Mazda has unveiled a futuristic vision of what the next-generation MX-5 could be at the Tokyo Motor Show. The iconic sports car is featured as the centerpiece of Mazda’s display, bearing the name Iconic SP and incorporating a sleek design and rotary-electric powertrain concept.
The Iconic SP concept is based on the recently released MX-30 R-EV crossover, leveraging a rotary petrol engine that acts as a generator to charge a 17.8kWh battery while on the move. This approach differs from using the rotary engine as a primary means of propulsion.
Although Mazda has not provided comprehensive specifications for the concept, it claims that the car boasts 370bhp, approximately double that of the most potent variant of the current Mazda MX-5. However, it remains unclear if this power output refers solely to the electric aspect of the drivetrain or includes the rotary engine.
Weighing in at a relatively lightweight 1450kg, similar to the Lotus Emira’s 360bhp four-cylinder offering, the Iconic SP concept is expected to deliver significantly higher performance than any of Mazda’s existing road cars.
Mazda selected the rotary range-extender powertrain for the electric sports car due to its versatility, enabling an optimal weight distribution and packaging layout. For example, the compacted petrol engine is positioned in the middle of the car, creating a low center of gravity and allowing for a long, sloping front bonnet and a cab-rear silhouette.
The concept measures 4180mm in length, 1850mm in width, and 1150mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2590mm. These dimensions put it closer in size to the Alpine A110 than the MX-5. It remains uncertain if the visibly larger cockpit is designed to accommodate more than two passengers. Mazda might opt to vertically position the batteries behind the driver to achieve a lower ride height and center of gravity, preserving the MX-5’s signature agile dynamics.
The cockpit images provide insights into the emphasis placed on handling in this electric reinterpretation of the MX-5. The digital driver display features a g-meter and a map of the Monaco GP circuit, suggesting that the Vision SP is engineered with the primary focus on achieving rapid lap times and driver engagement.
