Ask any Mazda fans about the “Iconic SP” and you’re sure to get a confusing response. It’s the name of an eye-popping concept vehicle that first debuted at 2023’s Japan Mobility Show, and it turned heads largely thanks to its pioneering rotary-hybrid powertrain.
However, in the months since then – the sleek, next-gen vehicle was revealed in November of 2023 – things seem to have changed at Mazda’s HQ. Is the Iconic SP on the cards at all? And, what about that powertrain – will we ever get to use it for real?
What is the Iconic SP?
Let’s quickly get you up to speed. The Iconic SP is a concept car that’s electric at its heart, but with a gasoline-based engine that’s sustainability-friendly. This is tech that’s already available in a raft of other Mazda vehicles – so, not beyond the realms of possibility.
However, what set Iconic SP aside on its reveal was its incredible sports-car sheen – and the suggestion that it would run on dual rotors, producing upwards of 350 horsepower.
The sting in the tail was that the car’s rotary engine would actually be used as a generator of sorts – it wouldn’t be powering the SP as-is.
And, bizarrely, things have only gotten more confusing from there.
Where is the SP now?
Good question – jumping ahead to August 2024, news emerged that Mazda had in fact applied for a patent covering the Iconic SP – but with a distinct difference in the powertrain included.
It’s now thought that the rotary engine will actually run the car’s rear wheels – making it more of a hybrid. It also appears that this engine will be connected via electric motor – turning it into a flywheel of sorts.
Mazda’s patent even suggests that the Iconic SP could be capable of four-wheel drive thanks to in-wheel motors – something that’s raised a few eyebrows in the motoring world already.
Ultimately, we could be looking at a visually impressive sports car that’s not only built to accept a range of sustainable fuels, but also receive hybrid backup from an electric motor. This could – all going well – change the game as far as sustainable hybrids are concerned.
When will the Iconic SP be released?
Another good question. Just because the patent’s confirmed, doesn’t mean we will see Mazda’s secret sports leviathan rolling out of showrooms any time soon. In fact, you probably won’t be able to get behind the wheel until the end of 2026, meaning you have at least two years to start saving up.
It’s estimated that the Iconic SP will probably roll out at around $50,000, top rate, in the US. An investment, then, if you’re serious about going net zero on the highways by the end of the decade.
Quite what name Mazda will bestow on the SP by the time it’s released will remain to be seen – but hopefully it’s something that will roll off the tongue! More importantly, we have our fingers crossed this will be a memorable addition to Mazda’s already spectacular showroom.