Whatever your stance may be on electro-modding, the one thing that constantly crops up when car enthusiasts debate the merits of EVs is “where is the compact, lightweight electric sportscar?”. Electrogenic, the Oxfordshire-based EV conversion specialist, might have provided an answer with its latest offering – a reversible, ‘plug-and-play’ electrification kit for the first-generation Mazda MX-5 (aka Miata for our US cousins).

Better known for their E-Type, Land Rover Defender, and classic 911 conversions, the firm’s latest project transforms Mazda’s evergreen roadster into an EV without diluting the traits that made it an icon: lightness, rear-wheel-drive balance, and an intimate connection to the road.

While there is little doubt the conversion will ruffle a few purist feathers - the loss of one of the best gearboxes ever manufactured will graunch – it’s also not hard to see the appeal. The kit is fully reversible, and while it adds 100kg to the car’s weight, the new 42kWh battery pack and compact motor deliver 160bhp and 310Nm at the crank. The result is a 21% improvement in power-to-weight ratio, with acceleration times trimmed accordingly: the Electrogenic MX-5 can sprint to 60mph in just over six seconds and is geared to match the original car’s 115mph top speed. Claimed real-world range stands at 150 miles.

No fundamental changes have been made to the car’s body or chassis, with the conversion using all the original mounting points of the ICE hardware. Impressively, the car retains its full boot capacity, as two batteries slot neatly into the spaces vacated by the engine and fuel tank. Crucially, this arrangement preserves the original 50:50 weight distribution and maintains a low centre of gravity, ensuring the MX-5’s famed agility remains intact.

Electrogenic achieves this through a unique system for creating high-density battery packs and exceptionally compact in-line and transverse reduction transmission systems, all manufactured in the UK. This commitment to innovative engineering underpins the conversion’s seamless integration with the car’s structure.

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The firm’s proprietary Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) plays a critical role in ensuring the conversion works harmoniously with the OEM electronics. The VCU also enables configurable driving modes, including a range-focused ‘Eco’ mode and a sharper ‘Sport’ setting with enhanced throttle response and increased regenerative braking. For a weekend toy – or even a daring commuter – the range of 150 miles should prove sufficient. For longer trips, the battery pack’s CCS rapid charging capability can deliver a full recharge in about an hour.

Electrogenic’s careful approach to the MX-5 conversion reflects both the technical challenges and the reverence the car commands among enthusiasts. As Steve Drummond, Electrogenic CEO, explains: “We’ve been careful to ensure that the kits are well judged in terms of performance, to thrill and delight without intimidating – while preserving the inherent lightweight, RWD character of the car. The MX-5, or Miata, is celebrated as a global automotive icon, with legions of fans all over the world, so we’ve taken our time developing the range of EV conversion kits for it. We wanted to get this package just right.”

Whether the conversion retains the MX-5’s famously potent heater – a winter favourite among owners – is yet to be seen, but potential customers will be hoping it does so without heavily impacting range. For those interested in the conversion, Electrogenic has not yet announced pricing, promising further details in “early 2025.” Conversions can be completed at the Oxfordshire HQ, by any authorised Electrogenic dealer, or by a trusted mechanic. The firm has also yet to release information regarding any warranty that will be offered.

With Electrogenic having already proven themselves with previous electromod conversions, the reception of this project may well hinge on the forthcoming pricing scheme.