2027 Mazda MX-5's surprising omission may make it the best-ever

Mazda has indicated that the incoming, fifth-generation MX-5 will side-step electrification altogether and remain purely petrol-powered – at least, initially.

The new MX-5 is expected to be unveiled sometime next year, in contrast to some earlier reports claiming that the long-lived, two-seater convertible will be replaced by an all-electric coupe in the vein of the Iconic SP concept car first seen at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo.

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“At the moment, electric is going the opposite direction of fulfilling the MX-5’s (core) concept, as it needs to remain a lightweight sportscar, and electric means heavier,” he told CarsGuide last month in Melbourne.

“We want to make the weight less than one tonne before additional equipment, then with additional equipment 1.1 tonne, but we don’t want it to exceed 1.2 tonne (in total) if it is to be a lightweight sportscar.”

However, Osuga-san did indicate that the next MX-5 may be the last of its type, with future iterations likely switching to some sort of electric power, while maintain the basic roadster look and format.

“This might be more of an internal conversation, but the MX-5’s model lifecycle is longer than other models,” he admitted. “Then, once we make the fifth-gen, that might be the last model to use internal combustion.

“So, our focus on the fifth gen is enormous… there are very deep discussions we are having with the executive team on how to make the fifth-gen MX-5 a pure MX-5. From that viewpoint, our intention is: ‘OK, consider this as the last pure ICE model, then what we can do (next) is our discussion.”

Osuga-san believes that it is still possible to refine the combustion process of a naturally-aspirated ICE without the need of heavy hybrid assistance to achieve future emissions and safety regulations within a small, lightweight convertible that’s the same size as today’s ND series.

“(Keeping mass low) is what we need to protect for (the NE) to be an MX-5,” he explained. “Any electric device is going against that. And also, the size of the car needs to be (like today’s) lightweight sportscar.

“So, from that sense, our first step in our way of thinking is how we can apply pure internal combustion to the car. Then, if it's not the right solution (in the future), then we will think about another solution. But a pure lightweight sportscar is always our starting point.”

Furthermore, as well as not gaining weight, the NE will likely not become any larger, either, as it will follow in the footsteps of the latest CX-5 in being a major reskin of the outgoing model, rather than an all-new-from-the-ground-up redesign (like the ND was), retaining the classic shape and stance.

“With the (current-generation MX-5) ND, we took the concept back to the original,” Osuga-san said. “A lightweight sportscar to have fun in, engaging the customer, engaging the fan in the best way.

“In the fifth-gen, safety protocols, environmental regulations, etc, should make the car heavier.

“But we care about power to weight ratio and that Jinba Ittai feel (Mazda’s long-time marketing spin on how a driver should feel connected to a car as a rider is with a horse) should be at the highest level of that feeling in any MX-5. So, we are putting that DNA in. We will never change that philosophy.

“That car needs to be a lightweight sportscar. And the side proportion of the MX-5 is iconic. Just like (Porsche’s) 911, it is about proportion. For us, the side proportion of the MX-5 is always the branded message.

“Making it a lightweight sportscar is driving everything we are thinking about the fifth gen.”

Osuga-san added that the NE’s designers and engineers are laser-focused in making the best-possible version of the MX-5 that they can, even with all the aforementioned limitations bearing heavily on them.

“We always want to make a ‘wow’ moment for the fans,” he believes. “With the fourth-gen MX-5, we had the wow moment. We want to exceed the fourth-gen with the wow experience for the fifth-gen for fans to experience.”