Unveiled on the 2023 version of the biennial Tokyo Motor Present, the brand new Mazda Iconic SP idea sports activities automotive is a wedding between a 2-rotor petrol engine and an electrical motor drivetrain. It’s wild that the contentious rotary engine would’ve ever made its return in any type, but it manages to take action beneath circumstances that don’t seem like perfect on the onset. Quietly although, the Japanese automaker has been diligently at work seeing that its rebirth seems to have each emotional and sensible enchantment.

Mazda Proves That Hybrid Design Can Be Various

If something, the storied Japanese automaker is offering some clairvoyance—displaying us a future that isn’t void of any creativity, nor does there must be one with an overwhelmingly bland concoction of cookie cutter EVs and hybrid clones, differentiated solely by the uniforms they don.

The truth is, merely put, the brand new sports activities automotive is the other of what a hybrid is known to be, whereas nonetheless being a hybrid. Sure, the Mazda Iconic SP is a far cry from being a hybrid within the standard sense—it’s not the gasoline powered unit being assisted by an electrical motor(s), however the different approach round. On this automotive, the rotary engine’s sole operate is to maintain the electrical battery charged, which in flip, sends energy to the electrical motors that are 100% chargeable for placing down energy to the wheels.

No phrase but on what number of motors there shall be—or in what kind of configuration they’ll be assigned—although we’d hope {that a} rear-wheel drive model will not less than be non-obligatory, if not unique. In any case, Mazda has claimed that the powerplant used within the idea automotive produces a sufficiently savory quantity of energy, with 365 bhp presently what’s being marketed. Not an excessive amount of. Not too little. Similar to Goldilocks.

Why An RX-7 Revival Is Nonetheless On The Playing cards

The idea automotive’s styling directive is conserving in-line with one other present Mazda sports activities automotive—specifically, the Miata—and at first look seems to be to be lower from the identical material because the automaker’s quintessential and diminutive sports activities automotive. In actuality, the Iconic SP is a a lot bigger automotive throughout, and has an extended wheelbase by some margin—round 11 inches, Mazda says. Some would say that it seems to be extra just like the Miata’s new large brother.

Nonetheless, these from a extra fanatic ilk shall be fast to level out that a few of the main design cues—notably, the low-flying entrance finish which flows into a brief roofline earlier than swooping down right into a glossy fastback silhouette—harkens again to the third era FD Mazda RX-7. There’s definitely a well-known sensuality at play right here, and to me, it’s slightly apparent. On the subject of idea automotive interiors, we shouldn’t learn too deep into issues, although it must be mentioned that the beneath picture definitely pays homage to the corporate’s sports activities automotive heritage.

Together with the presence of rotary know-how, this implies that the idea and future manufacturing model, has the credentials wanted to be each a pure and religious successor to the long-lasting ’90s Japanese sports activities automotive. If that is all something to go by, hopefully it additionally possesses the driving dynamics to make it a worthy one, too.

Contemplating its mild weight by at this time’s requirements—simply 3,197 lbs, regardless of its bigger footprint and heftier drivetrain—the SP is already off to a superb begin in that division. Add to that, Mazda’s declare that they’ve managed to attain a 50:50 weight distribution, plus a thoughtfully engineered power-to-weight steadiness, and also you’ve acquired all of the substances required to make what the corporate claims it to be: a automotive that embodies “the enjoyment of driving”.

Keep Tuned: There’s A Lot Extra To Come

Throughout the unveiling, Mazda’s European Design Director, Jo Stenuit, additionally defined that the automotive’s low heart of gravity will ship “wonderful driving efficiency” whereas CEO Masahiro Moro reiterated that “Mazda will at all times ship automobiles that remind folks that vehicles are pure pleasure and an indispensable a part of their lives.”

Curiously, this isn’t even the primary time Mazda has revealed a rotary/electrical drivetrain, because the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV had already laid declare to that territory earlier this 12 months, albeit with one much less rotor and a extra economical philosophy. No surprise it didn’t get as a lot consideration. Nonetheless, the mere point out of a attainable RX-7 successor, has all our ears perked up.

Is the Mazda Iconic SP going to disrupt the EV and hybrid panorama with its distinctive strategy to low-emissions hooniganism (shoutout to the late Ken Block)? Arduous to say. Nevertheless it absolutely generates extra pleasure and optimism for the way forward for sports activities vehicles, and all of us (automotive lovers) can solely profit from this.

Mazda’s Official Newsroom Launch

Picture Gallery