1 month ago
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A British company has launched a new kit for the original Mazda MX-5 sports car – and it’s available in Australia.
An electric conversion for the original Mazda MX-5 has gone on sale in Australia, offering faster acceleration and superior braking claims while adding only around 100kg to the sports car’s weight.
Offered through Finch Restorations, based in Mount Barker, the package is designed by British powertrain developer Electrogenic, which produces conversions for classics including Porsche 911s, Minis and Jaguar E-Types.
The ‘drop-in’ kit replaces the MX-5’s standard free-revving four-cylinder petrol engine and transmission for a 120kW/310Nm single electric motor and 42kWh battery for a 241km quoted driving range.
The battery – which sits at the rear of the car in place of the factory fuel tank – can be recharged in a claimed 60 minutes using the supplied CCS DC fast charging socket.
Despite adding 100kg to the weight – about 10 per cent more than the original 940kg – Electrogenic said the kit maintains the car’s balanced 50:50 weight distribution.
The power-to-weight ratio increases from 90kW/tonne to 114kW/tonne, reducing the 0-100km/h time from the standard car’s circa 8.5 seconds to around six seconds.
While pricing is yet to be confirmed, the conversion takes around a week and is designed to be completely reversible, without cutting the vehicle's bodywork or modifying other components, so owners can return their MX-5 back to its original factory specification if desired.
The first-generation MX-5 was launched in 1989 as a two-seat soft-top convertible and quickly became renowned as a driver’s car with great handling enabled by low weight and a rear-wheel drive layout
Its modest on-paper specs – launching with an 85kW/130Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and five-speed manual gearbox – also meant it was relatively affordable to buy and maintain, with an engaging drive comparable to cars costing many times the price.
The philosophy is carried over to the current MX-5, now in its fourth generation on sale since 2016 – and given its latest technical update in 2023 – with its replacement expected in the coming years.
Finch Motor Company is the sole Australian distributor of Electrogenic kits, and – in addition to Porsche, Jaguar and Mini – has also electrified Land Rovers and Triumph Stags as well as carrying out custom conversions.
