First, like most of the Japanese manufacturers, Mazda bet against electric vehicles. They focused R&D on improving engine efficiency and getting their engines to run on hydrogen. If Mazda wants to make electric vehicles now, they have to play catch-up, or license key technologies from other manufacturers.
Second, batteries are heavy. For sedans and mid-size crossovers, this isn't much of a problem. EVs of that class are about the same weight as combustion vehicles. But for a lightweight sports car with decent range, batteries would be a big chunk of the total weight. Tesla's 85kWh battery weighs around 1,200lbs. If your desired weight is 2,500lbs, that only leaves 1,300lbs for the actual car. Yes you can save some weight by making the battery part of the structure, and you don't need an exhaust system, engine block, alternator, intake, etc, but it's still a tough set of constraints to work within.
Why do customers want sports cars to be light? Well all else equal, a lighter vehicle will have better performance. But even when all else isn't equal, vehicle weight can drastically affect driving enjoyment. I have a 4,048lb Model 3 Performance and a 2,182lb Mazda Miata. In terms of specs, the Model 3 is better in every way. It can accelerate, brake, and turn better than the Miata. It even has more range than the Miata. But the Model 3 feels like it's using brute force to beat inertia into submission. (Don't get me wrong, that can be fun.) The Miata is the opposite. Its light weight means that there's very little inertia to overcome, and something about that is extremely satisfying. It's almost like having a street legal go-kart. Until battery technology improves, an electric version just won't have the same appeal.
Going with this theme, the idea of a battery car with longer range is appealing to me. However a smaller battery but quick charging would mostly remove the need.
I’m not sure I want to drive around with a capacitor in the boot, but a huge battery isn’t ideal either.
It would be theoretically possible to have a small battery ("just a 60 mile/100km range, or even smaller) combined with a generator, but I don't know if markets would appreciate that.
You’d think its a different time now that the kids who grew up lusting over these cars now have money for one, enough money to create a new car market where even a pickup truck can be almost six figures optioned out
I'm literally waiting for it, have been for quite a while. Small cars have numerous benefits over just being sporty. An electric, or even a hybrid 86/BRZ or miata would be great, but can't be compared to the mini or fiat, and while tesla might be fast, it's huge. Even with a price increase these could be more affordable than a lot of sports cars. The 86/BRZ has been a huge seller too.
ggreer|1 year ago
First, like most of the Japanese manufacturers, Mazda bet against electric vehicles. They focused R&D on improving engine efficiency and getting their engines to run on hydrogen. If Mazda wants to make electric vehicles now, they have to play catch-up, or license key technologies from other manufacturers.
Second, batteries are heavy. For sedans and mid-size crossovers, this isn't much of a problem. EVs of that class are about the same weight as combustion vehicles. But for a lightweight sports car with decent range, batteries would be a big chunk of the total weight. Tesla's 85kWh battery weighs around 1,200lbs. If your desired weight is 2,500lbs, that only leaves 1,300lbs for the actual car. Yes you can save some weight by making the battery part of the structure, and you don't need an exhaust system, engine block, alternator, intake, etc, but it's still a tough set of constraints to work within.
Why do customers want sports cars to be light? Well all else equal, a lighter vehicle will have better performance. But even when all else isn't equal, vehicle weight can drastically affect driving enjoyment. I have a 4,048lb Model 3 Performance and a 2,182lb Mazda Miata. In terms of specs, the Model 3 is better in every way. It can accelerate, brake, and turn better than the Miata. It even has more range than the Miata. But the Model 3 feels like it's using brute force to beat inertia into submission. (Don't get me wrong, that can be fun.) The Miata is the opposite. Its light weight means that there's very little inertia to overcome, and something about that is extremely satisfying. It's almost like having a street legal go-kart. Until battery technology improves, an electric version just won't have the same appeal.
discreteevent|1 year ago
lostlogin|1 year ago
I’m not sure I want to drive around with a capacitor in the boot, but a huge battery isn’t ideal either.
user_7832|1 year ago
eggsboenk|1 year ago
narag|1 year ago
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-mazda-mx-5-miata-electr...
porphyra|1 year ago
kjkjadksj|1 year ago
Prcmaker|1 year ago
ksec|1 year ago
Not entirely sure that would be the case even with a Red Sun label on it.
busterarm|1 year ago
HPsquared|1 year ago
mikestew|1 year ago
That's not what the TV commercials from the 70s told me:
"Piston engine goes 'boing, boing, boing, boing'"
"But the Mazda goes 'hmmmmmmm'"
(Oh, of course there's a YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHzeGEHWMjo)