Little by little, the future of the Mazda MX-5 is becoming clearer and, it seems, the fifth generation of the famous Japanese roadster (NE) will remain faithful to the combustion engine, much to the delight of many fans of the model.
For that, the MX-5 will have the advanced Skyactiv-X, a gasoline engine that works (in part) like a Diesel, and that the Hiroshima brand had already promised to bring to more models besides the Mazda3 and CX-30 . The condition for adopting Skyactiv-X? The model has to be developed with this engine “in mind”.
But as we saw in the latest iteration of Skyactiv-X, also in the future MX-5 it will be associated with a mild-hybrid system, thus marking the arrival of electrification for the Japanese roadster, but far away from the plug-in hybrid or even the 100% electric that has come to be talked about.
Goodbye incoming version?
If the adoption of Skyactiv-X is confirmed, it is more likely that it will become the only engine available, meaning the “farewell” of the Skyactiv-G with 1.5 l and 132 hp as an entry version.
And bearing in mind that, until now, the Skyactiv-X only exists with 2.0 l of capacity, it could mean a repositioning of the most affordable roadster on the market upwards.
Could Mazda develop a smaller variant of the engine? We will have to wait. The only officially known development for the Skyactiv-X follows precisely the opposite direction: six-cylinder in-line and 3.0 l of capacity.
The Skyactiv-X today produces 186 hp, in line with the 184 hp of the most powerful of the MX-5, equipped with the 2.0 l Skyactiv-G. However, it delivers 240 Nm of torque, far more than the 205 Nm of the Skyactiv-G and available in a more favorable regime.
The other big benefit of using Skyactiv-X? Consumption and emissions that are comfortably lower than those of the Skyactiv-G, as can be seen today in the Mazda3 and CX-30.
For the rest, in addition to the delicate question of the engine to cope with these changing times, the Mazda MX-5 will remain the same as itself: front engine, rear wheel drive and a manual gearbox. And, of course, the usual preoccupation with weight.