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<\/p>\nThe Mazda Iconic SP concept made its debut at the Japan Mobility Show today with a novel feature that sports car fans have been clamoring for since 2012: a rotary engine. Looking very much like the company\u2019s Vision Study design piece from last year, the fixed-roof Iconic SP is a bit larger than the current MX-5 Miata, making it a tantalizing continuation of the RX-7\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n
But unlike that legendary coupe, the Iconic SP makes use of its two-rotor mill not to drive the wheels, but to charge a battery of unknown capacity, which then sends juice to an unspecified electric motor layout. While there are those burning questions about the so-called R-EV\u2019s powertrain specifics, wherever the juice comes from, there sure is a lot of it \u2013 365 horsepower to be precise. Mazda says the rotary can run on a variety of fuels, including hydrogen and renewable fuel, and the battery can also be plugged into a home outlet to recharge it.<\/p>\n
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Coming in at 164.6 inches long by 82.8 inches wide and 45.2 inches high, the Iconic SP is 10.5 inches longer than a current MX-5 Miata and 4.1 inches shorter than a 1995 RX-7. According to the company, the Iconic SP weighs in at a slightly portly 1,450 kilograms (3,197 pounds), making it about 400 pounds heavier than the RX-7 and about 800 pounds more than the Miata. Such is the price one pays for electrons, and the Iconic SP still isn\u2019t that heavy compared to the 3,342-pound Toyota Supra or 3,519-pound Nissan Z.<\/p>\n
It wears its size very well, too. Mazda says the compact powertrain allows a very low hood and ultra-compact dimensions, and the Iconic SP\u2019s Coke-bottle fenders provide a modern contrast to the RX-7-style windows and rear hatch. The automaker\u2019s modern grille shape appears on the nose, and Venn-diagram taillights recall both the NA-generation Miata and FC-generation RX-7. The doors open in a graceful, upward motion, not unlike Aston Martin’s swan wing design.\u00a0The Iconic SP is painted a beautiful shade called Viola Red, which is brighter than the company\u2019s signature Soul Red Crystal \u2013 appropriate for a sports car.<\/p>\n
Inside, the Iconic SP is a triumph of minimalism, with a typewriter-key gear selector, digital instrument cluster, and small infotainment display being the only distractions from its curvaceous, flowing design. The kakenui stitching first seen on the CX-90 SUV appears on the Iconic SP concept\u2019s dashboard and door panels, and the seats wear biofabric upholstery (a word we haven\u2019t heard Mazda use since it developed a seat material made from renewable plastic in 2009).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The combination of plug-in electric and range-extender tech isn\u2019t new, even at Mazda \u2013 the MX-30 PHEV has a 0.8-liter single-rotor powerplant under the hood to keep the battery charged. The two-rotor engine in the Iconic SP might displace 1.6 liters, given the MX-30 uses a 0.8-liter single-rotor design. What\u2019s more, the mill in the sports car can be used as a V2L generator, appropriate for everything from tailgate parties to backup power during severe weather.<\/p>\n
Mazda describes the engine architecture as scalable, so it\u2019s possible the renewable-fuel rotary technology could be used for other applications. Dedicated home generators could make use of small-displacement rotaries, while larger vehicles could potentially daisy-chain rotors together to make bigger power. That said, the Iconic SP concept is a vehicle that is intended to underscore Mazda\u2019s commitment to driving enjoyment first and foremost.<\/p>\n
\u201cMazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives,\u201d said company Representative Director, President, and CEO Masahiro Moro. \u201cAs a car-loving company that mass produces the inspiring mobility experience, we are committed to shaping the future \u2026 where everyone can proudly say, \u2018We love cars.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n