Mazda MX-5 News

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.According to Mazda Motor Corporation General Manager of Global Sales and Marketing, Manabu Osuga, the next MX-5 will likely not adopt any form of electrification if it is to achieve the goal of weighing as close to, or even under, 1000kg.“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.”

Sales of petrol-powered cars are declining in the Australian new vehicle market and the popularity of electric propulsion is on a fuel price-driven tear, but there are some significant models bucking the EV transition trend.According to data from industry statistician VFacts and the Electric Vehicle Council, year-on-year sales of pure-electric vehicles were up 92.1 per cent at the end of the first quarter (34,382 vs 17,901 units) with EV uptake rising by 88.9 per cent in March compared to the same month last year (15,839 vs 8385 units).At the same time, sales of petrol-powered vehicles have decreased by 17.8 per cent YTD (101,147 vs 123,132) and 20.1 per cent for the month of March (34,694 vs 43,784).And it’s worth noting hybrid sales are in line with 2025 so far this year (46,952 vs 47,014), which may be explained by a supply shortage in the first quarter for Toyota’s top-selling RAV4. Plug-in hybrids are up 40.2 per cent (13,715 vs 19,230).But despite oil supply shortages caused by the current conflict in Iran sending the price of petrol through the roof, several conventionally-powered models have seen sales grow strongly so far this year.  Kia’s compact K4 has clearly built a strong following with the sedan arriving here early in 2025 and the hatch version joining it late in the year.From a modest launch base year-on-year sales are up no less than 240.8 per cent (2771 vs 813 units), the sleek 1.6- and 2.0-litre five-seater now standing as the Korean brand’s third-best seller so far in 2026.And Kia’s Seltos small SUV hit a purple patch in March with sales up 13.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2025 (849 vs 746).Mazda’s evergreen CX-5 medium SUV is up 12 per cent YTD (6247 vs 5538), likely winning over Toyota RAV4 prospects unwilling to wait the three to six months it currently takes to put the previous category-leader on your driveway.The CX-5 (6247 units) is now in a mid-size SUV cage fight with the Mitsubishi Outlander (6363 units) for category leadership.On the subject of Mazda, the long-serving fourth-generation version of the Japanese maker’s iconic MX-5 sports car has jumped 34.2 per cent so far this year (196 vs 146) with 90 sold in the month of March compared to just 34 last year (+164.7 per cent). And thumbing your nose at EVs via a roofless petrol-powered car must be a theme because the Mini Convertible is up 202 per cent YTD (103 vs 34 units).Then, despite Porsche taking a hit in sales overall so far in 2026, the latest iteration of its celebrated 911 is up a healthy 182.8 per cent (345 vs 122) YTD. What fuel price increase?

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