Unveiled last November, the stylish Vision Study concept shown here underscores Mazda’s long-term commitment to creating enjoyable cars. This may or may not have been a first look at the next generation Miata, but enthusiasts need not worry as the MX-5 will be a permanent fixture in the lineup. We mean that literally since the CEO of the company in Europe, Martijn ten Brink, said Coach at the Brussels Motor Show 2023, the sports car “will never die”.
Asked what the Zoom-Zoom company has in store for its beloved rear-drive convertible, ten Brink said: “How do you stay true to the concept of what the car stands for to take it into the next generation of technologies? It hasn’t been decided. But I think for Mazda it would be fair to say that the MX-5 will never die.”
He went on to mention that it will “definitely stay in the lineup” and is curious to see where the next generation will go. In the meantime, the ND is sticking around. Typically, selling largely the same car for eight years (and more) means it’s at risk of becoming obsolete, but those who buy the Miata appreciate it for its simplicity: naturally aspirated engines, RWD and one of the best manual transmissions in the industry. .
It’s also one of the most affordable sports cars money can buy, although prices have been rising in recent years. Any form of hybridization for the NE would likely have a premium due to the added complexity of the powertrain. To meet Euro 7 regulations in EU countries, a partially electrified configuration has already been suggested by Yasuhiro Aoyama, director and general manager of Mazda.
A first test mule of the Miata NE might have been spotted in September 2022. Even if that’s true, the production-ready vehicle is unlikely to go on sale in the foreseeable future. Whenever that happens, Mazda has promised to keep the RWD+ICE formula alive for the fifth-generation model. An electric MX-5 is inevitable, but we don’t see that happening anytime soon. Maybe with NF?
