Mazda MX-5 could adopt hybrid tech and synthetic fuels

Japanese company Mazda says its iconic MX-5 sports car will live on in the electric era, with future generations to embrace new technologies such as synthetic fuels and hybrid power.

As the automotive industry accelerates towards the modern electric-car era, a question mark remains over sporty petrol-powered vehicles such as the Mazda MX-5.

However, Mazda says it plans to keep the MX-5 as part of its future line-up.

At the recent launch of the updated Mazda BT-50 ute range, Mazda Australia marketing boss Alastair Doak said the MX-5 will continue in the future.

“[Without speaking specifically] on MX-5 I think we’ve reached a level of comfort that, there’s work on batteries, there’s work on other things. We can improve the internal combustion engine with SkyActiv-X [petrol engine technology] and beyond, and Mazda’s working to do that,” said Mr Doak.

“If you can combine that kind of technology and that thinking with even some relatively lightweight form of electrification, then that means that car and that kind of ethos will continue for a long time to come.

“There are lots of examples of hybrids that are incredibly sporty and obviously, [even] a company like Lotus who [has] that lightweight mantra [is] going down the pure EV [electric vehicle] route.”

The company is also exploring advanced technologies such as synthetic fuels to act as the bridge between petrol-powered cars and solely-electric models.

“Mazda’s part of a consortium looking into [synthetic fuels] and trying to improve that technology down the track. So we’ll continue to do that,” said Mr Doak.

“Formula One and others are talking about bringing synthetic fuel [to their sports]. So there’s obviously a lot of work around the world to try and improve the technology and make it commercially viable. That’s all welcome, obviously.

“There’s lots of development happening. I think we can all be reasonably comfortable that fun sporty cars – like MX-5 and others – will have a clean future. I think it’s just a case of watch this space.”