Mazda Trademarks MX-6e in Multiple CountriesMazdaIt may feel like Mazda has been exploring the idea of a sports car above the iconic MX-5 Miata for decades, but the company has only been publicly considering its higher-end sports car options for a mere 14 years. That's how much time has passed since the RX-8 ended its long production run—a run of nearly a decade and a half of trademarks, concepts, and tantalizing executive quotes, but all without a car to show for them. And at the risk of giving Mazda enthusiasts hope of a proverbial fire, the company has once again made some smoke.This time, it comes in the form of a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filing for "MX-6e," a name that would seemingly signal a two-door positioned above the MX-5 Miata that would be electrified in some way. To that end, it would potentially seem to be a fitting production badge for the range-extended sports car concept the company shown off in 2023. (Road & Track has reached out to Mazda for comment; we'll update this story if we receive additional information from the brand.)But that might not be the only promising name potentially being considered by Mazda. CarBuzz, the outlet that found the original MX-6e trademark, also notes that while MX-6e has had trademarks filed for it in Peru and Germany, the name "MX-7e" has also been registered in Peru. That wide-spread placement might suggest that there are multiple possible futures being considered for Mazda sports cars.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe MX-6 name was originally used on a Ford Probe-based, front-wheel drive sports coupe. Mazda has never sold an MX-7, but the badge would notable evoke most of the naming convention of all three generations of rotary-powered RX-7. The carmaker has repeatedly left the door open for a new sports car, most recently responding to questions on the subject earlier this year. Whether or not the brand actually builds anything like either of those past coupes or recent concepts in the near future, we do at least know that a fifth-generation Miata is being planned.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State
