We’re a step closer to the promised land, folks. Having showcased a rotary-powered concept sports car towards the end of last year, Mazda has confirmed a new team is being assembled specifically for the development of the much-loved Wankel. Maybe, just maybe, it’s going to happen.
Shortly after speaking on the Iconic SP in a presentation during this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Katsuhiro Moro, Mazda President, and chief executive officer, said: “I am very happy and deeply moved by all the support and encouragement I have received for the compact sports car concept. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all”
He added: “With your encouragement, we are launching a rotary engine development group on 1 February to move closer to this dream”
It’s not direct confirmation a production version of the Iconic SP is happening, but it’s very close to it. At least we can tell there’s enthusiasm high up within Mazda to make it a reality.
Mazda has been producing rotaries again lately, albeit used in the slightly perplexing MX-30 SUV as a range-extender rather than directly driving the wheels.
Perhaps a sports car using a similar powertrain is most likely, rather than a true rotary-only RX-7 or RX-8 successor. The Iconic SP concept itself thought to be previewing the looks of a future MX-5, if not necessarily the powertrain, uses a two-rotor engine to provide power to a set of electric motors.
Total power from the concept’s system tallies at 370bhp of peak power, which feels about par for the course for something that would surely be set to rival the Toyota Supra and Nissan Z.
Alongside the near-enough confirmation of a new sports car, Mazda has also just launched Spirit Racing – a spiritual successor to Mazdaspeed, which will spawn more track-focused versions of its existing cars. It sounds like things are getting exciting over at Mazda.
