Mazda’s spectacular prototype could be a new RX-7 or an MX-5, but its main engine will be electric.
Mazda’s spectacular prototype could be a new RX-7 or an MX-5, but its main engine will be electric.
Mazda revealed the surprise at the end of 2023 at Tokyo Motor Show. It now discusses its two potential commercial aspects: the redesigned MX-5 and the revived RX.
Under its sculptural appearance, the Mazda Iconic SP, a concept automobile unveiled by the company at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show, concealed several secrets and potential advancements. A lot of ink was flowing like rivers during the days of the automotive event, The majority of them implied that, despite the numerous skepticism that remained, it would soon become a commercial vehicle.
Certain aspects of the conceptual model have been clarified by Masashi Nakayama, Mazda’s lead designer in a recent interview with Top Gear. These include information regarding its electric mechanics and its design and potential future business models it may stimulate.
The Mazda Iconic SP will be a reality
The Japanese company’s head designer has revealed several specifics about the vehicle. One of its best features is that headlights can be pulled back. They indeed feature little eyelids that open and close the front headlights, unlike the ones we all remember from the Mazda MX-5 NA or other sports vehicles of the era. Nakayama gave a straightforward answer when questioned about it: “And why not? They seem fantastic, don’t they? Later on, they discussed the prototype’s potential future in further depth.
Nakayama knows the majority of those who witnessed the Iconic SP in action declared it to be an obvious spiritual successor to the Mazda RX-7. In the end, though, that might not be the case. The people in charge desired (and made) the automobile from the beginning of the design process so that would draw greater attention during the event. Its technical and mechanical components may be easily integrated into a smaller vehicle.
A future Mazda MX-5, for example. The designer has kept both options open: either maintain the size of the hypothetical model, which may serve as a replacement for the RX-7 or RX-8, or, on the other hand, reduce its dimensions to represent the MX-5 (NE) in its new guise. Mazda is certain about one thing despite everything else: while its proportions may change, its electric mechanics won’t.
With additional power, the hybrid technology of the Mazda Iconic SP is nearly the same as that of the Mazda MX-30 R-EV. That is two gasoline-powered Wankel-style rotors act as electric range extenders for the batteries. The electrical system that drives the wheels is subsequently powered by this. The total power produced by this set was 365 HP.
That power number seems too high for a Mazda MX-5, which currently has almost half that (up to 184 HP), even though it may be modified to fit the commercial vehicle. Lastly, On the other hand, this points to a bright future for sports inside the company and the implementation of a rotating block.
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