TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Iconic SP previews electric Mazda MX-5
New rotary hybrid concept points to Mazda MX-5’s future as iconic sports car moves toward electrificationThe electrified future of the much-loved Mazda MX-5 sports car has been previewed today with the reveal of the Iconic SP concept at the Japan Mobility Show.
Finished in a ‘Viola Red’ body colour, the 2023 Mazda Iconic SP concept bears a strong resemblance to the current MX-5 RF but swaps out the production model’s folding metal roof for a fixed coupe arrangement while the front fascia has essentially been filled in save for the shrunken lower intake.
The design is an evolution of last year’s Mazda Vision Study Concept but, crucially, we now have more details about what’s under the skin.
Measuring 4180mm long, 1850mm wide, 1150mm tall and riding on a 2590mm wheelbase, the Iconic SP is bigger than the MX-5 in most respects save for its overall height, while its electrified drivetrain means it’s more than 300kg heavier than the MX-5 RF at 1450kg (vs 1134kg).
The powertrain is a major evolution of the range-extender hybrid system fitted to the Mazda CX-30 R-EV and centres around a new twin-rotor, flex-fuel rotary engine capable of running on carbon-neutral e-fuel as well as hydrogen.
The pint-sized internal combustion mill is there primarily as a range extender for the 272kW twin-motor electric drive system and supplements the need for a large-capacity (and heavy) battery pack, though the onboard battery can be charged from an external source as per a traditional plug-in hybrid or EV.
The similarities with established electrification hardware don’t stop there, because Mazda has confirmed the Iconic SP has vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities and can be driven with no tailpipe emissions either temporarily or permanently if drivers have access to e-fuel or liquid hydrogen.
The 272kW peak power figure is more than double what a standard MX-5 outputs from its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, and while Mazda hasn’t quoted an official torque figure, we’re willing to bet it’s at least double the familiar 205Nm.
Mazda says the Iconic SP follows the classic compact sports car recipe of a low centre of gravity and near 50:50 weight distribution, yielding what it describes as reminder “that cars are pure joy”.
“Mazda Iconic SP is a new type of compact sports car concept, designed to adapt to the new era and respond to the emotions of customers who love cars and desire a car that simply embodies the joy of driving,” the company said.
“Mazda will continue to pursue the ‘Joy of Driving’ under its core value, ‘Human Centric’, and aim to deliver ‘Joy of Living’ by creating moving experiences in customers’ daily lives.”
There’s no timeline as to when we might see a production version of the Iconic SP, but the smart money is on it being an early preview of the next-generation MX-5, which has long been rumoured to be going hybrid or possibly even full EV.
Related: TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Electrified Mazda MX-5 concept teased
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