Mazda teases electric sports car – is it the next MX-5?

Mazda will unveil an electric sports car concept at the Tokyo motor show later this month – with the Japanese car-maker hinting the production model could be a battery-powered version of its iconic MX-5.

In a media statement, Mazda announced its plans to showcase multiple generations of the MX-5 sports car at its Tokyo motor show stand – alongside a “new concept car designed to symbolise the exhibit theme”.

The car-maker included a dimly-lit teaser image of the sports car’s rear end, showing off its LED tail-lights and red backlit Mazda badge – both of which are akin to the brand's ‘Vision Study Model’, revealed last year.

As reported in July 2023, reputable Japanese publications have claimed the fifth-generation Mazda MX-5 – also known as the ‘NE’ or ‘NG’ – is due to launch between 2026 and 2028.

While previous reports have suggested the new MX-5 could initially be offered with hybrid-petrol power, Japanese magazine Best Car claims Mazda will only offer it with fully-electric, battery propulsion.

"There are various candidates for the power unit that the next Roadster will be equipped with. BEV (battery electric vehicle), HEV (hybrid), PHEV (plug-in hybrid) all possibilities,” read a translation of the Best Car report.

“However as long as the manufacturer has set a goal of 'everything will be electrified by 2030' pure-engine [petrol-only] vehicles will be difficult.”

A facelift of the current-generation Mazda MX-5 – which debuted in 2015 – was announced last week, and is understood to be a stop-gap to elongate the existing model’s showroom run before the NE/NG MX-5 launches.

The Tokyo motor show opens to the media on October 25.