Wednesday 25th October 2023

Is this the future of the Mazda MX-5?

New 370hp rotary EV Iconic SP concept 'designed to adapt to the new era'

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Given Mazda is by far most famous for the rotary engine and the MX-5 roadster, it’s a surprise they haven’t been seen together more often. Perhaps that’s now about to change. The manufacturer has unveiled the Iconic SP concept at the Tokyo show, a uniquely Mazda take on how to combine the joy of a sports car with the pressures looming for car manufacturers. 

Power - all 370hp of it - comes from a two-rotor rotary EV system, whereby the rotary serves as a generator for the electric motor. However, there is also a battery onboard (but an overall kerbweight of just 1,450kg), meaning the SP should theoretically offer a lot of answers to questions regarding the future of fast cars. The range extender rotary unit should provide some mechanical intrigue (and can be powered by hydrogen, or synthetic fuel) without adding all the weight associated with plug-in hybrids. Indeed, a compact rotary low in the body aims to ‘enhance driving performance’. 

The battery can be charged conventionally, ideally with renewable energy. The aspiration is for an owner to be able to get about in a car that looks this good ‘in a virtually carbon-neutral state’. The Iconic SP can also be used as a sports car power bank, either supplying other battery-powered devices or feeding it back into the grid.  None of this is as far-fetched as it might seem, either. Vehicle-to-load charging is already pretty widespread, and Mazda already sells a range extender rotary in the shape of the MX-30 R-EV.

There’s plenty more to be encouraged by too, primarily because the concept features many of the MX-5’s best bits. Weight distribution is said to remain at 50:50, the dimensions are compact (less than 4.2m long and only 1.15m tall) and it’s even painted red. This new Viola Red hue is described by Mazda as a ‘vivid’ colour, ‘creating a sense of shade that accentuates the shape of the car.’ Won’t find us disagreeing. As with previous MX-5 coupe concepts (though this isn’t an MX-5, of course), adding a curvaceous roof to a small sports car makes it look almost glamorous in a way the roadsters don’t so much. 

Significantly then, the Iconic SP is a great-looking sports car, courageous enough to represent something different from Mazda without being so crazy so as to seem unachievable. The same goes for the interior, complete with body-coloured insert for the door like a current MX-5, driver-centric displays and - heavens above - a round, three-spoke steering wheel. This isn’t just concept car nonsense for the sake of it; the Iconic SP shows some real intent from Mazda.

Masahiro Moro, Mazda’s Representative Director, President and CEO said: “Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives. As a car-loving company that mass-produces the inspiring mobility experience, we are committed to shaping the future with our partners sharing the same goal, as well as our fans, where everyone can proudly say, ‘we love cars.’ With such a strong will, Mazda is committed to enrich life-in-motion for those we serve.” Well said, Moro-san. An MX-5 is the answer to everything, after all. The Iconic SP would suggest that could remain true for a long while yet. 

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[MrGeoff]

I know it's a concept but there are some really nice details in this. I applaud Mazda for not giving up on the MX5 when other mainstream manufacturers seem to be ditching cars like this.

[TikTak]

Agreed.

I like that a lot, although it looks almost too pitched at the front from some angles, a bit hotrod like.

[Mannginger]

Mazda already have one of the best "reds" on the road, be interesting to see this one in the flesh.



I really like the concept of this powertrain, be great to see where they take it in production vehicles. I'd prefer more of an RX7/8 coupe for it than the MX5 but in any event it's going to be interesting.

Bravo Mazda

[LotusOmega375D]

Looks really nice. But is a hybrid range extender ICE really the future, no matter how the engine spins?

[5lab]

I hope its not the future of the MX5 - which has been successful over the years at not growing, putting on (significant) weight or adding significant performance. Sure, the next gen might have to weigh a bit more, but 400kg more and a chunk more speed isn't the mx5 any more.

I hope its built, maybe it's the RX9? But I don't think it should be the mx5

[TameRacingDriver]

It's an mx5 but not as we know it.

That said it does look very nice.

It also looks like it will be way more expensive.

[Silvanus]

That looks like a concept from 20 years ago, not necessarily a bad thing. Glad they are sticking with the MX-5 though

[TheJimi]

It has a...roof.

Bin the roof and we'll talk


Seriously though, I do like that. Lots of details to appreciate.

[Rumblestripe]

Nicely curvy.

Not convinced by the concept of the power train. Rotary ICEs are not exactly legendary for their frugality so to use one as a "range extender" seems more to be a marketing exercise based on the unique history of Mazda and rotaries than any engineering rationale.

[thelostboy]

Yeah, clearly no MX5 but nevertheless looks gorgeous!

[mikey P 500]

Looks great. But with a roof and rotary engine should be called an RX5 or similar, guess the mx5 is more popular to keep going. Suprised there are not more EV vehicles like this, as after the BMW I8 most EV hybrids have focused on functional cars rather than sports cars.

[CABC]

clever weight distribution might help mitigate 400kgs, but it's still a good reason to keep the ICE 5 for fun.
1400kgs is not a sports car in my book.
to Mazda for innovating and trying though.

[brillomaster]

a rotary and a bit more power and weight sounds like an RX platform to me... this should be the Mazda RX9.

still, looks great just as it is, 90% ready for production.

[CG2020UK]

I appreciate the MX5 but it's just not for me unfortunately.

This new one I really like and I'd be very interested if it ever became a reality.

[HardtopManual]

Rumblestripe said:

Rotary ICEs are not exactly legendary for their frugality so to use one as a "range extender" seems more to be a marketing exercise based

They also burn oil by design, with associated increase in nasty stuff coming out of the exhaust, so it's a bit odd to pair one with a battery charged "ideally with renewable energy".

[WCZ]

beautiful, bet it would cost a crap load though

[Kipsrs]

Praise be. . . This proves that there are still a few talented designers left.
I like that a lot.

[JJJ.]

Looks brilliant. Even at 1450 kg, sub 300bhp would do nicely.

[Mr-B]

That is very nice, don't care what they badge it as if it has the right driving dynamics and the price is right I would be tempted to swap my GR86 for it.

The car designs coming out of the far east at the moment are running rings round anything European (looking at you BMW/Merc/Audi).

[samoht]

A coupe with a rotary engine and significant performance is more of an RX-7 than an MX-5 - and it doesn't seem to be Mazda calling it the new MX-5, that's just PH framing.

At the same time the dimensions seem closer to MX-5. It's worth remembering that the NC MX-5 and the RX-8 shared a platform, and in these straightened times for sports cars it would make sense for Mazda to condense both lineages onto a common platform.

The MX-5 can be a simpler roadster available with just an engine or just a battery, and the RX-7 can be the faster but more complex hybrid of the two, the compact rotary making space to fit it all into the small package.


I have to say although I quite like Nissan's e-Power system, I'm not convinced that the disconnection of engine revs from vehicle speed is well suited for a sports car. Maybe Mazda will come up with something to fix this.