Mazda's Upcoming Miata Conceals an Exciting Surprise Under the Hood | Carscoops

      Meeting stringent emissions standards would have resulted in a less powerful 2.0-liter MX-5, so it is being upgraded.

      Mazda's upcoming MX-5 Miata will feature a larger inline-four engine. A manual transmission will continue to be standard, as confirmed by a senior executive to R&T.

      Mazda also explored the possibility of an MX-5 EV, but the emphasis on low weight favors an internal combustion engine.

      For 35 years, the Mazda MX-5 has demonstrated that a lot of power isn't necessary for enjoyment. However, output levels of the Miata have increased over the past three decades, and strict new emissions regulations posed a risk of making the next generation slower and less powerful. In response, Mazda is equipping the upcoming sports car with an engine nearly a full liter larger than the original 1989 version, while still maintaining a manual transmission.

      The 2027 MX-5 will feature a 2.5-liter variant of Mazda's SkyActiv Z engine, according to the company's CTO, Ryuichi Umeshita, speaking to Road & Track. This is in contrast to the 2.0-liter engine found in America's 2025 Miata and significantly larger than the 1.5-liter capacity of the sole model currently available in Europe, as well as the 1.6-liter capacity of the first NA model.

      Before enthusiasm rises for a 230 hp (233 PS) naturally aspirated MX-5, Umeshita cautions that the new 2.5 may not produce significantly more power than the existing 2.0 engine, which delivers 181 hp (184 PS) in the US but was upgraded to 197 hp (200 PS) in Japan for the Spirit Racing version. The increase in engine size primarily serves to offset losses due to new emissions regulations rather than to enhance performance.

      Performance Enhancements Through Weight Reduction

      "The current power-to-weight ratio is sufficient," said the 37-year Mazda veteran. "We don't believe the car requires more power."

      However, the new model might still be faster than the 2025 version, as Mazda’s remarks indicate that it could be lighter. Design chief Masashi Nakayama informed Road & Track that his team is aiming for a curb weight of "under a tonne (2,205 lbs)."

      The lightest ND MX-5 available in the US weighs 2,366 lbs (1,073 kg), whereas Japan had the ultra-light 1.5-liter 990S, named for its 990 kg (2,183 lbs) weight, achieved by reducing sound insulation and minimizing weight from the brakes, wheels, and infotainment system.

      Questions Regarding Electrification Persist

      While the R&T interview did not mention hybrid technology, Mazda has previously indicated that the next MX-5 will incorporate some form of electric assistance, and the Skyactiv-Z engine family—which will debut in the 2027 CX-5—is designed with future electrification in mind.

      Integrating hybrid technology while keeping the weight below 2,200 lbs is a substantial challenge. More information, including which styling elements from the Iconic SP concept the new model will adopt, will be revealed as we approach the debut of the 2027 MX-5, which may occur next year.