Mazda confirms production of iconic SP sports coupe

It’s been a year since Mazda debuted the critically acclaimed Iconic SP concept, a gorgeous retro-futuristic coupe powered by an electric motor and a rotary range extender. Now, after months of speculation and rumors, we finally have official news: This isn’t just another flashy concept destined for obscurity, because it’s actually heading into production.

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Mazda design director Masashi Nakayama confirmed the news, saying: “This concept car is not just one of those empty show cars. It is designed with the intention of transforming it into a production model in the not-too-distant future.”

More: Mazda’s iconic SP concept looks stunning in public

This is the first time we’ve heard Mazda commit to building the Iconic SP, and given a tentative timetable, although signs are already there. The first hints came when the concept debuted at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, with Mazda president and CEO Masahiro Moro describing it as a beacon of the brand’s “commitment to the future.” Then, in a later interview, Nakayama hinted that the Iconic SP was a project he’d like to see come to fruition, igniting a fire that was already starting to burn brightly among Mazda enthusiasts. Now, with production confirmed, that vision is one step closer to reality.

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In its final form, the Iconic SP will likely evolve into a successor to the RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars, although Mazda hints that its footprint could also shrink to the size of an MX-5 sports car. Ideally, the production version will retain the concept’s clean lines and alluring curves, as well as its distinctive pop-up headlights. In a market saturated with over-design, Iconic SP stands out like a straight scotch in a sea of ​​sugary cocktails.

Naohito Saga, executive officer of Mazda’s R&D Strategic Planning Division, emphasized the meticulous attention to detail in the Iconic SP’s design: “The more time you spend looking at it, the more the car reveals to you”. The senior official went on to mention that “from the position of the doors and tires, to the length of the vehicle, seating position and visibility of the occupants, everything is carefully studied before reaching the final specifications”.

In other words, this isn’t some cobbled-together concept for an auto show; Mazda has clearly invested a lot of resources into making this a viable production car.

Extended range rotary engine

While Mazda has yet to reveal power details for the production version, the core of the Iconic SP concept is the pairing of a compact twin-rotor rotary engine with an electric vehicle drivetrain. The car has a combined power output of 365 hp (272 kW/370 hp). The company claims the range extender can run on any type of carbon-neutral fuel, reducing emissions by up to 90%.

“A rotary engine can be very compact and very powerful at the same time. This is an advantage, and the fact that it can be powered by a variety of fuel types could give us an edge in the race to find viable solutions for the future of mobility,” Saga said. ”

In addition, Mazda is currently testing a new technology that can capture carbon dioxide from exhaust emissions. If the proof-of-concept goes as planned, the technology “could play a role in the development of Mazda’s future range of vehicles.”

Earlier this year, Mazda said car spoon Once some “technical hurdles” are overcome, the rotary power project will enter the market. Hopefully this will coincide with the launch of the production version of the Iconic SP in the next few years.

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