Photograph Courtesy Mazda; Illustration by Colin Wood
When it comes to electrified sports cars (both hybrid and fully electric) there are quite a few options currently on the market from manufactures like Chevrolet, Porsche, BMW, Mini and even Ferrari–but what about one of the core pillars of our world, the Mazda Miata?
If Mazda switched the Miata to a hybrid, or even an all-electric powertrain, would you still be interested in buying one? Why or why not?
The next Miata IS going to be electrified according to Mazda, so it's kind of a moot point :) Their plan is for a fully electrified lineup by 2030, which will pretty much have to include the next-gen Miata.
I expect a mild hybrid with the intention of improving throttle response and more torque. I don't think it'll be a plug-in, merely a cyborg that has abilities beyond a simple ICE. And I think it'll be a fun drive, as that could be a really responsive powerplant.
Functionaly....That could work. Especially since most Miata driving is in-city low mileage use.
The availability of torque and acceleration from the get-go would be a big personality change for a small-bore sports car.
The tradeoff would be weight. There is, to me, a value to a nimble lightweight car that would probably be lost with a EV of any sort. Batteries are heavy. Could the car still be delivered under 3000 lbs?
Price-wise, it would run into the same reason I never bought the wife-unit a Prius; they cost a lot more than a real engine and there is no real return on the price bump unless you drive a metric E36 M3-ton of miles. A Miata is already 50k in Canada and I see this bumping the price up another 10k if I follow the Prius-tax. The question then becomes how big is the market that can afford/justify the toy regardless of how much they like it?
https://www.autoblog.com/2023/04/17/mg-cyberster-production-version-revealed-ev-roadster/
Not planned for the U.S., but wow...500+hp with great styling.
About the personality change: Mazda has been moving towards more torque and more "low end power" in the Miata since 1994. First the 1.8 with a cam profile that didn't have the high RPM sparkle, then the 2.0 MZR which was effective but didn't really reward being spun out, then the 2.0 Skyactiv that lost interest at 6000 - all of which added more grunt at low RPM. The 2019 rework added that top end sparkle again but it also improved driveability down low.
If the same team works on the next Miata that worked on the ND, there will be a lot of attention paid to weight. The nice thing about batteries is that you can often install them low and central, which is good for handling, and a car that's only using the batteries to add occasional punch doesn't need a lot of capacity. The battery pack in a new Prius is something like 60 lbs. That's less than the weight penalty for the RF top.
The purpose of a hybridized Miata won't be efficiency, so the ROI on the extra cost will not really be relevant. You're buying a driving experience, not trying to minimize outlay.
And psst, a Miata starts at $36,369 Cdn in Canada. I checked two Ottawa dealers and while I couldn't find $36k, I found a number of cars in stock at $41k or so.
They can do whatever they want but I don't see myself ever buying an electric vehicle other than an electric 4 wheel scooter for when I get old.
I'm not a new car buyer, but if I was I would consider an electric Miata.
calteg said:https://www.autoblog.com/2023/04/17/mg-cyberster-production-version-revealed-ev-roadster/
Not planned for the U.S., but wow...500+hp with great styling.
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Looks like a hot mess to me. Also 4400 pounds and bigger than it looks. Not exactly Miata territory. IMHO, China can keep it.
Tell me about weight, handling, cost, range and how fast it recharges. When battery tech lowers cost and lowers charging times and reduces reliance on rate earth minerals, electric cars will become the norm. It's just a matter of time.
No I don't think so. I like an ev, but the things I like about them are not the things I'd look for in a fun small sports car.
Although I feel like if anyone could build an electric sports car and keep the fun, it would be Mazda.
edit: "Today's picks for you" on my FB marketplace is mostly 90s Fords, rusty vans, and old lawnmowers so I'm probably a poor example of the new car market and you shouldn't take anything I say too seriously :P
Absolutely.
And for those that are scared of the heft of batteries...have a look at the Tesla Plaid that podiumed at last year's One Lap of America.
After trying to catch that thing on track, which handled as well as my car...on smaller tires..despite weighing 1000 lbs more, I did some math.
The key is the effect of cg on weight transfer. Those batteries are placed way down low in the car, effectively lowering the cg substantially. And cg height is in the denominator of the weigh transfer equation, so small moves have a large impact. In short, the Tesla transfers less weight in a corner, therefore utilizing the inside tire better...despite weighing a lot more.
I'll have some of that, please.
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