.
“He also hinted that this might be the last version with an ICE (internal combustion engine),” Bhindi told Australian publication Car Expert.
Earlier, Mazda executives acknowledged that the next MX-5 would not arrive soon, despite the current ND generation already entering its twelfth year. Given how long previous generations remained on sale, its successor could very well run on gasoline well into the 2030s.
Old School by Design
The good news is that Mazda appears to have no intention of drastically changing the Miata as long as there is still gasoline in the tank. Company executives have repeatedly emphasized that the priorities remain refreshingly old-fashioned: keep it light, compact, and naturally aspirated. And, most importantly, retain the manual transmission option.
Rumors suggest the next MX-5 may receive a new 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Skyactiv-Z engine, replacing the current smaller 2.0-liter unit. It may also get mild hybrid support to meet stricter emissions regulations without significantly increasing weight.
Ambitious Target Weight
Weight remains the main enemy. Mazda wants the new roadster to weigh less than 1000 kg (2205 lbs). This is an ambitious goal, given modern safety standards and the potential for hybrid equipment. If the engineers succeed, it will be one of the most impressive achievements in the sports car world.
However, the future seems already determined. If the generation after this arrives sometime in the mid-2030s, a fully electric MX-5 may become not just desirable but mandatory due to CO2 emissions legislation in key markets such as Europe. Battery technology by then will certainly have improved, but recreating the lightweight and engaging character that made the Miata famous will be no easy task.
Quiet at Home
We still have many years before the MX-5 transforms into a silent EV, but in its home market, it is already getting quieter. Stricter Japanese noise regulations have forced Mazda to muffle the roadster’s sound, while Mazda Europe, on the contrary, is increasing the decibels on its MX-5s. The latest Japanese updates include quieter tires and a larger muffler, which even reduces trunk space on the RF hardtop version.
It is worth noting that Mazda finds itself in a unique situation: in different markets, the company is forced to move in opposite directions regarding engine sound. While in Europe the focus is on emotional sound, in Japan it is on complying with increasingly stringent environmental standards. This suggests that the balance between tradition and regulation is becoming more complex, and the future of the legendary model will likely depend on how quickly technology can offer a lightweight and thrilling electric alternative.