Mazda is exploring methods to maintain the enjoyment of driving a easy, light-weight sports activities automotive just like the MX-5 Miata alive in a world of electrical automobiles.

One answer, which the automaker previewed on Wednesday with the reveal of the Iconic SP idea on the 2023 Tokyo auto present, is avoiding the heavy weight that plagues most EVs by choosing a smaller battery together with a spread extender, on this case a compact and light-weight rotary engine.

Nonetheless, the Iconic SP is a sports activities automotive with a hard and fast roof and a footprint considerably bigger than that of a Miata, that means it might not preview a future Miata, as beforehand thought, however probably one thing akin to a contemporary RX sports activities automotive.

The Iconic SP’s styling additionally cribs from Mazda’s RX-Imaginative and prescient idea proven on the 2015 Tokyo auto present, ensuing within the total form and proportions extra carefully resembling an RX sports activities automotive than a Miata. A glance inside reveals a spartan cabin and an automated transmission.

Mazda Iconic SP idea

The idea additionally weighs roughly 3,200 kilos, which is roughly 1,000 kilos heavier than the present Miata. To make up for the additional weight, the facility output is 370 hp, or about double the output of the present Miata.

Mazda did not present specifics on the powertrain however stated the vary extender is a compact twin-rotor rotary engine with a scalable design and the flexibleness to run on varied fuels, together with hydrogen.

Utilizing a rotary engine as a spread extender for an EV is not simply an thought at Mazda. The automaker launched simply such a setup within the MX-30 electrical compact crossover in some markets earlier this 12 months, albeit with a single-rotor rotary. The range-extended MX-30, badged an R-EV, includes a battery that is half the dimensions of the battery within the common MX-30, measuring simply 17.8 kwh. With a full tank of fuel and a totally charged battery, Mazda estimates the extended-range MX-30 will be capable to cowl greater than 300 miles.

Talking on the reveal in Tokyo, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro stated the idea represents Mazda’s “dream” answer for automobiles that may ship the enjoyment of driving within the age of electrification, and that the automaker is working laborious to launch it in the marketplace.