First-gen Mazda Miata NA Goes Electric with New EV Conversion Kit

Electrogenic, a UK-based company specializing in converting classic cars into EVs, just released a new kit that will convert the first-generation (1989-1997) Mazda Miata sports cars into all-electric powered machines. If you’re a Mazda Miata owner that has the desire to drive an electric car, this may be your answer.

“EV technology company Electrogenic has developed a ‘drop-in’ conversion kit to easily electrify the world’s best-selling sports car: the Mazda MX-5 (Miata),” the company announced.

Utilizing a 42-kWh battery good for a claimed 150 miles of range, the EV kit will bump the Miata MX-5 to 160 horsepower, one-upping the sports car’s original 116 horsepower from the factory-installed 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. A single, “power-dense” motor spins the rear wheels with 229 pound-feet of torque. Electrogenic explains that once the torque goes through a reduction gear the figure increases to 1,844 pound-feet of torque delivered to the rear wheels.

The battery sits under the hood, replacing the original engine, while more batteries are installed in the rear where the gas tank once was. The already limited trunk space of the Miata is spared.

Even though the finished car weighs 220 pounds more than the original gasoline-powered ICE Miata, it still manages a 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint in six seconds. The top speed is listed at 115 miles-per-hour, just a speck under the original. The curb weight rounds out to 2,420 pounds, and Electrogenic says the weight distribution remains identical while the power-to-weight ratio is improved by 21%.

According to Electrogenic, the turn-key kit includes everything necessary for the first-gen Miata to run on electricity alone and assures customers that no metal cutting is necessary. The terms “turn-key” and “play-and-play drop-in setup” could give the idea that customers of the mechanically inclined are able to install the kit themselves in their garage, but because high-voltage electricity is involved, Electrogenic requires its kit to be installed by its certified installers. The company has four installers in the United States and one in Canada, with more to be announced in the coming months. The kit is also fully reversible if you ever want to bring the NA Miata back to its ICE roots.

“With its super lightweight, and new-found reserves of instant torque, performance is always effortless, giving the MX-5 excellent flexibility whatever the speed,” Electrogenic promises. “Thanks to the immediate torque, it is also easier than ever before to enjoy the convertible’s famed RWD handling balance.

“The flexibility and control afforded by Electrogenic’s proprietary VCU software has also enabled Electrogenic’s engineers to dial a great deal of configurability into the MX-5’s driving experience.

“Each kit will be equipped with a series of selectable drive profiles to suit different scenarios, from a range-enhancing ‘Eco’ mode to sharpened ‘Sport’ setting for maximum performance and more immediate throttle response. The kit also deploys carefully calibrated braking regen to assist the standard discs, with assistance ramping up as you cycle through the drive modes to Sport.”

Pricing for Electrogenic’s new Miata EV conversion kits have not been released, but we expect the cost to be posted closer to the projected sale date sometime this spring.

Whether or not you have a desire to EV swap your Miata, there’s no time like the present to buy a first-generation Mazda Miata.

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