Next Mazda MX5 to be electric.

Should solve the horsepower issue. 

It's not clear it will be an EV, only that it won't be ICE-only:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-mazda-mx-5-miata-electrified-future-cars/

Well E36 M3. I've been waiting for a new gen Miata to come out, but if it's not going to have a manual trans, might just have to buy one of the last of the ICE-y ones. 

It will be interesting to see how they deal with the added weight and complexity of the hybrid system. On the face of it, both are pretty un-Miataesque atributes.

GameboyRMH said:

It's not clear it will be an EV, only that it won't be ICE-only:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-mazda-mx-5-miata-electrified-future-cars/

I suspect a mild-hybrid or whatever it's called. I don't think anyone wants the NE to be larger and 2800lbs. 

This story just keeps coming around and everyone seems to read it as "Oh noes, EV!"

It'll be electrified. Mazda's been clear about that for at least a year. That includes mild hybrid, which would actually work pretty nicely and be completely transparent. Apparently the 1.5 Skyactiv is a really fun little engine, and a bit of extra hybrid boost would make it acceptable to US drivers. If it's not built to be a PHEV, the battery weight can be kept pretty low.

The Miata will never have the most horsepower on the block. That's not how Mazda sees the car. They'll continue to emphasize feel and driving pleasure. I expect it will be the last car on the market to offer a manual transmission, even if 1 out of every 3 buyers choses an automatic these days.

z31maniac said:

GameboyRMH said:

It's not clear it will be an EV, only that it won't be ICE-only:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-mazda-mx-5-miata-electrified-future-cars/

I suspect a mild-hybrid or whatever it's called. I don't think anyone wants the NE to be larger and 2800lbs. 

Technically it won't be an NE, or even an NF. Those chassis codes were assigned to the Fiat 124 by Mazda. So it will have to be an NG. Yes, I will accept my Internet Pedantry award through the mail and not in person.

In reply to NickD :

Technically Mazda can still make NE and NF based on the VIN. The first 3 digits for the Miatas are JM1(ND), while the Fiats start with JC1(NE or NF). So JM1NE isn't taken.

volvoclearinghouse said:

Well E36 M3. I've been waiting for a new gen Miata to come out, but if it's not going to have a manual trans, might just have to buy one of the last of the ICE-y ones. 

This is a big reason I felt good buying my ND new. It may be one of the last truly lightweight, manual trans, naturally-aspirated ICE-only sports cars ever made. 

Honestly, if the weight gain is low, adding some electric power and torque to the Miata chassis would be pretty exciting. It's still 400lbs lighter than the BRZ/86 now. If it gets a good power bump I would definitely take one for a test drive.

NickD said:

z31maniac said:

GameboyRMH said:

It's not clear it will be an EV, only that it won't be ICE-only:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-mazda-mx-5-miata-electrified-future-cars/

I suspect a mild-hybrid or whatever it's called. I don't think anyone wants the NE to be larger and 2800lbs. 

Technically it won't be an NE, or even an NF. Those chassis codes were assigned to the Fiat 124 by Mazda. So it will have to be an NG. Yes, I will accept my Internet Pedantry award through the mail and not in person.

So Fiat was responsible for the previous generations of Miata being NA, NB, and NC? 

In the voice of Johnny Carson, "I did not know that."

In reply to z31maniac :

When Fiat asked Mazda to build them a new 124 on the Mazda assembly line, they got a chassis code in the existing Miata sequence. The 124 is just a body kit and engine swap away from being pure Miata.

I knew about NF, I didn't know about NE. 

Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:

It will be interesting to see how they deal with the added weight and complexity of the hybrid system. On the face of it, both are pretty un-Miataesque atributes.

You have less faith in Miata engineers than I do.   If you read their goals when they first designed it. You'd agree with me. 
 They get it. 

frenchyd said:

Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:

It will be interesting to see how they deal with the added weight and complexity of the hybrid system. On the face of it, both are pretty un-Miataesque atributes.

You have less faith in Miata engineers than I do.   If you read their goals when they first designed it. You'd agree with me. 
 They get it. 

He didn't say they couldn't, nor did he imply it. He said he was curious how they will implement it. 

Keith Tanner said:

This story just keeps coming around and everyone seems to read it as "Oh noes, EV!"

It'll be electrified. Mazda's been clear about that for at least a year. That includes mild hybrid, which would actually work pretty nicely and be completely transparent. Apparently the 1.5 Skyactiv is a really fun little engine, and a bit of extra hybrid boost would make it acceptable to US drivers. If it's not built to be a PHEV, the battery weight can be kept pretty low.

The Miata will never have the most horsepower on the block. That's not how Mazda sees the car. They'll continue to emphasize feel and driving pleasure. I expect it will be the last car on the market to offer a manual transmission, even if 1 out of every 3 buyers choses an automatic these days.

Just remember, from a legal standpoint, it will still be an EV. A mild hybrid Miata meetings CARBs EV mandate. 

alfadriver said:

Keith Tanner said:

This story just keeps coming around and everyone seems to read it as "Oh noes, EV!"

It'll be electrified. Mazda's been clear about that for at least a year. That includes mild hybrid, which would actually work pretty nicely and be completely transparent. Apparently the 1.5 Skyactiv is a really fun little engine, and a bit of extra hybrid boost would make it acceptable to US drivers. If it's not built to be a PHEV, the battery weight can be kept pretty low.

The Miata will never have the most horsepower on the block. That's not how Mazda sees the car. They'll continue to emphasize feel and driving pleasure. I expect it will be the last car on the market to offer a manual transmission, even if 1 out of every 3 buyers choses an automatic these days.

Just remember, from a legal standpoint, it will still be an EV. A mild hybrid Miata meetings CARBs EV mandate. 

Sure, we just need to separate "EV" from "BEV" which is not usually done. The language of the legislation doesn't quite line up with the language of the population in this case.

In reply to frenchyd :

Pointless comment is pointless.  

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Rarely does. Causes a ton of confusion.  Like the 56mpg rule.