Mazda Reveals The Challenge Of MX-5 If Made An Electric Car

Mazda's first electric car, MX-30 EV. (Doc. Mazda)

JAKARTA - Mazda, an automotive manufacturer from Japan, has quite lagging behind in the development of electric cars. Currently, they only have one electric model, MX-30. However, Mazda is trying to move towards electrification with a strategic plan until the end of the decade.

Mazda plans to electrify (hybrid and electric combinations) the entire line of vehicles by 2030, including Mazda MX-5 Miata. Although initially there were concerns from MX-5 Miata fans about the risk of damaging the image of the car by electrification, Mazda R&D Vehicle Development Engineer Dave Coleman, has assured that the iconic MX-5 characteristics will be maintained.

"The suspension is flexible, the fuel savings is good, the driving ability in traffic is very good, and very light. It is the main pillar of making MX-5," Coleman said as quoted by CarBuzz, Thursday, July 27.

Mazda MX-5 RF. (Doc. Mazda)

Regarding concerns about increasing weight due to electric batteries, Coleman realized that this was a big challenge. Weight is a very crucial thing for MX-5, and if not handled properly, it can change the characteristics of this car in driving.

"If you make the car tough, it will be very different. And if you can't reach the mountain road with enough distance to enjoy it, it will also be a very different thing. That's the challenge we face," Coleman explained.

While Mazda plans to present two variants of electric vehicles, including conventional and hybrid engine (ICE) model-based cars, they remain committed to expanding the electric vehicle segment (BEV) by releasing more electrification models between 2028 and 2030. It is planned that their electric vehicles will use a dedicated platform for electric vehicles which is expected to be introduced in the second phase between 2025 and 2027.