As we’ve said already, Mazda is looking to put some kind of hybrid system into the MX-5 Miata. However, that new technology will be available later than expected, and that test prototype people saw this summer is likely a new refresh for the ND (current generation) meant to last until around 2026.
Over a week ago, Mazda outlined its electric reform. The target is to have at least 25% BEVs by 2030, although the number could be higher. These plans aren’t set in stone because advancements in battery technology are needed, and Mazda simply doesn’t have the development budget of say Toyota or Nissan.
However, this EV switch does allow Mazda to keep its effervescent roadster alive. Japanese scoop website Best Car claims that the 5th generation of the MX-5 will not arrive until around 2026, which is pretty unusual. The NB and NC both lasted for around 7 years, and the current ND is already about that old, having made its debut in 2015.
The ND will be in production for 10 years
Don’t get us wrong; it’s already the perfect little roadster, and there’s a chance they’ll mess it up with hybrid technology, so it’s a good thing engineers are being allowed such a long development time. While we wait, a cosmetic update for the ND will come out in the next 12 months.
The article is pretty clear that Mazda wants to have 3 BEVs (battery electric vehicles), 5 PHEVs (plug-in hybrids), and 5 HV (hybrid vehicles). However, it just calls the Miata a “hybrid”. In their article, they do have a quote from automotive critic Naoya Suzuki in which he says a “strong hybrid with a small engine is too much waste” referring to the effect batteries would have on the Miata’s lightweight philosophy.
So it’s likely some kind of compromise will be made, where it’s either just 48V hybrid assist or the battery is as small as possible. We recently talked about the GR86 also going hybrid recently, and how it’s pretty rare to have a manual gearbox in this setup.
Power gains are likely to compensate for what weight they have to add, with the Japanese source saying the 2026 Miatas are targeting 148 hp (150 PS) with the 1.5-liter base engine and 197 hp (200 PS) with the bigger 2.0-liter. And yes, in case you didn’t know, the Miata still has a base engine, a 1.5-liter similar to the one you used to get on the Mazda2, but it’s not available Stateside.
Unanswered questions: Does a manual hybrid work? How much weight will be added?
Despite what you might think because of the Prius, hybrid cars with manual gearboxes do work. In fact, Honda built a specific sports hybrid just to prove that, the tiny CR-Z. Unless we’re mistaken, Ford has a great example of a small mild-hybrid system with a manual. Both the Fiesta and the Puma crossover have this in Europe, making over 150 hp from a 1.0-liter turbo. It recuperates energy while slowing down, adds torque plus it makes for a better start-stop system.
Full hybrids that can travel on electricity, even at slow speed, don’t have manual gearboxes because there’s no advantage of a 6-speed working in conjunction with pure electric power. It works better as “power assist,” but that doesn’t mean Mazda can’t try.
As for the weight, it depends. Suzuki is a great example of this, another Japanese automaker, even smaller than Mazda, that’s been forced to comply with new regulations. On the subcompact crossover called Vitara, Suzuki’s 48V system adds 45 kilos or 100 lbs. It consists of a Lithium battery storing 8 Ah under the seat and an e-motor that can add 13 hp and 37 lb-ft of torque.
