10 years ago, Mazda launched the fourth generation of the MX-5, and now the Japanese company is working on the development of the next generation, which could be a step into the future. According to Auto Express, Mazda is currently considering offering an all-electric version in addition to the version powered by the new combustion engine.

Auto Express claims that the secret patents reveal an electric-powered MX-5. They envisage a battery located in the transmission tunnel, which is the opposite of the construction of the standard architecture that electric vehicles have. This is not new, as the Lamborghini Revuelto uses the same architecture with a 3.8 kWh battery also located in the transmission tunnel. The car will also have two batteries located behind both seats, similar to the new all-electric Porsche Cayman. There is no information about the battery, but some rumors say that Mazda could opt for a 35.5 kWh battery.

What can also be learned from the aforementioned documents is that the moment of inertia of the steering can be further reduced, because the battery is installed in the tunnel, which allows the center of gravity of the vehicle to be close to the middle. This is a familiar philosophy of the company that has contributed to the MX-5 being more agile and manageable.

Also, the documents show a single electric motor located behind the seats, so it is expected that the MX-5 will retain rear-wheel drive. The new Skyactiv-Z engine is expected to power the next generation of the MX-5 after the current generation is retired, meaning we could expect two different Mazda MX-5 models by 2027.

Source: Auto Express