How to Supercharge Your Mazda MX-5 Without Forced Induction

Since 1989, Mazda’s MX-5 has been the world’s most popular lightweight sports car. And now you can replace that thrashed old 1.6 IL4 with a modern motor conversion kit from UK specialist Electrogenic.

The lovely thing about the MX-5 is the lightweight drive feel. Electrogenic hopes to maintain that as the conversion adds only 100kg to the Mk1’s kerb weight, scaling up at 1100kg. 

And weight distribution remains at 50:50, so it should drive in the same ethereal manner. 

The EV conversion sees a 42kWh battery powering a rear-mounted motor that conjures 120kW and 310Nm. A 0-100 time in the sixes is almost three seconds better than the original. The top speed remains the same at 185km/h. 

Electrogenic says “Thanks to the immediate torque, it is also easier than ever before to enjoy the convertible’s famed RWD handling balance.”

The battery packs slot in where the fuel tank and engine once were. That means the minuscule boot space is no less tiny. You can convert both automatic and manual versions but why waste all that money (however much that might be) on the former. The new MX-5 has driving modes that include ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’, along with brake regeneration. 

Electrogenic reckons on range of 240km, about as tiny as the car then. It will take about one hour to recharge the battery pack using a fast charger. Electrogenic’s MX-5 looks almost the same as the original, apart from a hole in the rear bumper where the exhaust no longer resides.

Steve Drummond of Electrogenic CEO, said “It’s exciting to finally reveal our creation to the world and give MX-5 fans the chance to electrify one of the most popular sports cars in history.”

Electrogenic has yet to reveal the cost of the conversion, obliquely suggesting it is “cost-effective”. Gulp. It takes about a week to do, and can be undertaken on any NA MX-5 built between 1989 and 1997. 

The Oxfordshire-based firm has created all-electric versions of the DeLorean DMC-12, Jaguar E-type, Porsche 911, a classic Mini and the Land Rover Defender. So it is no stranger to the art of EV conversion. And if you’re unhappy with the results, it is completely reversible.