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Mazda is delaying the launch of the next-generation Miata, the NE, which is expected to take several more years to arrive. The company is uncertain about the powertrain, considering options that include electric components and synthetic fuel to meet emissions standards.

The European R&D lead mentioned that synthetic fuel could allow the use of existing combustion engines without significant redesign, although infrastructure for such fuel is lacking. Currently, only a 1.5-liter engine is available in Europe due to previous regulatory issues. Engineers are revising the current engines to enhance compliance, while Mazda remains focused on maintaining the Miata's lightweight character and manual transmission in future models.