Next-generation Mazda MX-5 will likely be a hybrid of some sort

Senior executives from Mazda Europe have revealed a few details about the next-generation MX-5, which will likely have some form of electrification.

Jo Stenuit, Mazda Europe’s design director, told AutoRAI.nl the company “did a project in 2024 where we explored the possibilities for the [next-generation] MX-5”.

Although “nothing is set in stone yet”, Mr Stenuit is “certain” the ‘NE’ MX-5 “will have some form of electric power assistance”. He went on to say a mild-hybrid system would be the minimum offering.

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If a mild hybrid system is indeed coming to the next MX-5, it could allow the roadster to join the electrification era while still offering a manual transmission option. The Honda CR-Z pulled off this trick, albeit with limited sales success, a decade or so ago.

It would also allow the MX-5 to save some fuel without adding much weight. As Mr Stenuit admits, the MX-5 “stands above all for fun, light weight and affordability [and] if any of those three aspects are missing, it’s not an MX-5”.

Christian Schultze, Mazda Europe’s director of research and operations, went further, postulating that synthetic fuels and a “relatively light form of electrification” would allow the next MX-5 to “maintain the light weight and direct character, while working towards emissions reduction”.

The push towards to electrifying the MX-5 is being driven solely by emissions regulations, and not the quest for extra power. As Mr Schultze is keen to reiterate, “the MX-5 isn’t about maximum horsepower [because] you don’t need extreme power to experience driving pleasure”.

Although the EU’s Euro 7 rules aren’t any stricter than the outgoing Euro 6 regulations, the bloc has set tightening fleet-wide CO2 limits for automakers with harsh penalties.

These limits have forced automakers to trade emissions credits, and add hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV options to their offerings. Indeed Mazda has Japan been forced to rebadge the Toyota Yaris Hybrid as the Mazda 2 in order to bring its CO2 numbers down.

It has also prompted some companies to cull their petrol-only sports cars, like Toyota and Subaru with their GR86/BRZ siblings.

While the current ‘ND’ MX-5 is rapidly approaching its 11th birthday, Mazda isn’t rushing development of its replacement, with Mr Stenuit saying it’s at least a “few” years away. According to Mr Schultze, the company is still “mainly focused on the current MX-5 and how we can best preserve and further develop it”.

MORE: Explore the Mazda MX-5 showroom