During the Japan Mobility Show 2023, Mazda unveiled what is essentially a cross between its MX-5 Miata roadster and the “Iconic” RX-7 FD. <\/p>\n
Aptly named the Iconic SP, the concept vehicle features a short wheel base, curvy coup\u00e9 lines and a compact cabin \u2013 similar design elements of the latest Mazda Miata. Likewise, exterior cues reference the FD RX-7 such as the sloping rear window, wide hips, swooping doors and \u2013 excellently \u2013 a set of slim pop-up headlights. <\/p>\n
The real RX-7 reference however is the powertrain \u2013 the Iconic SP utilizes a two-rotor rotary EV system, which combines both an electric drive with a “highly scalable rotary engine” capable of burning new-aged fuel alternatives, such as hydrogen. This then combines a carbon-neutral drive while maintaining an evocative-yet-smooth ICE characteristic found in rotary engined cars like the RX-7.\u2060<\/p>\n
The concept also had projected numbers tied to it: approx. 365 horsepower in a body that weighs just under 3,200 lbs., which packages both the Miata’s weight with RX-7 power \u2013 more in fact, since the FD’s 13B rotary Wankel engine output only 276 hp at most.\u2060 A low center of gravity and 50\/50 weight distribution evokes ‘the joy of driving’ \u2013 an ethos Mazda prides for the concept.<\/p>\n
No production details or projections have been revealed.<\/p>\n