The future of vehicles is electric, and if Mazda is to exist in the years to come, that means they will have to move away from internal combustion power.
The Japanese manufacturer has not been as aggressive in the electric vehicle arena as others. But recently Mazda has devised an electrification strategy, which suggests that they are changing soon.
The question that remains for fans is, how will this strategy affect the much-loved Mazda MX-5 Miata?
That question has not been answered with certainty. However, the latest news from Kuruma News in Japan gives a little idea about the future of the roadster.
Mazda's electrification announcement includes plans for global electrification by 2030. But that doesn't mean all of its products are pure electric vehicles.
Mazda is only targeting a pure EV (electric vehicle) portfolio of 25 percent.
The remaining 75 percent are hybrids that utilize a combination of electric power and internal combustion.
Thus, if the next generation Mazda MX-5 Miata is released after 2030, according to Mazda itself, the iconic sports car will be a hybrid or EV.
According to the news from Kuruma News, Mazda executives were asked directly about this. However, his response was predictably clever.
There is confirmation that the Miata is within the scope of Mazda's electrification plans, but the nature of its electrification has many interpretations.
Of course there are electric roadsters on the streets these days, but the lightweight nature of the Mazda MX-5 Miata has become a claim to fame.
The battery will add weight. So whether the future is hybrid or all-electric, a heavier Mazda MX-5 Miata seems inevitable.
If we only play the odds, The Mazda MX-5 Miata hybrid seems a possible option compared to a dedicated EV.
As many as 75 percent of the Mazda 2030 lineup will offer hybrid power. While the powertrain combination adds weight, it won't be as heavy as an EV entirely.
This also leaves Mazda with some wiggle room to actually create a new electric roadster to take the MX-5 Miata further into the future.
Then again, with the Miata accounting for a fraction of Mazda's overall sales, the electric version might be a better fit for the 25 percent group.
