Mazda Promises A Big Motor For Next-Gen Miata
Mazda is already working on the next generation of the MX-5 Miata with plans to preserve the lightweight, manual-driven experience that has underpinned the Miata for over 30 years.
Key Points
- Mazda confirms the next-generation MX-5 will remain lightweight, target a curb weight under 1,000 kg, and retain a manual transmission.
- A new 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Skyactiv-Z engine will replace the current 2.0L unit, focusing on improved efficiency and performance without turbocharging.
- The next MX-5 is expected after 2027, with no full electrification confirmed; a mild-hybrid setup remains a possibility to meet future emissions standards.
Speaking to Road & Track, Mazda’s design and engineering leadership confirmed the upcoming Miata will stick with a naturally aspirated engine and retain the manual transmission. Welcome news for enthusiasts watching everything in this industry get larger, heavier, and less engaging.
Under the hood, Mazda Chief Technical Officer Ryuichi Umeshita revealed the next Miata will be powered by the new 2.5-liter Skyactiv-Z naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine the company announced late last year. The upcoming engine should deliver improved power and fuel efficiency without succumbing to turbocharging.
The increase in engine displacement from 2.0 to 2.5 liters is tied to Mazda’s use of “lambda one” combustion, designed to create perfect combustion.
Umeshita confirmed that the larger engine will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission—a significant promise considering modern driver assistance systems and regulatory pressures have increasingly favored automatic gearboxes.
While a fully electric MX-5 is not off the table, it does, however, seem unlikely considering how much extra weight an electric powertrain would add, not to mention the muted and dead feeling imparted by pure electric drivetrains. A mild-hybrid setup could be possible, but there is currently no confirmation of electrification for the next-gen model.
Masashi Nakayama, General Manager of Mazda’s Design Division, said the goal is to keep the new car's curb weight under 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds), in line with the lightest variants of the current ND-generation sold in Japan. He also confirmed the new MX-5 will maintain its compact footprint, remaining under four meters in length, making major packaging changes unlikely, and severely limiting the possibility for hybridization.
The next MX-5 is still a few years away—the first production vehicle with the new Skyactiv-Z engine isn't expected until late 2027, starting with a hybrid version of the CX-5. That timeline suggests the Miata successor won't arrive until closer to the end of the decade.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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