- Mazda says the Iconic SP idea was designed to be become a manufacturing automotive.
- The 2-door sports activities automotive is powered by an extended-range powertrain.
- A two-rotor Wankel fuel engine acts as a generator for the battery, however there isn’t a mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.
Keep in mind the gorgeous Mazda Iconic SP idea that debuted ultimately yr’s Japan Mobility Present? It’s a swoopy two-door sports activities automotive that was designed to showcase Mazda’s new route for sports activities automobiles, all whereas paying homage to the legendary FD RX-7. It’s additionally thought of a form of futuristic preview for the next-generation Miata, which has gone down in historical past because the world’s best-selling two-seater convertible sports activities automotive.
However the Iconic SP may change into a actuality quickly, together with its headline-making extended-range powertrain that mixes an electrical motor, lithium-ion battery and twin-rotor Wankel engine–simply don’t maintain your breath.
In keeping with Masashi Nakayama, the person who designed the swoopy idea, Mazda needs to place the sports activities automotive into manufacturing. We simply don’t know when that can occur. “This idea is not only a kind of empty present automobiles,” Nakayama mentioned in a latest Mazda-published story. “It’s been designed with actual intent to show it right into a manufacturing mannequin within the not-so-distant future,” he added.
That might imply two years or 10 years, we don’t know. The present Miata is anticipated to remain on sale till a minimum of 2026, so the manufacturing model of the idea will seemingly arrive after the current-gen MX-5 is retired. When it will definitely makes it into manufacturing, it may not seem like the present automotive. That mentioned, Naohito Saga from the automaker’s planning division, identified that the idea was designed with an eventual homologation in thoughts.
“Within the improvement course of, every part from the place of the doorways and tires to the size of the automobile, the seating place of the occupants and visibility was meticulously researched earlier than reaching the ultimate specs,” Saga mentioned. “It actually exhibits how a lot we wished to make it a automotive that manifests Mazda’s dedication for the longer term, particularly when it comes to sustainability and the longer term position of our rotary engine know-how.”
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Studying via the strains, it appears Mazda is critical about utilizing an analogous extended-range setup within the road-going model of the sports activities automobiles. The idea’s spec sheet touted a most output of 365 horsepower from an undisclosed variety of electrical motors. A battery pack is the principle supply of power, and it may be recharged both from an EV charger or by way of the built-in gas-powered rotary engine that acts as a generator.
Tipping the scales at 3,196 kilos, the Iconic SP is a slightly spectacular machine, on paper a minimum of. Placing it into manufacturing would make it one of many lightest and most nimble EVs round. Nevertheless, the truth that it nonetheless has a fuel engine may make some electrical die-hards look elsewhere for on-road thrills.
In keeping with Mazda, this setup opens up the potential for utilizing artificial fuels and even hydrogen as an answer to reducing again dangerous emissions till a full-on electrification shift occurs. Talking of electrification, Mazda will make investments over $9 billion to launch new hybrid and all-electric fashions by 2027 earlier than electrifying its whole portfolio in 2028. Earlier than you get your hopes excessive, although, it is best to know that most of them will probably be crossovers and SUVs.
