For many, the Mazda MX-5 is one of the world’s greatest sports cars. But its place in the automotive world is at risk thanks to the electric revolution. Electric cars are here to stay, but there is a chance that we may get an MX-5 with electric power in the future. Mazda has hinted at this, and it's something they should do. An electric MX-5 would go a long way in securing the future of the sports car segment.
There is a risk that with electric power becoming more regular, great sports cars could become the thing of the past. But an electric MX-5 would show us that they have a future, and preserve one of the all-time great sports cars. Everybody loves the MX-5, and we want it to stay.
An Electric MX-5 Will Retain The Cars Legendary Handling
Something that the MX-5 has become renown for is its legendary handling. Something that set up the rivalry between it and the Honda S2000. Thanks to its perfect weight distribution, the MX-5 handles beautifully in the corners. With some of the most responsive handling on any sports car. You could argue that only those from Lotus have better handling. The MX-5 is just made for tight and twisty roads, an area in which it really comes into its own. This is only enhanced thanks to the manual transmission that the little sports car possesses.
The lightweight nature of the MX-5 also helps it to handle as well as it does. With a strong connection between the suspension and steering, MX-5 feels like a much more expensive car than it actually is. But it can also be a comfortable and relaxing car to drive, and one that doesn’t intimidate the driver. You haven’t got the fastest car in the world beneath you. But that isn’t what the MX-5 is about. Mazda’s little roadster is all about handling and great agility through the corners. And it's something an electric MX-5 would surely retain from the ICE version.
The MX-5 Needs To Remain In The Mazda Lineup
Perhaps a slightly more simplistic reason, but the MX-5 is a car that has to remain in the Mazda lineup. The MX-5 first appeared in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show, and since then it has gone from strength to strength. It is a core part of the Mazda range, and their most high-profile high-performance vehicle. The fact that it is still such a key part of the companies range is a testament to how well it has sold over the years and how revered it is by consumers.
It would feel wrong to lose the MX-5 for good from the Mazda lineup one day. It’s a car that is now embedded into the fabric of Mazda. The MX-5 is of course sold globally, and production exceeded the one million figure back in 2016. An achievement that even in 2023 is still incredible. Mazda has also used the current Mazda ND platform for the MX-5 to help with the creation of the Fiat 124 Spider and Abarth 124 Spider. Showing the versatility of the MX-5s platform. A Mazda without the MX-5 wouldn’t feel like Mazda.
How Likely Is An Electric Mazda MX-5?
The big question is whether an electric MX-5 is even a possibility at the moment. Mazda did hint that one may be one on the way at the tail-end of 2022 during a promotional event. They are investing billions of dollars in electric vehicles, and a sleek coupe was also shown alongside a variety of MX-5 convertibles. This, and the lack of exhausts on the concept, potentially hinted at an early version of an electric MX-5. That is something quite exciting, and it's great to see that Mazda may well already be looking into the future of the MX-5.
There is yet to be an official world on this next-generation of the MX-5. We know that for now the sports car is sticking with ICE power. Beyond that though we may see a hybrid, we may see a full electric MX-5. The future of the MX-5 may well be incredibly exciting.
An Electric MX-5 Is Exciting For Sports Cars Future
The possibility of an electric Mazda MX-5 is hugely exciting for the future of sports cars. The segment as we know it will change dramatically. As automotive manufacturers move away from ICE power for good in favor of hybrid and electric power. That is something that we just have to accept. But the early talk of an electric MX-5 gives us hope that the future of the segment is still set to be very bright indeed. But we will miss churning through the gears as we weave our MX-5 through tight and twisty country roads.
Source: Mazda