As the world rushes into a silent, heavy and sterile electric future, Mazda is preparing a poison for boredom: the fifth generation New Mazda MX-5, which will weigh less than 1000 kg.
Today's car showrooms have become more like appliance stores than shrines to speed. Everywhere there are electric "refrigerators" on wheels, weighing two tons and with the soul of a microwave oven. And just when I was starting to lose all respect for humanity, Mazda appears - the new Mazda MX-5 NE 2027.
In the year 2026, when everyone is preaching to us about kilowatts and charging cycles, the Japanese from Hiroshima have raised the middle prince to the entire industry and said: “We will make a car for people who actually like to drive.” Ladies and gentlemen, here it comes. Mazda MX-5 generation NO. And if the predictions of their directors, who shook them in March 2026, are true, this will be the best driver's car of this decade for people with normal bank accounts.
Gram diet: Because obesity in the automotive industry has become the norm
Mazda is not just a company; it's a cult that celebrates lightness. Their legendary "gram strategy" is taken to the extreme with the new MX-5. CEO Manabu Osuga was clear: The goal is to weigh under 1000 kg (2205 lbs). To put that in perspective, that's less than the average American beverage cooler weighs.
Why is this important? Because weight kills the fun. Light weight means you don't need 500 horsepower to make your mouth crack open. It means the car brakes like it's stuck in glue and dances through corners with the kind of elegance that today's SUVs only know from commercials.
“If we were to use current battery technology on the Mazda MX-5, we wouldn’t satisfy our fans. Internal combustion is the only way right now,” says Osuga. And I want to build a monument to him.
A heart that beats on gasoline: The new Skyactiv-Z
Forget turbo holes and artificial sounds from the speakers. Under the hood of the new NE generation will hum a completely newly developed 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder Skyactiv-Z engine. Mazda knows that the 2.0-liter engine would lose too much character due to the strict Euro 7 and LEV IV norms, so they increased the displacement.
- Engine: 2.5-liter Skyactiv-Z (naturally charged)
- Power: Approximately 135 kW (181 hp / 184 PS)
- Torque: More than the current 205 Nm (151 lb-ft)
- Gearbox: Six-speed manual (because your feet matter!)
- Drive: Last (as befits a decent car)
We expect acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) to be around 5.5 to 6 seconds, with a top speed of around 225 km/h (140 mph). But the numbers don't tell the whole story here. It's that linear power delivery when the engine revs high and begs you not to shift yet.
Design and Romance: The Evolution of Perfection
Chief designer Masashi Nakayama, the man who gave us the beautiful current ND generation, remains at the helm. Don't expect a spaceship. The new Mazda MX-5 will NOT remain compact, under 4000 mm (157 in) long. The distinctive lines remain, not aggressive for the sake of being, but elegant as a well-tailored suit.
This will be the car you park in front of your house and turn around three times as you walk towards the door. It will again be available with a classic canvas roof for those who like to hear the raindrops, and in an RF version for those who want a little more security and quiet.
The new Mazda MX-5 FR model – with the FR designation.
Price for the masses
The best part about this story? The MX-5 won't be just a toy for millionaires. Mazda intends to keep the price in an affordable range, probably between €30,000 and €40,000. That's the price you can get a well-equipped Volkswagen Golf with a three-cylinder engine today. The choice between a boring hatchback and a roadster that will give you back your zest for life is not even an issue.
Conclusion: Why do we need it more than ever?
A new one Mazda MX-5 NE is not just a new model in the catalog. It is a rebellion against the digital dictatorship. It is proof that analog entertainment, manual transmission and the smell of gasoline are not relics of the past, but a necessity for the mental health of every real driver.
With this car, Mazda is telling us that it understands us. That it understands those Sunday mornings when you take the local winding road just because you can. When it hits the market (expected to be late 2027 or as a 2028 model year), it will likely be the last car of its kind in the world. No thousands of pounds of batteries, no unnecessary screens measuring your pulse, and no artificial intelligence telling you where to brake.
If you've ever thought about buying a roadster, this is your cue. Start saving, sell a kidney, or cancel your Netflix subscription. Because when this "toy" hits the roads, the world will be colorful again for a moment. Mazda, thank you for still believing in the romance between driver and machine.
The renders were prepared by the author of this post, who, in addition to articles, often prepares realistic renders that he posts on his Instagram channel - Throttly.
