Mazda's chief executive has confirmed that the next generation of the MX-5 sports car is being developed with the possibility of an all-electric drivetrain, as regulatory pressure on combustion engines shapes the roadster's future.
CEO Masahiro Moro told a German publication that the successor to the current MX-5 must be prepared for a scenario in which internal combustion engines are no longer viable due to regulatory constraints. His comments came just weeks after a Mazda Australia executive said the next MX-5 could be the last with a combustion engine.
Moro said the successor must also be ready for a scenario without an internal combustion engine. He added that the challenge for the company is to make the basic structure lighter without resorting to exotic materials such as carbon fibre.
A weight target under 1,200 kg
Rather than turning to expensive composite materials, Mazda's engineers are tasked with cutting weight using more conventional construction materials. Moro said the development team is targeting a vehicle weight of between 1,000 and 1,200 kilograms, and expressed confidence that the target is achievable.
If reached, an electric MX-5 could weigh roughly the same as current combustion-engined versions, or only marginally more. The current MX-5 MY26 in its European specification weighs 1,003 kg without a driver.
Combustion and hybrid options still in play
The electric powertrain is not the only option under consideration. The next MX-5 is also expected to use Mazda's new 2.5-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv-Z engine, and some form of hybrid technology remains possible, provided it does not compromise the car's low-weight philosophy.
The next-generation MX-5 is expected to arrive in 2028.
