At the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show that opened today, Mazda launched a concept car called Iconic SP, which uses a rotary engine and motor-driven range-extending technology.
It is noted that the Iconic SP’s power system is based on the recently launched MX-30 R-EV crossover. The new car uses extended-range technology and uses a dual-rotor engine as a generator to charge a 17.8kWh battery. Mazda didn’t release the concept’s full specs, but said it has 370 horsepower, roughly double the power of the most powerful version of the MX-5 currently available. However, it is unclear whether this figure refers to the output of the electric part or includes the total output of the rotary engine.
Mazda says the rotary engine has its advantages as a range extender for an electric sports car because it can be configured in a variety of layouts for optimal weight distribution and space utilization. In this concept car, the rotary engine is placed in the middle of the body, which helps lower the center of gravity and also extends the front hood longer, forming a rear cockpit layout.
The concept car is 4180mm long, 1850mm wide, 1150mm high, has a wheelbase of 2590mm and weighs 1,450kg, placing its dimensions between the MX-5 and RX-7. It’s unknown whether the car will be able to seat more than two passengers, and Mazda will likely place the battery vertically behind the driver to lower the ride height and center of gravity to maintain the agile driving characteristics of the MX-5.
As you can see from the pictures of the cabin interior, this electric version of the MX-5 pays great attention to handling performance. The digital instrument panel displays g-values and a map of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, hinting that the Vision SP is designed with the main goals of track racing and driving pleasure. There are also “shift paddles” behind the steering wheel for adjusting kinetic energy recovery. Features such as active aerodynamics kit, suspension settings and launch launch appear to be controlled on the touchscreen, with other visible features including a 360-degree camera and ultrasonic sensors within the front grille, possibly for adaptive cruise control.
The cabin is upholstered in microsuede and Mazda’s plant-based biofabric materials, reflecting the company’s ambitious commitment to become completely carbon neutral by 2050. As part of this sustainability vision, Mazda has been emphasizing that there is room for engines to survive in the future, as long as they run on carbon-neutral energy sources such as synthetic fuels or hydrogen, rather than gasoline or diesel.
Masahiro Mori, Mazda’s new CEO who just took office in March this year, said when unveiling the concept car in Tokyo: “We love MX-5, and the world also loves MX-5. We are determined to maintain the driving pleasure that MX-5 represents in the era of electrification. , and the Mazda Iconic SP, with its twin-rotor engine generator-EV powertrain, is our dream solution – a dream we will work hard to realize. Mazda will always provide people with the feeling that cars are pure joy and indispensable in life. A vehicle with a missing part.”
However, Masahiro Mori did not reveal whether a production version of this concept car will be launched. When he took over in March this year, Mazda announced a huge electrification plan that will introduce new hybrid and pure electric models by 2027, and then electrify all models from 2028. The company hasn’t said when it will launch an electrified version of the MX-5, but it has upgraded the current MX-5 to comply with upcoming safety regulations and expects it to remain on sale until at least 2026.
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