Mazda confirms Iconic SP is approaching production phase
It has been over a year since Mazda first showcased the concept model, Iconic SP, at the Japan Mobility Show 2023.
In exciting news for rotary sports car enthusiasts, Mazda has finally confirmed the company’s commitment to making the Iconic SP a reality in the future.
In an interview with Auto News, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro provided the much-anticipated update regarding the production version of the Iconic SP.
He stated, “We are working to make it a reality, and we are progressing step by step towards that goal.”
The enthusiasm for realizing the concept was evident from the beginning when the Iconic SP model created a buzz in the digital world.
During last year’s Japan Mobility Show, the CEO described the model as a commitment to Mazda’s future.
This was further reinforced by a statement from Mazda’s chief designer, Masashi Nakayama, who emphasized, “This concept is not just an empty show car. It has been designed with the genuine intention of becoming a production model in the future.”
Mazda will also develop a new hybrid powertrain unit featuring two rotors to meet the demands of users in the United States who crave power.
Unlike the conventional rotary engine operations we know, this hybrid two-rotor engine will act as a power generator for the electric motors that drive the wheels, rather than directly powering the wheels.
With a combined power output of around 365 hp, it is significantly more powerful than the rotary engines found in the RX-7 and RX-8 models.
This configuration of the hybrid rotary engine is seen as a solution to the weight issues present in today’s electric vehicles, allowing Mazda to use a smaller battery pack to keep the weight to a minimum—an essential aspect for any sports car.
For your information, Mazda established a special team to develop the rotary engine in February.
Comprising 36 engineers, the RE Development Group will be responsible for creating cars that excite Mazda customers, especially fans of rotary-powered sports cars.
