According to a newly published patent, Mazda seems to be laying the groundwork for an electric future for its beloved MX-5 roadster. The details uncover an unconventional battery layout designed to preserve the iconic roadster’s nimble character.
The patent, filed at the US Patent and Trademark Office in late 2024, surfaced only recently under the plain title ‘Electric Automobile’.
Though the documentation doesn’t explicitly name the MX-5, the diagrams and proportions unmistakably resemble the lightweight, two-seater roadster that so many enthusiasts around the globe cherish. This signals that Mazda is taking the Iconic SP Concept, unveiled at the Tokyo Mobility Show in 2023, to the next level.
It’s not the car’s design that draws attention, but the concept of a modular battery configuration, unveiled by the patents. It intends to maintain ideal weight distribution, a critical factor for handling and responsiveness—hallmarks of the MX-5 nameplate (or Miata, as it’s called in the US) since its debut.
Flexible battery placement
In detail, the drawings outline a multi-location battery arrangement that departs from the traditional EV skateboard layout. Instead, the main battery stack runs longitudinally through what would traditionally be the transmission tunnel in an ICE vehicle, like in a Rimac Nevera.
Additional cells are located behind the seats and ahead of the passenger footwell. Mazda writes in the patent that the aim is to keep the vehicle’s center of gravity low and reduce the yaw moment of inertia, minimizing resistance to directional changes.
One battery module even acts as a counterweight to the driver when no passenger is present, further enhancing balance. The driver can manually adapt the location of the cells to keep the balance optimal.
A single electric motor is mounted within the same central tunnel area, sending power to the rear axle via a short driveshaft and differential. This approach preserves rear-wheel-drive dynamics without resorting to a dual-motor setup, keeping weight and complexity down.
Mazda notes that the layout could be adapted for other body styles and suit front-wheel drive, but the packaging and emphasis on handling point to a sports car application.
Dual-track strategy
Still, the timing of the patent has raised eyebrows. Mazda’s Chief Technical Officer Ryuichi Umeshita confirmed just weeks ago that the next-generation MX-5, due before the end of the decade, will stick with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine and manual transmission.
He said Mazda’s immediate plan is to deliver a more powerful and emissions-compliant gasoline engine under its Skyactiv-Z umbrella. This engine must represent the ultimate accomplishment in combustion technology, alias the cleanest and most economical.
The dual-track strategy—officially doubling down on combustion while filing EV patents in the background—reflects the uncertain regulatory and market landscape automakers have to navigate. Mazda appears to be preparing for a future where electrification is not optional, even for niche enthusiast models.
Though some enthusiasts may see the patent as a grim signal, it more likely represents Mazda’s attempt to ensure the MX-5 has a viable path forward in an electric-only era.
The company has consistently said it would not electrify the roadster until the technology could match its dynamic benchmarks. This patent suggests engineers are actively working on that challenge.
