Meet the Mazda sports car of the future… hopefully.

    There have been plenty of concepts and false dawns, but we’re holding out hope the Iconic SP actually sees the light of day because, well, just look at it.

    At 4180mm long, 1850mm wide, and 1150mm tall it’s a similar size to the legendary FD RX-7 – and is around 200mm longer and 115mm wider than the current MX-5.

    The smooth, flowing lines and two-door coupe body are also more in keeping with the RX-7 than the MX-5.

    The Iconic SP is powered by what Mazda is calling a “two-rotor EV system”, but we’ll call a rotary range extender.

    Mazda says the twin-rotor engine is “highly scalable”, and can be powered by “various fuels such as hydrogen” to feed the battery pack when it goes flat.

    The MX-30 R-EV currently on sale features a rotary engine in concert with a battery pack and electric motor, although it’s not hydrogen-powered.

    Peak power is around 285kW, and Mazda says the Iconic SP has a weight distribution of 50:50. With a claimed weight of 1450kg, the concept is a lightweight in the context of electrified sports cars.

    “Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives,” said Masahiro Moro, Mazda president and CEO.

    Based on previous Mazda sports car concepts, we’re not holding out hope for this one to become a reality.

    A version of this concept was teased as part of a brand announcement about electric car investment, and before that we were tantalised by a rotary-powered racer that remains the preserve of gamers.

    Scott Collie

    Scott Collie is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Scott studied journalism at RMIT University and, after a lifelong obsession with everything automotive, started covering the car industry shortly afterwards. He has a passion for travel, and is an avid Melbourne Demons supporter.

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