What Will the Next Generation MX-5 Look Like? Everything We Know About the NE

The Mazda MX-5 ND has been with us since 2015. Over a decade of production, countless awards, and an entire generation of owners who have fallen in love with the most driver-focused car at any price. But the automotive world moves on — and the question every MX-5 enthusiast is asking right now is the same: what comes next?

The fifth-generation MX-5 — widely expected to carry the internal designation NE, following the established NA, NB, NC, ND naming convention — is coming. Here is everything we currently know, what is being speculated, and what we hope Mazda gets right.

When Is the NE Coming?

The timeline has been the subject of significant speculation in the enthusiast community. Most credible sources point to a debut in late 2026 or 2027, arriving as either a 2027 or 2028 model year vehicle. This aligns with Mazda's typical product cycle and the fact that the ND has now been in production for over ten years — longer than any previous generation.

Crucially, Mazda has been clear that the ND is not going anywhere immediately. Senior Mazda officials have confirmed that the current car will continue to be developed and refined until the NE is ready. So if you are an ND owner, your car is not suddenly obsolete — far from it.

Will It Go Electric?

This is the question that divides the MX-5 community more than any other. Mazda has confirmed that some form of electrification is coming to the next MX-5 — but crucially, that does not necessarily mean a full electric vehicle.

The problem with a fully electric MX-5 is fundamental: electric vehicle batteries are heavy, and the MX-5 has always derived its character from being light. The ND weighs barely over 1,000kg. A lithium-ion battery pack capable of providing meaningful range would add hundreds of kilograms — fundamentally compromising the car's character.

Mazda engineers are acutely aware of this. Reports from Chasing Cars in Australia suggest the NE will use Mazda's new Skyactiv-Z clean-burn engine technology — a next-generation petrol engine designed to meet emissions regulations while maintaining the compact size and light weight essential to the MX-5. A mild hybrid system seems more likely than a full EV — providing efficiency gains without the weight penalty of a full battery pack.

The sub-1,000kg weight target that has been reported for the NE would suggest Mazda is committed to keeping the car as light as possible — which is good news for those worried about electrification killing the car's spirit.

What About a Toyota Collaboration?

One of the more intriguing rumours circulating in enthusiast communities is a potential partnership between Mazda and Toyota for the next generation. Toyota and Mazda already work together on certain projects, and rumours from Japanese automotive press have suggested the two companies could co-develop the NE and next-generation GR86 on a shared platform — potentially with production at Mazda's Hiroshima plant.

This would not be unprecedented. The current GR86 was co-developed with Subaru, and Mazda previously used the MX-5 platform as the basis for the Fiat 124 Spider. If the rumours are true, an on-sale target of 2028 has been mentioned.

Mazda and Toyota have not confirmed this collaboration, and it should be treated as speculation at this stage. But it is an intriguing possibility — Toyota's engineering resources combined with Mazda's commitment to driving purity could produce something special.

What Will It Look Like?

Mazda's current KODO design language — introduced with the ND — will almost certainly continue to influence the NE. Several CGI renders from digital creators and automotive publications have imagined the next generation, generally showing a sharper, more sculpted evolution of the ND's clean lines.

Mazda's Vision Study Model concept, shown at various motor shows, is widely believed to be an inspiration for the NE's design direction. If so, expect something that feels unmistakably MX-5 while looking decidedly more modern — sharper headlights, a more sculpted bonnet, and a cabin that sits even lower to the ground.

What We Hope Mazda Gets Right

The MX-5 community is passionate and opinionated — and there are certain things every ND owner hopes the NE preserves above all else.

Weight. The ND's lightness is its greatest asset. Every decision Mazda makes on the NE should be filtered through one question: does this make the car heavier? If yes, is it worth it?

The manual gearbox. The ND's six-speed manual is one of the finest gearboxes in any car at any price. It must survive into the NE generation.

Simplicity. The MX-5 works because it does not try to be everything to everyone. Two seats, rear-wheel drive, a naturally aspirated engine and a roof that folds away in seconds. The NE does not need more screens, more driver assistance systems or more complexity. It needs to be faster, lighter and better to drive than the car it replaces.

The Roadster name. In Japan, the MX-5 has always been the Roadster. We hope that continues.

What Does This Mean for ND Owners?

The imminent arrival of the NE does not diminish the ND. If anything, it marks the ND's place in history — as one of the finest expressions of the MX-5 formula, refined over a decade into something close to perfect.

The ND will become a modern classic. Values will hold. The community will remain passionate. And the accessories and upgrades being developed for the ND today — including everything we make at Roadster Concept — will remain relevant for years to come.

We are watching the NE's development with great interest. Whatever Mazda produces, we hope it carries the same spirit that has made the MX-5 the world's best-loved sports car for over 35 years.

ロードスター・コンセプト — Built for the Roadster, as Mazda intended it to be known.