Mazda CEO: Next Miata Weighs the Same, EV ReadyIllustration by Avarvarii - MotorTrendThe next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata is in development, and the company's global CEO says it'll be about the same weight as the current car while also being ready to accept non-combustion powertrains, meaning an EV is on the table.The CEO Said What?In an interview with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro said, "the successor [to the current Miata] must also be ready for a scenario without a combustion engine. The challenge for us is to make the basic structure lighter without using exotic materials like carbon fiber."Moro went on to say that "the target weight for the engineers is between just under 1,000 and 1,200 kilograms. And I believe we can achieve that."AdvertisementAdvertisementWe reached out to Mazda USA for confirmation and the company provided the following statement: "We are currently considering the development of the next-generation MX-5. It is true that we are considering a weight target (between 1,000 kg and 1,200 kg) to realize the "Jinba ittai" driving experience that is the MX-5's appeal. Regarding the powertrain, we are also exploring various possibilities while considering regulations and other factors."("Jinba ittai" translates roughly to "horse and rider as one" and is Mazda's foundational philosophy for the MX-5 Miata.)2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RFMotorTrendHow Heavy is That?That converts to roughly 2,200 to 2,650 pounds. The most recent current-generation Miatas we've weighed, 2024 model years, were a Club Sport soft-top convertible at 2,352 pounds and a RF Club Sport hard-top convertible at 2,454 pounds. This means the next-generation Miata, codenamed NE, would weigh roughly the same if not a little bit more. Last year, Mazda's Chief Technical Officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, told Road & Track the company's goal was to get the weight below 2,200 pounds, so Moro's goal is not new.While we were not present for this interview, our read is that this does not necessarily mean an EV Miata would weigh 2,650 pounds or less. As presented, Moro's words read as two separate statements, one on the base weight of the next-generation car and one on all the potential powertrains the car could employ. Cleverly, he did not specifically say whether every next-generation Miata model will fall between those weights, though we do hope that's what he meant.2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RFMotorTrend - MotorTrendAn Electric Miata?As quoted, Moro did not say the next Miata will be EV only, or even that the first model of the next generation would be electric. Rather, he said the car must be ready to accept a non-combustion powertrain, which today means either batteries or a hydrogen fuel cell. Given the scarcity of hydrogen fueling stations globally and the growing popularity of EVs abroad (less so in the U.S., but rebounding slowly), an EV powertrain seems the most likely.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis means Mazda needs to find space to put a battery under the little roadster, which currently has a wheelbase of just 90.9 inches. As it's a sports car, placing the battery as low as possible is critical for handling, as it lowers the center of gravity. We see two potential layouts, either the classic skateboard in which the battery is laid out flat under the floor or a T shape in which it's fitted between and behind the seats.This means the new or updated platform will have to be designed to accommodate both a combustion powertrain (gas-powered engine, fuel tank, exhaust, longitudinal driveshaft) as well as an EV powertrain (battery, inverter, electric motor likely mounted transversely). This has already been done with varying degrees of success by other automakers, so the hard part will be keeping both the weight and the price down. Part of the Miata's appeal is its low starting price of $31,665, hence Moro's comment on avoiding pricey materials like carbon-fiber that would drive up the price.2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata and Miata RFMotorTrend - MotorTrendLast year, Umeshita told Road & Track the combustion engine would be Mazda's upcoming Skyactiv-Z 2.5-liter inline-four. It's considerably larger in displacement compared to today's 2.0-liter engine in order to retain the same amount of power while meeting the strictest global emissions and fuel economy laws. To do this, it will run what's called "lambda:1" in which the chemically perfect ratio of fuel and air is delivered at all engine speeds (today's engines aren't that precise). It will not be turbocharged, he said.Umeshita also said "the current power-to-weight ratio is enough," and "we are not planning to add more power to that car." This means the new engine should put out about the same 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque as the current Miata.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt also suggests an EV model would keep the current weight-to-power ratio of 13.0 to 13.5 pounds per horsepower. Given Umeshita also said the EV would be heavier than the gas engine, it would also need to make more power than the gas engine to compensate. How much more depends on how much heavier it is, but it's likely an EV model would be the first factory Miata with more than 200 hp (even the factory turbocharged 2004-2005 Mazdaspeed Miata only made 178 hp).2024 Mazda MX-5 MiataMotorTrend - MotorTrendAfter weight and power, the next biggest question would be EV range. Mazda engineers will need to balance the weight of the battery pack, the cost of the batteries, and the limited amount of space for them. More batteries generally mean more range and power, but also more weight and cost. All that before you even get to charging speed and time.To give you a sense of what Mazda is up against, consider the new Nissan Leaf EV. It's almost exactly the same price, makes similar power, and goes between 259 and 303 miles on a charge. To do that, it has a 75-kWh battery, a single electric motor making 214 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque, and starts at $31,535. It also weighs 4,361 pounds, has a 15-inch longer wheelbase in which it keeps that battery, and is 19.1-inches longer and 3.0-inches wider overall. Mazda has to figure out how to squeeze the same power, and ideally similar range, into a substantially smaller and lighter package. Since we know roughly the power, this means either range or weight will have to give.2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata engineMotorTrend - MotorTrendHope, Despite HistoryWe love the Miata, so we're hopeful, but we also understand how hard this is going to be. Mazda's history with EVs isn't exactly inspiring, its last attempt in our market being the wildly underwhelming MX-30 EV crossover. That car went just 100 miles on a full charge from its 35.5-kWh battery, weighed 3,663 pounds, was about the same size as the Leaf, made 143 hp and 200 lb-ft, and cost $34,695. It was cancelled after just two years. An EV Miata would need to match many of those specs while also weighing significantly less and going substantially farther on a charge. Mazda engineers have pulled off miracles with their comparatively small R&D budget in the past, so here's hoping for another one.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen will we finally see the new NE-generation Miata? Auto Motor und Sport points to other reports in saying it'll be 2028 at the earliest. The current ND generation Miata has been on-sale in the U.S. since 2015, so we hope they're right.