With Tesla’s old Roadster model costing north of 50 grand, and with no electric roadster on sight (in the automotive industry), getting your hands on such a vehicle can be troublesome. Unless you go for this Mazda Miata.
It may look like your ordinary, run-of-the-mill Japanese roadster, but open up the hood and you’ll see something completely unfamiliar. That’s because this particular car has lost its 1.6-litre (or 1.8) in favor of an electric motor and a 28.8KWh LiFePO4 battery pack. Yup, that’s one electrified NA MX-5.
Dynamically speaking, the MX-5 has always been a balanced vehicle, with just enough power, but with an electric powertrain it could (presumably) become more lively – just imagine that low end torque. It also seems well put together, especially as it features some aftermarket mods required by the conversion.
The owner, who’s selling it on Craigslist for $9,950, says the Mazda can go 120 (193 km) miles on a single charge, and achieve a 75 mph (120 km/h) top speed. Enough to keep up with highway traffic, then.