Even in a world increasingly obsessed with electric SUVs and software subscriptions, some carmakers still care about how a vehicle feels to drive. Mazda has confirmed that the next-generation MX-5 roadster will stick with the lightweight philosophy that made the current car so iconic, and it will be powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder. But a recent patent filing suggests the company is already thinking ahead to an electric future, possibly one that still wears the MX-5 badge.

Read: Mazda’s Next Miata Hides A Big Surprise Under The Hood

This patent was filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office in October of last year and surfaced publicly in April. It includes diagrams of a compact, two-door sports car that looks very similar to today’s MX-5, but with an electric powertrain designed specifically to preserve the car’s famously nimble handling.

A New Approach to EV Packaging

Most electric vehicles rely on a skateboard-style platform, placing a large battery pack flat under the floor. That’s perfectly fine for a sedan or SUV, but it’s less ideal for a sports car, especially one where you want to sit low and feel connected to the road. Mazda’s proposed workaround is to stack the battery cells vertically in a column running through what would traditionally be the transmission tunnel, according to Motor1.

In the patent, Mazda explains that this layout places the center of gravity closer to the vehicle’s midpoint, helping to reduce yaw moment of inertia. This translates to better agility and more balanced handling. The design could also include additional battery modules behind the seats, along with a smaller pack positioned in front of the passenger. Rimac’s Nevera uses a similar configuration, placing cells both in the tunnel and behind the seats, though with more extreme performance goals in mind.

Centering the Mass, Preserving the Feel

Just as interesting as the position of the batteries in this potential new electric sports car from Mazda is the motor. Rather than the rear motor being mounted between the rear wheels, it would also be positioned in the center tunnel, transmitting power through a differential to the rear. This would also help to concentrate most weight in the center of the car.

As always, the fact that Mazda has applied to patent this system doesn’t mean it will reach production, let alone in the near future. However, if the MX-5 does eventually morph into an EV, it’s good to know it will continue to prioritize sports handling and fun-to-drive dynamics.