Electric Mazda MX-5: the Japanese icon reborn with instant torque and a retro soul

The Mazda MX-5 Mk1 enters the electric era without losing its essence: more torque, stronger performance, and the same driving purity that made it a legend.

The Mazda MX-5 Electrogenic is one of those ideas that sound like heresy on paper—until you drive it. Starting with a 1989 Mazda MX-5 Mk1 (NA), the British firm Electrogenic has developed an “electromod” kit that replaces the classic naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with a 120 kW (160 hp) electric motor delivering 310 Nm of torque, powered by a 42 kWh battery pack. The result is genuinely surprising: it retains the original character, but adds a level of thrust the Miata never had.

A classic MX-5 with modern sports car performance

From a dynamic standpoint, this electric MX-5 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in around six seconds and delivers instant punch between 0 and 50 km/h—something impossible in the original model, which required revving beyond 5,500 rpm to perform at its best. Real-world range is around 260 km, rising to approximately 320 km in urban driving using Eco mode, while fast charging allows a 10–80% recharge in just 45 minutes via CCS. Crucially, weight gain is minimal: only 100 kg extra, bringing total mass to about 1,100 kg and preserving an ideal 50:50 weight distribution.

The interior is one of the project’s greatest strengths. There are no intrusive screens or forced futuristic styling; the cabin remains largely untouched. The classic instrument cluster is retained, although the former rev counter now functions as a power and reserve gauge, in a Rolls-Royce-style layout. The gear lever looks manual but hides a single-speed automatic transmission, while the handbrake remains manual, a delightful contradiction between classic feel and modern technology.

On the road, the character changes significantly. In Eco mode it feels close to a standard Mk1; Normal mode resembles a 2.0-litre MX-5 Mk3; and Sport mode delivers performance comparable to a 2.0-litre MX-5 Mk4, but with a far more aggressive edge. The 310 Nm of torque easily overwhelms the rear axle, especially with the original open differential, turning the car into a controllable drifting machine. The steering—entirely original—remains light, communicative and precise, a rarity even among modern sports cars and certainly superior to most contemporary electric vehicles.

That said, realism is essential: this is a niche product. It has no direct rivals, and its estimated starting price of around €40,000 excluding the donor car places it firmly in the realm of toys for well-heeled enthusiasts. It is a car for events, cars-and-coffee meets and emotional enjoyment, not a replacement for a daily driver. The electric Mazda MX-5 is fast, thrilling and brilliantly executed—but it also raises an unavoidable conclusion: electrification can enhance performance, yet the sound and mechanical soul of a classic engine remain irreplaceable.