Mazda’s iconic SP moves towards mass production “step by step”

Get ready for a new chapter in the rotary-driven Mazda Zoom-Zoom, this time with an electrified twist

After years of speculation, fans of Mazda’s rotary-powered sports coupe can finally breathe a sigh of relief. If you didn’t believe Mazda’s chief designer Masashi Nakayama, the company’s CEO Masahiro Moro has stepped in to reiterate the brand’s commitment to producing a car based on the critically acclaimed Iconic SP concept.

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in an extensive interview automotive newsMoro was asked about the production version of the Iconic SP. “We are still committed to achieving this goal and we are moving towards it step by step,” he responded. While it’s not a hard release date, his words are the closest thing we have to a green light for a production version. Iconic SP. After years of speculation, Mazda fans may finally be able to buy the legitimate successor to the RX-7 we all miss.

Mazda’s vision for the future

Moreau showed enthusiasm for the concept from the beginning. During the reveal of the Iconic SP at Japan Mobility Show 2023, the CEO described it as a beacon of Mazda’s “commitment to the future”.

As mentioned, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard from top officials that the company intends to put this concept into production. Last month, design director Masashi Nakayama said: “This concept is not just one of those empty show cars. It is designed with the intention of transforming it into a production model in the near future.”

In the same interview, Mazda’s CEO revealed that the company is developing a new hybrid system with two rotors that could satisfy America’s thirst for power: “The rotors are in different chambers via a shaft. Rotate alone. We need to generate more power. Two rotors will produce more power, which is more suitable for the US market characteristics.”

The Iconic SP’s hybrid powertrain is much different than many expected. Instead of a traditional combustion (rotary) engine, Mazda chose a twin-rotor engine as the generator for the electric drivetrain. This hybrid unit produces 365 hp (272 kW / 370 hp) combined, more than what we got from the RX-7 and RX-8 models.

purposeful hybrid

The hybrid rotary engine powering the Iconic SP is more than just a clever throwback. It also solves one of the most significant challenges in today’s electric vehicle industry – weight. By using an extended-range internal combustion engine (ICE) to generate electricity, Mazda can use a smaller battery pack, reducing weight and avoiding the bulky, energy-hungry batteries found in most battery electric vehicles.

Earlier this year, Mazda said car spoon Once some “technical hurdles” are overcome, the rotary power project will enter the market.

The road ahead

We recently asked Mazda America about a production version of the concept and received the following response: “The Iconic SP is a design study for a future Mazda sports car. Whether it’s the MX-5 Miata, or any other Mazda vehicle, Mazda’s work personnel are passionate about driving and encourage others to find that passion too through the joy of driving the cars we build and continue to build.”

2023 Mazda’s iconic SP concept car