The upcoming Mazda MX-5 could be the last to be equipped with a combustion engine
Automotive purists everywhere would do well to prepare both their savings and their tissues. The Mazda MX-5, the best-selling roadster in history and an absolute symbol of pure driving, is getting ready for a new generation. The great news is that the spirit of “Jinba Ittai” (harmony between horse and rider) lives on. The disturbing news? This will most likely be the last generation to smell of gasoline.
The announcement, which sent shockwaves through the enthusiast community, comes straight from the top of the company, more specifically from the brand's head in the Australian market.
An old lady who refuses to age
The current generation Mazda MX-5, known by the ND body code to die-hard fans, has already had a career spanning over 10 years. In an auto industry obsessed with quick facelifts and ever-larger screens, the little roadster's longevity is downright venerable.
However, fans don't have much longer to wait until the next generation is announced. The new iteration is scheduled to arrive no earlier than 2028, according to successive statements from Japanese officials.
The swan song of gasoline
Rumors of the model going fully electrified have been rife, but Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi has made a crucial clarification: The future MX-5 will remain faithful to internal combustion, but for the last time.
"One of the high-ranking representatives who visited us at the beginning of the year said that there will be a new generation MX-5. When? He did not specify. He also implied that it could be the last one equipped with a combustion engine," said Bhindi.
This strategy gives the model a fitting "swan song", a final bow to the classic era of gasoline engines before the inevitable electrification takes over the entire range.
| Feature | Specification |
| Engine | 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated |
| Engine family | Skyactiv-Z |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Curb weight | Under 1.000 kg |
The classic recipe: More power, under a ton
Although the future sounds electric, Mazda engineers want to ensure that the next generation remains a driver's car. The technical details leaked to the press so far paint a highly attractive portrait for enthusiasts:
- A larger engine: Mazda plans to ditch the smaller units in favor of a massive engine by today's standards — a 2.5-liter powerplant from the upcoming Skyactiv-Z engine family.
- No turbo: The unit will remain naturally aspirated, guaranteeing a linear and instantaneous throttle response.
- Pure purism: Power will be delivered exclusively to the rear axle via a 6-speed manual gearbox. The new automatic transmissions simply have no place in this equation.
Perhaps the Japanese automaker's most impressive promise is related to weight. In an era where even compact cars easily exceed 1,500 kilograms, Mazda intends to keep the curb weight of the new MX-5 below the psychological 1,000 kilogram barrier.
If the Japanese manage to combine a 2.5-liter engine with such a lightweight body, the future MX-5 will not just be a simple successor, but promises to instantly become a collector's classic from the first day of production.