The sportscar could use a compact rotary engine as a generator for an EV system, similar to the concept
November 7, 2024 at 11:27
- Mazda’s design chief confirms the Iconic SP concept will enter production in the “not-so-distant future”.
- In concept form, it features a dual-rotor rotary engine and an EV drivetrain delivering a combined output of 365 hp.
- This stunning concept could evolve into a successor for the RX-7 or even shrink down to MX-5 size.
It’s been a year since Mazda first pulled the wraps off the well-received Iconic SP concept, a gorgeous retro-futuristic coupe powered by an electric motor and a rotary range extender. Now, after months of speculation and rumor-mongering, we finally have official word: this isn’t just another flashy concept destined for obscurity, as it’s actually heading for production.
Masashi Nakayama, Mazda’s design chief, confirmed the news, stating, “This concept is not just one of those empty show cars. It’s been designed with real intent to turn it into a production model in the not-so-distant future.”
More: Mazda’s Iconic SP Concept Looks Amazing Out In The Open
This is the first time we’ve heard Mazda commit to building the Iconic SP, along with a tentative timeline, though the signs were there The first hint came during the concept’s debut at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, where Mazda President and CEO Masahiro Moro described 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 love to see realized, stoking fires that had already started to smolder among Mazda enthusiasts. Now, with production confirmed, that vision is one step closer to reality.
The Iconic SP’s final form could evolve into a successor of the RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars, although Mazda has hinted that its footprint can also be shrunk down to the size of the MX-5 roadster. Ideally, the production version will hold on to the clean lines and seductive curves of the concept, along with those distinctive pop-up headlights. In a market flooded with overwrought designs, the Iconic SP stands out like a glass of neat scotch in a sea of sugary cocktails.
Naohito Saga, the Executive Officer at Mazda’s R&D Strategy Planning Division, emphasized the painstaking attention to detail in the Iconic SP’s design: “The more time you spend looking at it, the more the car will reveal to you”. The high-ranked official went on to mention that “everything from position of the doors and tyres, to the length of the vehicle, the seating position of the occupants and visibility was meticulously researched before reaching the final specifications”.
In other words, this isn’t some cobbled-together concept for auto shows; Mazda clearly invested serious resources into making this a viable production vehicle.
Range-Extender Rotary Engine
While Mazda hasn’t shared any details about what might power the production version, at the heart of the Iconic SP concept lies a compact dual-rotor rotary engine paired with an EV drivetrain. In that car, it produces a combined output of 365 hp (272 kW / 370 PS). The company claims that the range-extender can be adapted to run on any kind of carbon-neutral fuel, potentially reducing emissions by up to 90 percent.
According to Saga, “The rotary engine can be very compact and very powerful at the same time. That’s one advantage, but also it can be powered by various types of fuels, and that could give us an edge in the race to find a feasible solution for the future of mobility”.
Furthermore, Mazda is currently experimenting with a new technology that could capture CO2 from exhaust emissions. If the proof of concept goes to plan, the technology “could play a role in the development of Mazda’s future range of vehicles”.
Earlier this year, Mazda told Carscoops that a rotary-powered project would reach the market as soon as some “technical hurdles” were overcome. Hopefully, this coincides with the launch of the production version of the Iconic SP in the next few years.
