Mazda has chosen to give the Iconic SP an intentionally vague name, designed to avoid creating a direct association with either the MX-5 or the RX series. Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama explained that the concept’s larger size was deliberate and that it “could easily be shrunk down to Miata-like proportions.” This flexibility suggests that there wouldn’t be any packaging constraints, even with the inclusion of a two-rotor engine, an electric motor, and a battery pack.
Versatile Rotary-Electric Setup
Speaking of the engine, which primarily serves as a generator to charge the battery rather than driving the wheels, Mazda’s CEO, Masahiro Moro, revealed its adaptability. The internal combustion engine has been developed to run on various fuels, including biofuels, hydrogen, or liquified petroleum gas (LPG). In the Iconic SP concept, this intriguing rotary-electric setup delivers an impressive 365 horsepower and operates on carbon-neutral fuel.
