The Mazda RX-7 remains an icon in the JDM world, and for years, the automaker has been searching for the right successor. Now, it seems the Mazda Iconic SP concept, unveiled in 2023, might be the one worthy of inheriting the legendary nameplate.
While speaking to Motor Trend, Mazda’s Chief Technical Officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, said that the production version of the Iconic SP could debut early next year. While he didn’t explicitly confirm its finalised model name, Umeshita did refer the upcoming to be a “good successor for the RX-7” – strongly hinting at a potential revival.
Looking back, the Iconic SP featured a sleek, low-slung profile with sculpted curves, slim LED headlights, and an illuminated Mazda emblem. At the rear, it has a wide sculpted stance with sleek circular taillights and a full glass hatch.
Under the hood, the production car is expected to run a new hybrid rotary powertrain. The setup includes a dual-rotor rotary engine acting as a range extender, paired with an electric motor and battery, producing a combined 365 horsepower. That said, Mazda might also offer a variant where the rotary engine takes the lead as the main source of power—more in line with what RX-7 purists might hope for.
Still, Umeshita was clear: the production timeline depends on making a solid business case. If it gets greenlit, the Iconic SP won’t be a mass-market model. Instead, it will be a low-volume sports car, meant to complement the MX-5 – not replace it.
Speaking of the MX-5, the company is already working on the next-generation Miata. It’s still a few years out, which means the current ND-generation model (launched in 2014) will stick around for a bit longer.
Design-wise, the upcoming Miata will keep its compact, lightweight and affordable roots, but with a complete overhaul elsewhere. According to Mazda design chief Masashi Nakayama, the new model will borrow styling cues from the Iconic SP while staying true to its iconic two-seater roadster form.
As for what’s under the hood, the next-gen Miata is expected to feature a new Skyactiv-Z 2.5L four-cylinder—the same powertrain rumored for the next CX-5. Mazda promises better performance and fuel efficiency than the current 2.0L Skyactiv-G found in today’s model.
So far, this is the only information that has been provided by the automaker on both the models. However, we can expect more updates soon especially on the rotatory engine making a comeback.
(Source: Mazda Newsroom / MotorTrend / Carscoops)
