Mazda has confirmed that the next-generation MX-5 Miata will are available 2026 and will likely be “electrified.” Although the automaker stopped wanting saying what stage of electrification that may entail – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electrical.

The affirmation is gentle on particulars, although Mazda mentioned it might work with Rohm Semiconductor to develop electrical motors and with Envision AESC for batteries.

Again in 2019, we reported that Mazda was contemplating electrifying the subsequent Miata. At the moment, it wasn’t clear whether or not it was speaking about absolutely electrical or hybrid – and with this information, it nonetheless isn’t. However we suspect that it’ll in all probability be a standard or plug-in hybrid, fairly than absolutely electrical.

Mazda’s branding and R&D chiefs on the time said that the automobile and model wanted to shift in the direction of being extra eco-friendly, however that the principle aim of the MX-5 is to stay light-weight, which is a problem with the load of electrical automobile batteries.

Since then, Mazda has said that the Miata would finally be electrified, however now we’ve received a date: 2026 mannequin yr, which implies the automobile will possible be on the street in mid-2025.

The Miata is an exceptionally light-weight automobile – the 2023 MX-5 mannequin has a curb weight of round 2,400lbs. For comparability to some gentle EVs, the unique Tesla Roadster, which employed costly and light-weight carbon fiber extensively, weighed ~2,800lbs, and the same Caterham Undertaking V idea will weigh ~2,600.

Not solely that, however the Miata is an reasonably priced automobile, not only a light-weight one. Each of the aforementioned EVs are priced within the six determine vary, whereas the MX-5 begins for beneath $30k.

However there are different lower-priced light-weight EVs, like the three,000lb Mini Cooper SE at $30k and the defunct 2,900lb BMW i3 which first began at $42k.

So there’s actually a problem right here, but it surely’s not unachievable, particularly as EV batteries proceed to enhance in vitality density. With trendy batteries, a shorter-range, light-weight Miata might be doable.

However regardless, given Mazda’s historical past with electrification, we suspect this will likely be a hybrid mannequin fairly than absolutely electrical.

Mazda has been one of many slowest within the trade to undertake EV expertise. Japanese automakers normally have been laggards on EV tech, and Mazda has the least-ambitious 2030 EV aim within the US. Its first EV, the MX-30, was not an incredible effort, and solely offered 505 automobiles in its preliminary run (it got here again this yr, however has solely offered 66 models).

Alternatively, Mazda has claimed it needs to promote solely EVs and hybrids by 2030, and extra lately, Mazda did pull again the curtain on its EV plans and confirmed a really cool “Imaginative and prescient examine” idea, a modern, low, two-door roadster which appeared prefer it might be the evolution of the Miata:

Whereas that idea is gentle on particulars, it clearly appears so much like a Miata, and was launched alongside a dialogue on Mazda’s EV plans, so most thought that it might flip into some kind of electrified Miata.

As for the MX-30, one cause it wasn’t nice is as a result of its clear that the automobile was designed to be a PHEV, and solely made into an EV for compliance with California’s emissions guidelines. The MX-30 finally got here out as a PHEV abroad, and it would truly be fairly good as a PHEV.

Whereas hybrids and PHEVs are extra complicated than EVs – stuffing two powertrains right into a automobile as an alternative of 1 – the discount in battery weight may end up in decrease total weight for the car however nonetheless give among the advantages of electrification, like partial zero-emission operation (within the case of a PHEV) and faster acceleration from electrical motors (for each hybrids and PHEVs).

So having an electrical motor onboard in any type will certainly assist the Miata’s well-known enjoyable issue, which has at all times been somewhat bit held again by its small 2L 4-cylinder engine.

Electrek’s Take

Longtime readers could know that any time Mazda comes up, there’s precisely one factor that we at Electrek wish to hear: that the Miata goes electrical. It comes up each time anybody talks about Mazda in our newsroom. And we get a whole lot of feedback right here saying the identical.

So clearly, this comes as nice information to us. We’ve been begging for it for years, and it’s lastly right here (nicely… in 2026).

Nevertheless, Mazda is being cagey right here through the use of the phrase “electrified.” It is a little bit of a weasel phrase within the automotive trade, to make automaker electrical automobile efforts look extra superior than they’re. PHEVs don’t truly decrease emissions as a lot as they declare, as we’ve seen in a number of research, and traditional hybrids nonetheless get 100% of their vitality from gasoline, and thus don’t actually assist a complete lot in getting us off of fossil fuels, which is required within the face of local weather change.

We’re certain {that a} hybrid Miata will likely be extra enjoyable than a gasoline model, so long as Mazda doesn’t deliberately gradual it right down to really feel extra like a gasoline automobile… because it did with the MX-30.

However we’re additionally certain {that a} correct all-electric Miata could be much more enjoyable than the hybrid, and easier too as a result of it doesn’t have to suit two powertrains into the identical automobile.

Whereas weight is actually a priority, and so is price, these each might be solved through the use of a smaller battery. As a lot because the market appears to suppose it wants huge vary numbers on each automobile, the Miata isn’t a automobile you’re going to take the household on a roadtrip in anyway, and quick charging could be enough to permit individuals to get out and stretch their legs each now and again.

As a Tesla Roadster proprietor myself (I actually like small automobiles), individuals usually ask if I want the automobile had extra vary, or Supercharging functionality, and my reply is: the automobile is so tiny that I wouldn’t take it on a roadtrip anyway, and admittedly, I’d fairly have a lighter battery than extra vary.

So Mazda may make use of this feature – a smaller, cheaper, lighter battery, mounted low within the automobile, with an engine within the rear (and thus no driveshaft tunnel, saving weight and complexity and inside house).

It in all probability gained’t be 2,400lbs, and it in all probability gained’t be $30,000 (a minimum of within the manufacturing numbers Mazda would possible goal), however I’ve religion that Mazda may get within the ballpark of these two numbers, whereas providing a very distinctive and improved driving expertise from the traditional Miatas.

I gained’t maintain my breath, trigger I nonetheless doubt we’ll see it, however I’d like to be stunned.