The Iconic SP made a splash when Mazda showed it off a year ago. It's a sleek sports coupe that turns heads with its clean lines and curves. The car even has pop-up headlights, a nod to classic designs.
Masashi Nakayama, who leads Mazda's design team, made it clear this isn't just for show. He said:
"This concept is not just one of those empty show cars. It has been designed with real intent to turn it into a production model in the not-so-distant future."
The Iconic SP got a hybrid system that pairs an electric motor with a rotary engine. Together, they pump out 370 hp. The clever part? The rotary engine acts as a range extender, keeping the car going when the battery runs low.
Mazda's also thinking ahead about fuel. The car can run on different types of carbon-neutral fuel, which could cut emissions by up to 90 percent. Likewise, Mazda is also advancing a next-gen technology to capture CO₂ from exhaust emissions. It's theorised that this remarkable project could take Mazda one step further and see it evolve into a carbon-negative manufacturer.
The Iconic SP might come in two flavors when it hits the streets. One could be a full-size sports car, following in the footsteps of Mazda's famous RX-7 and RX-8. The other might be a smaller version, closer in size to the popular MX-5 roadster.
With its unique look, the Iconic SP stands out in today's car market. It's a fresh take on sports car design that harkens back to Mazda's rich history of fun-to-drive machines.
As for when we'll see the Iconic SP on the road, Mazda's keeping that under wraps for now. But with the design chief's promise, it looks like we won't have to wait too long to see this concept turn into reality.
Source: Mazda