Mazda to reveal next-gen MX-5 at Japan Mobility Show

Mazda's presence at the 2023 Japan Mobility motor show opening on 28 October will be pitched at enthusiasts via its iconic MX-5 sports car.

The Japanese brand has stopped only one step short of confirming the concept on show – likely a development of November 2022's Vision Study – previews the next-gen 'NE' MX-5.

However, with the brand's stand built around the "love of cars" in the future and the new concept "designed to symbolise the exhibit theme", a new-gen MX-5 is a fair assumption.

Visually, the teaser image's rounded LED taillight signature and unique sports car rear proportions tie it to both the Vision Study car from late 2022 and the ND MX-5.

It'll be joined on the stand by a first-gen 'NA' MX-5, a two-thirds scale roadster for kids to enjoy, the recently updated 'ND' MX-5, and a hand-control version of that car.

Mazda has previously told Wheels it's looking into how to effectively electrify the next-gen MX-5.

Given Mazda's current technology, it's unlikely to be a fully electric sports car like the MG Cyberster. We also know it won't use the CX-60's 3.3-litre inline-six.

Instead, a version of an inline four-cylinder petrol engine with a hybrid boost, or perhaps a down-sized three-cylinder with the same tech, is more likely.

“It will, at the time, be some kind of electrification so we need to investigate the most appropriate strategy for the future MX-5 which will not betray our passionate fans’ expectations,” Mazda director and senior managing executive officer Yasuhiro Aoyama told Wheels in December 2022.

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“The next-generation MX-5 we may have to think about electrification as well there and if that’s the case the car has to be lightweight, of course, and it still has to have an MX-5-ness,” said Mazda design boss Akira Tamatani in December 2022.

“So how can we satisfy both of those things we need to really run a good study on that so we don’t have a clear answer to that yet.”

We assume Mazda has found some clarity on the above statement – all will be confirmed later this month.