Mazda has once again dangled the carrot of bringing back the rotary engine it made famous with its RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars.
Bated breath is the best approach to the power source in the Mazda Iconic SP Concept, which uses a two-rotor powertrain that can run on hydrogen to generate emissions-free power. It’s certainly a novel approach to electrification, although its viability as a real-world product remains to be seen.
In the hypothetical world of concept cars, the powertrain is supposed to produce a maximum of 370 metric horsepower – about 365 hp, according to the standards we use in Canada. That’s an awful lot for a car that’s supposed to weigh 1,450 kg (3,200 lb), which is what Mazda lists as this concept’s curb weight.
Either way, the Iconic SP is a sleek and stylish coupe that’s slightly larger than the Mazda MX-5. It spans 4,180 mm (164.6 in) from bumper to bumper while the wheelbase measures 2,590 mm (102 in). By comparison, the MX-5 is 3,914 mm (154.1 in) long while it rides on a 2,309-mm (90.9-in) wheelbase.
Details were few and far between otherwise, but there’s no question the Iconic SP is a looker. Here’s to hoping a production version is in the future, rotary power and all.
