Mazda announced some big electrification plans last week, and one big question on enthusiasts’ minds is what that means for the beloved Miata. It’s the last of its kind on the market, a pure sports car in the traditional roadster vein. Adding electrification hardware will increase weight, but lightness — and the driving dynamics that stem from that — has always been a key part of that pure sports car philosophy.
According to Japanese site Kuruma News, Mazda plans to electrify its entire lineup by 2030, but that doesn’t necessarily mean EVs across the board. As we reported last week, Mazda is aiming to have 25 percent of its lineup deriving their power from batteries only. That leaves 75 percent with some kind of gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.
Meanwhile, Motor1 has obtained a statement from Mazda saying that “it is seeking to electrify the MX-5 Miata in an effort to have all models feature a form of electrification by 2030.” It seems that the work is still in its early stages, as Mazda added to the statement, “We will work hard to make it a lightweight, affordable, open two-seater sports car.”
