Mazda Iconic SP rotary-electric concept previews future MX-5 or RX-7

Mazda has revealed its electrified sports car vision.

The Mazda Iconic SP concept, unveiled at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, has a hybrid rotary range-extender powertrain and previews a future MX-5.

First unveiled virtually in November 2022 as the white-painted Vision Study hardtop, the voila red Iconic SP dwarfs the MX-5 in both size and weight.

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Measuring 4180mm long, 1850mm wide and 1150mm tall, with a 2590mm wheelbase, the Iconic SP concept is 265mm longer, 115mm wider and 85mm lower with a 280mm longer wheelbase.

It weighs in at 1450kg – impressive for a hybrid with batteries, but 395kg more than the lightweight one-tonne manual MX-5.

The twin-rotor rotary engine – akin to that seen in the recent MX-30 R-EV production car – acts as a power generator to charge the battery as needed.

And, with a compact design, it allows for a lower centre of gravity and a 50:50 weight distribution.

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It runs on carbon-neutral fuel and Mazda claims it can “burn various fuels such as hydrogen".

An evolution of Mazda’s Kodo-style grille with a body-coloured inner element is joined by pop-up headlights with sleek LED units, harking back to MX-5 and RX-7 models from the '80s and '90s for a nostalgic touch.

According to the brand, the vibrant voila red paint finish symbolises Mazda’s commitment to "enriching life-in-motion for those we serve” – and it could replace or supplement the brand’s signature soul red crystal finish in future production models.

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Inside, the minimalist cabin offers a central screen, few physical controls, and a curved instrument cluster.

While it is unclear if the Iconic SP concept directly previews the next-generation MX-5, Mazda’s head of design Akira Tamatani last year said it’ll provide some inspiration for the new model, due around 2026.

“Please take it as an image, just an image,” he said. “It’s a message. We have this passion to create that type of vehicle, that’s the message we want to say. But will we make production vehicles made from that? We still haven’t really decided.”

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The new MX-5, potentially codenamed ‘NE’, is likely to be electrified in some form to meet stringent emissions regulations, including the now-delayed Euro 7 standards.

“The next-generation MX-5 we may have to think about electrification as well there and if that’s the case the car has to be lightweight, of course, and it still has to have an MX-5-ness,” added Tamatani.

“So how can we satisfy both of those things we need to really run a good study on that so we don’t have a clear answer to that yet.”