This sporty concept from Mazda will become a production car

Last year many fell in love with the Mazda Iconic SPa sports coupé presented at the Japan Mobility Show 2023. Concept with multiple tasks: to show what the style of the next MX-5 could be, to give an idea of ​​the general style of the future sports cars from Hiroshima and – surprise surprise – to anticipate a series car.

In a recent article published by Mazda, the designer Masashi Nakayamarevealed that the company has every intention of making the concept a production car. “This concept isn’t just one of those show cars,” he said. “It was designed with the intention of turning it into a production model in the not too distant future.”

The new RX-8?

In an interview last year, Nakayama stated that the Iconic SP it was intentionally larger than the current MX-5 and that the name was chosen so as not to suggest a specific sports model. Then adding that, in a possible future, it could become a series as big as an MX-5. However, without becoming a new variant of the Miata. Also because it is a coupé and will remain so.

Now, looking at the new Mazda MX-5, we know that it will be electrified, probably with a 48 Volt mild-hybrid systemso as not to compromise its lightness. On the contrary, the Mazda Iconic SP uses a range extender system similar to that of the MX-30: a Wankel engine used as a generator to charge a lithium ion battery, which in turn is called upon to move the wheels, with a power of 365 HP .

“Standing in front of the car, you should be able to imagine what kind of engine is housed under the hood,” said Mazda R&D center head Naohito Saga. “That’s how hard we worked to create this concept car. The more time you spend looking at it, the more the car reveals itself. In the development process, everything from the position of the doors to the tires, through to the dimensions, the position of the seats, visibility, was meticulously studied before arriving at the final specifications. This shows how much we wanted it to be a car that demonstrates Mazda’s commitment to the future, especially in terms of sustainability and the future role of our rotary engine technology.” .

This is a strong allusion to the fact that on the Iconic SP there will be a front-mounted Wankel engine – capable of digesting even synthetic fuels – while the electric unit that will move the wheels will be coupled to the rear axle. We just have to wait.

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