Automotive

Mazda's gorgeous Iconic SP rotary-EV sports concept transcends time

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Mazda makes a statement at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show
Mazda
The Mazda Iconic SP's sharp eyes peek out
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The Iconic SP pops its butterfly doors open
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Mazda makes a statement at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show
Mazda
The Iconic SP concept's rear is as clean, curvy and pretty as its front
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At the wheel of Mazda's Iconic SP rotary-EV concept
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Mazda Iconic SP concept – eyes shut, arms open
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As good as it looks with the headlights open, the Mazda Iconic SP concept looks even better with them closed – like a curvaceous sculpture molded out of a single piece of red clay
Mazda
Inside the Mazda Iconic SP concept
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Mazda keeps the cockpit simple and classic to support the driving pleasure the concept is meant for
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The Mazda Iconic SP concept shows off its hourglass figure
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The Iconic SP is powered by a rotary engine-extended electric drive that puts out up to 365 hp
Mazda
The Iconic SP prepares for its grand premiere
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Mazda hosts the world debut of the Iconic SP in Tokyo
Mazda
More Mazda heritage on show at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show – this display features hundreds of model Mazda vehicles
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Close-up of the illuminated "wall of Mazda"
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View gallery - 15 images

Major Japanese automakers and brands will definitely try, but we're not sure anyone will be able to surpass the level of neck-snapping attention-grabbing sure to go on at Mazda's 2023 Japan Mobility Show booth, especially not if we're talking positive attention only. Just like past Mazda Tokyo showstoppers, such as the RX-Vision and Kai concepts, the all-new Iconic SP rolls out with voluptuous curves absolutely dripping in deep-red paint. The dramatic 365-hp two-door looks ahead to the future and also honors the past with a rotary-extended EV powertrain and hidden headlights for a new millennium.

Mazda bills the Iconic SP as a first look at a compact sports car designed for a new era of pure, passionate driving. It puts the company's "Zoom Zoom" roots front and center with a few key features that recall beloved Mazdas of the past.

The Iconic SP is powered by a rotary engine-extended electric drive that puts out up to 365 hp
Mazda

The first of those features is the two-rotor rotary engine that helps Mazda ease its sporty side into the decarbonized electric future by boosting the electric drive with range-extending battery charging. Mazda sidesteps the issue of engine emissions by saying the rotary is meant to run on carbon-neutral fuels like hydrogen.

The next-gen rotary system follows Mazda's launch of the MX-30 e-Skyactive R-EV model in the European market this past (Northern Hemisphere) summer. Mazda's first rotary-equipped mass production vehicle in over a decade, this MX-30 spec features a plug-in hybrid layout with a 17.8-kWh battery offering just over 52 miles (85 km) of pure-electric range before the rotary-engine-driven generator kicks in to keep the car motoring forward. The system can also export electrical power for the likes of outdoor camping gear or emergency backup, says Mazda.

The Mazda Iconic SP's sharp eyes peek out
Mazda

Rotary power isn't the only piece of Mazda heritage the Iconic SP looks to carry into the future – it also wears a set of hidden headlamps. If we had to quickly name off cars of the past with pop-up headlights, two Mazdas – the RX-7 and 1st-generation MX-5 Miata – would be lining up at the very tip of our tongue, beaten out only, maybe, by the C4/C5 Corvettes.

As good as it looks with the headlights open, the Mazda Iconic SP concept looks even better with them closed – like a curvaceous sculpture molded out of a single piece of red clay
Mazda

Rather than going fully old-school, Mazda modernizes the hidden headlamp concept with switchable body-color panels that cover over the slim headlamps like eyelids. This leaves the voluminous "Viola Red" fenders free to flow uninterrupted into the bumper. Unlike the old pop-up wedges, the Iconic SP headlamp design appears plenty modern enough for 2023 and well beyond, looking every bit as sleek with the lights exposed as with them covered.

Behind those concept lamps, the flowing, seamless curves continue, creating an hourglass figure carved out via concave sides between the wheel arches. Also concave, the rear fascia is styled similarly to the modern gen-4 MX-5 but pared back to a minimalist design with backlit center lettering and overlapping dual-round tail lamps.

The Mazda Iconic SP concept shows off its hourglass figure
Mazda

The Iconic SP concept measures in at 164.5 inches (4,180 mm) long, landing quite comfortably between the 154.1-in (3,914-mm) 2023 MX-5 and the 175.6-in (4,460-mm) 2012 RX-8 that last carried a Mazda rotary. Mazda says it's worked to keep the car's 3,197 lb (1,450 kg) centered low in a near-perfect 50:50 front-rear split for improved driving dynamics.

"Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives," promised Masahiro Moro, Mazda's representative director, president and CEO. "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.'"

Mazda hosts the world debut of the Iconic SP in Tokyo
Mazda

We certainly hope that means an Iconic SP-based production sports car with minimal design changes will show up in its lineup in the not-so-far future.

After hosting its press preview day on Wednesday, the inaugural Japan Mobility Show (which replaces the biennial Tokyo Motor Show) opens to the public on Thursday. We'll cover more of the show's highlights in the coming days.

Source: Mazda

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7 comments
Chase
As much as I love Mazda, they have a bad tendency to create great cars/concepts but screw up just one detail that sours the whole thing. Like, you can have an awesome MX-5 with upgraded engine, suspension, structural rigidity, and fantastic looks... but you can't have it without the full iActivsense suite. Or, you can get a fantastic Mazda3 with a lovely 6 speed manual... or you can have it with AWD, but you can't have both... and it also gets iActivsense. In this case the concept is amazing, until you read the part about it only comes with an automatic transmission. Also, throwing out the hydrogen powered ICE buzzwords is and always will be stupid.
ClauS
I don't care if the production version will be hamster powered, jut don't change the design ... except for the rear, I think that there is still some room for improvement.
KaiserPingo
Regarding design, Mazda has succeded in being more Alfa Romeo'ish, than Alfa Romeo.
Providing a much better quality and a much broader selection of vehicles (does not take much...).
Global
Missing wipers, & those tiny camera stocks, where are the screens that relay the view?
Username
When it comes to flipping headlights the 914 comes to my mind.
Sergius
Really gorgeous. I love Mazda design.
DavidB
Another gorgeous Mazda, but COME ON—hybrids are so 2010.