Mazda CEO: MX-5 Must Prepare for Electric PowerGreg PajoThe fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 has been around since 2015, so it should be no surprise that Mazda executives are actively pondering the Miata's future. And battery-electric power is apparently on the table, according to a new report from Auto Motor und Sport.While speaking with Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro, the German publication asked about the future of the Miata's powertrain. The Japanese automaker previously confirmed that the next-generation roadster will use the new 2.5-liter SkyActiv-Z engine, but that doesn't mean that some form of hybridization is off the table. But the car's electrification could go beyond that Mazda's CEO said.Greg Pajo"The successor 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 said to Auto Motor und Sport.AdvertisementAdvertisementSaving weight has been key to the Miata mindset since its launch in 1990, but an electric powertrain could threaten to put a strain on the bite-sized model. A 2026 Mazda MX-5 Club weighs in at a spry 2366 pounds, only around 200 more than a 1990 model-year Miata. While speaking with Road & Track in 2025, Mazda chief technical officer Ryuichi Umeshita said that lightness cannot be lost."I would say the most important thing is that it is lightweight, and that the second most important thing is that it is lightweight. That is the key — whatever the future MX-5 is, it must be very light," Umeshita told R&T.Andi HendrickThe potential need for a battery-electric powertrain makes Mazda's idealized curb weight for the next generation that much more complicated. Mazda design boss Masashi Nakayama said the target dimensions for the fifth-generation Miata are 2200 pounds and 157 inches. That's actually lighter than the current iteration. Even a small-capacity hybrid battery pack is certain to add significant weight to the roadster, not to mention a large one for pure electric operation.Further complicating the matter is Mazda's commitment to keeping the Miata affordable. The base price for a 2026 Mazda MX-5 is $31,665, which is lower than the $13,800 base price of a 1990 Mazda Miata when adjusted for inflation. Adding carbon fiber or other light-and-strong materials would likely force Mazda to raise the Miata's price.AdvertisementAdvertisementRegardless of what the next-generation Miata becomes, the Japanese automaker remains dedicated to offering a manual transmission in the MX-5. Umeshita previously emphasized that direct driver engagement is essential to the Miata, and that Mazda is determined to keep a stick shift around as long as possible."Manual transmission has the direct feeling, the sense of jinba ittai," Umeshita said, referencing Mazda's expression for the unity of car and driver. "It is key for the package, at least for the MX-5."You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State