Mazda Is Preparing a New Roadster: Target Weight of Up to 2,646 Pounds and a Possible 220-HP Hybrid

Mazda has no intention of abandoning the core principle of its roadster even as electrification reshapes the industry. The next model, known by the NE code name, is expected to retain a lightweight construction, with a target curb weight of 2,205 to 2,646 pounds. Potential powertrains include a new Skyactiv-Z gasoline engine and a hybrid system that could eventually produce around 220 horsepower. The new roadster is not expected to arrive before 2028.

The Mazda Roadster, known outside Japan as the MX-5, is one of the brand’s key sports cars. The current ND generation has been in production since 2015 and continues the concept of a compact, lightweight roadster, with low weight remaining one of the main requirements for delivering driving enjoyment.

The future Mazda Roadster NE is being developed with a situation in mind where internal-combustion engines could face tighter restrictions in different countries. At the same time, Mazda does not want to address environmental requirements simply by adding weight to the vehicle.

The company’s leadership is considering a different approach: reducing the weight of the basic structure without relying on expensive materials such as carbon fiber. The goal is to keep the roadster lightweight while also allowing it to be adapted to different powertrains in the future.

The next generation is expected to weigh between 2,205 and 2,646 pounds. Mazda representatives consider achieving that figure realistic. For comparison, current ND versions weigh between 2,227 and 2,381 pounds, while the lightest European version of the 2026 model weighs about 2,211 pounds.

One potential component of the future Roadster could be the new Skyactiv-Z engine. At the same time, a hybrid powertrain cannot be ruled out entirely. If Mazda can maintain the car’s lightweight construction while adding hybrid components, such a system could potentially produce around 220 horsepower.

The current Roadster RF with a 2.0-liter engine is rated at 182 horsepower, while the high-performance 12R version for the Japanese market produces 200 horsepower. As a result, a possible 220-hp output for the next generation would represent a noticeable step forward if such a powertrain is ultimately developed.

The design of the future model could also incorporate elements from the Iconic SP concept, shown above. That vehicle is considered one of the references for the continued development of Mazda’s sports-car lineup.

The new Roadster is expected to debut in 2028 or later. Until then, the current ND model, which has been produced since 2015, could continue serving as the foundation of Mazda’s roadster lineup.

At the same time, the company is considering the development of another sports car that would serve as the brand’s flagship. The vehicle is intended to embody Mazda’s values as fully as possible, with its development potentially involving a significant amount of hand-built work rather than focusing on high-volume production.

The name of the future flagship has not yet been revealed. However, its concept is connected to the direction Mazda has also demonstrated with the Iconic SP.