Mazda’s Iconic SP, the supposed successor to the legendary RX-7, is reportedly even nearer to manufacturing. The idea was first revealed on the 2023 Tokyo Motor Present, with Mazda’s design chief Masashi Nakayama clarifying that the mannequin was “crafted with actual manufacturing intent” again in November 2024. In keeping with one other, more moderen, interview with Nakayama, the Iconic SP is now even nearer to manufacturing.
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The Iconic SP’s new rotary is absolutely compliant with fashionable emissions necessities
In a Highway & Observe article revealed on April 15, 2025, Mazda’s design chief spoke rigorously however frankly: the Iconic SP is sort of prepared. “I’ve to be very cautious what I say right here, however we made certain that it is going to be possible for manufacturing. We all know that rotary is just not good at complying with emissions, which was the rationale we determined to discontinue it in 2012,” he mentioned. “That may be a very excessive hurdle they’ve to beat, however within the final 12 months, the progress has been very encouraging”.
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When the idea was first revealed, it was rumored to make use of a range-extending twin-rotor setup, making 365 hp. Since then, Mazda has been dabbling in new rotary developments with the single-rotor 830-cc range-extending motor used within the MX-30 R-EV. Whereas the automaker has but to substantiate what sort of rotary engine the Iconic SP will use, making it compliant with emissions laws like LEV IV within the U.S. and Euro 7 required reviving Mazda’s rotary improvement crew.
“I made a decision to reopen the rotary engine improvement group, and I gave a mission to them,” Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro instructed Highway & Observe, “that was to adjust to stringent emissions laws like LEV IV within the U.S., and Euro 7. We all know that rotary is just not good at complying with emissions, that was the rationale we determined to discontinue it in 2012. That may be a very excessive hurdle they’ve to beat, however within the final 12 months, the progress has been very encouraging.”
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An automated transmission and pop-up headlights?
Mazda’s chief technical officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, additionally clarified that if the Iconic SP have been to have a high-output setup, a handbook transmission would not lower it. We anticipate to see some form of fast-shifting automated with steering wheel paddles used, until the mannequin makes use of a completely electrical drivetrain.
Oh, and bear in mind these pop-up headlights? “We are able to do it by way of expertise,” design chief Nakayama mentioned. “For instance, within the present MX-5, there’s a deployable bonnet, the hood pops up [in the event of a crash]…however the query is regulation. In fact, if you happen to may help us, we’d like to do it.”
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Remaining ideas
That final half is what it in the end boils right down to. Mazda must know that folks will purchase the Iconic SP if it finally ends up hitting the market. “The subsequent problem is… now you may help us in making an excellent enterprise case. However technically, we’re nearly prepared—if we see an excellent enterprise case, we’re able to go,” Umeshita mentioned. Is the market prepared for an additional rotary Mazda with the evolution of pop-up headlights? We certain hope so.
