Mazda Confirms The Miata Is Going Electric, But Also Not

Mazda is charting a two-pronged future for its sports car lineup.

In a recent interview with Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro confirmed that the highly anticipated next-generation MX-5 roadster—codenamed NE—is actively being engineered to accept a fully electric powertrain, all while targeting an incredibly light curb weight.

The chief executive also revealed his personal ambition to introduce an exclusive, low-volume "hero car" to anchor the upper end of the brand's performance portfolio.

For over three decades, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has built its reputation on a beautifully simple formula: keeping mass at an absolute minimum so it doesn't require massive horsepower to deliver driving joy. Electrification normally ruins this, as heavy modern lithium-ion battery packs routinely push cars into heavier weight classes—looking at you, BMW M5.

However, Moro revealed that Mazda engineers are tackling this weight penalty head-on without relying on hyper-expensive materials. “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.”

Instead of pricing out the average enthusiast with exotic composites, developers are under strict orders to rethink conventional materials and platforms. The engineering targets are ambitious: Moro says the team is gunning for a featherweight target between 2,205 and 2,645 lbs. Hitting the lower boundary would mean an electric-ready Miata could match or barely exceed the current ND-generation model. The entry-level North American MX-5 weighs in at 2,341 pounds.

For all this talk about the Miata's zero-emission powertrain, it's easy to forget internal combustion is far from dead at Mazda. The upcoming roadster is widely expected to debut utilizing the manufacturer's brand-new 2.5-liter Skyactiv-Z four-cylinder engine.

Because the current ND generation is expected to enjoy an extended production run stretching past a decade from its 2015 debut, the next-gen "NE" Miata isn't expected to arrive until 2028 at the earliest.

Beyond future-proofing the brand's accessible sports car, Moro is aching to fill the void at the top end of Mazda's showrooms. While the MX-5 will continue to act as the benchmark for budget-friendly sports cars, the CEO is once again talking about a brand halo deeply tied to Mazda's heritage.

“I want a ‘hero car’ for Mazda, a true flagship model that perfectly embodies our brand values. While we have the MX-5 for affordable sportiness and intend to continue producing it, we're still missing a top model at the upper end of the range."

Though specifics remain non-existent, it's easy to assume this top-tier coupe would serve as a spiritual successor to the legendary RX-7.