Tag Archives: Mazda

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Mazda Confirms Iconic SP Will Not Replace Miata, Hints at RX-7 Spiritual Successor

It has been nearly two years since Mazda captured global attention with the reveal of the Iconic SP concept at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. Draped in a striking Viola Red and sporting retro-futuristic curves reminiscent of the legendary RX-7, the coupe stirred up a storm of speculation: Was this the long-awaited successor to the Miata? Or perhaps something more powerful and spiritual—an RX-7 reborn?

As it turns out, Mazda has bigger plans than just redesigning its beloved MX-5. The Iconic SP is not the next Miata, but rather a rotary-powered sports car positioned above it, set to potentially revive the performance DNA of the RX-7 for a new era of enthusiasts.

Two Legends, Two Lanes

According to Mazda’s Chief Technical Officer Ryuichi Umeshita, the fifth-generation Miata is still on the way, and it will stay true to its roots: lightweight, affordable, naturally aspirated, and offered with a manual transmission. A future Skyactiv Z gas engine, compliant with stricter emissions rules, will ensure the MX-5 maintains its purity while embracing regulation-ready evolution. Even the design will subtly incorporate elements from the Iconic SP, blending heritage with the company’s future design language.

The Iconic SP, on the other hand, is shaping up to be a different beast entirely. Measuring 164.5 inches in length and riding on a 102-inch wheelbase, it’s significantly larger and wider than the Miata—hinting at grander ambitions. Mazda confirmed the Iconic SP will not wear the Cosmo badge, despite its rotary roots, but did suggest it could follow the lineage of the RX-7. A new name, possibly RX-9, is still under consideration.

The Heart of a Rotary

At the center of this revolution is Mazda’s new dual-rotor rotary engine, acting as a generator in the SP’s hybrid powertrain. Combined with an electric motor, the concept produces 365 horsepower, giving it more than enough muscle to fill the RX-7’s shoes. This rotary range-extender system is a more powerful, emissions-compliant successor to the unit originally found in the Mazda MX-30—which never made it to U.S. shores due to regulatory challenges.

Umeshita confirmed that the upcoming powertrain will meet U.S. emissions standards. More intriguingly, Mazda is exploring a version where the rotary engine drives the wheels directly, something we haven’t seen since the RX-8 ended production in 2012.

While a fully electric Iconic SP remains technically feasible, Mazda has ruled it out—for now. Instead, the company is focusing on refining rotary combustion technology to use not just gasoline, but also oxygen, hydrogen, and other alternative fuels, making the SP both futuristic and flexible.

A Business Case in the Making

Despite technological readiness, the biggest hurdle remains the business case. Mazda is still determining when and how to bring the Iconic SP to market. A launch before 2026 is unlikely, but the rotary engine will be technically ready “soon,” and it will pass U.S. regulations.

Mazda’s long-term strategy involves a flexible EV platform, expected by 2027, that can house various powertrains—including rotary hybrids. In partnership with Panasonic, Mazda is planning a homegrown EV lineup, but in the case of the SP, the rotary engine is central to its identity.

According to Jeff Guyton, Mazda’s CFO, the rotary engine is “part of the soul of the company.” A dedicated team of engineers—some veterans of RX-7 and RX-8 development—are working to ensure its legacy continues in a sustainable, modern way.

Mazda’s Two-Sports-Car Future

If Mazda follows through, enthusiasts will be treated to a dual-offering: the lightweight, agile Miata and the more powerful, futuristic Iconic SP. Together, they will represent two sizes of joy for driving purists.

Mazda is also nurturing nostalgia. The company has established a classic restoration program in Hiroshima, currently focusing on first-generation MX-5s. There are whispers of similar treatment for the RX-7—pending parts availability.

For now, fans must wait as Mazda carefully balances passion, regulation, and profitability. But with the Miata’s legacy secure and the Iconic SP inching toward production, the next chapter in Mazda’s storied performance history looks as promising as ever.

Source: Motor Trend

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Mazda Confirms Iconic SP Will Not Replace Miata, Hints at RX-7 Spiritual Successor
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New Mazda CX-5 Revealed in First Leak Ahead of Late 2025 Premiere

Mazda’s SUV portfolio has earned a reputation for blending sleek design with driving pleasure, but in today’s hyper-competitive compact SUV segment, even a standout like the CX-5 eventually starts to show its age. After nearly a decade on the market, the second-generation CX-5 is preparing to hand over the baton, as Mazda gears up for a new chapter. A leaked image of the third-generation model has just surfaced—offering our first clear glimpse at what’s to come.

The leaked photo, shared by Car Design News via Instagram, appears to be a lower-resolution official image, but it confirms much of what industry watchers had already suspected based on recent spy shots of camouflaged prototypes. Mazda has opted for continuity over radical redesign, preserving the classic SUV shape while updating it with refined styling cues and new proportions.

Familiar DNA, Sharper Lines

Visually, the upcoming CX-5 retains Mazda’s design language—think wide, confident grille and sleek LED headlights—but evolves it with sharper boomerang-shaped light signatures and a redesigned front fascia. The vehicle is reportedly around 110 mm longer than its predecessor, yet still maintains a compact and athletic silhouette.

At the rear, major design changes include tail lights that stretch deeply into the fenders and almost reach the center of the tailgate, while the turn signals are now pushed further to the edges. The new model also introduces a distinctive C-shaped roof rack, distancing itself subtly from the more futuristic design of Mazda’s recent Arata concept shown at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show.

A Carefully Calibrated SUV Strategy

The CX-5 has long been Mazda’s best-selling model globally, but its dominance has recently been challenged by newer, larger, and more tech-savvy competitors. Mazda has responded with a significant overhaul of its SUV lineup. In North America, the brand has rolled out models like the CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90, while Europe received the two-row CX-60 and the three-row CX-80. Meanwhile, the CX-30 remains popular thanks to its urban-friendly footprint.

With this third-generation CX-5, Mazda is looking to reassert its position in the crowded compact SUV space, blending familiar appeal with new technologies.

New Tech Under the Bonnet

Details remain scarce for now, but Mazda has confirmed that the new CX-5 will debut with a hybrid version—developed entirely in-house. This marks a significant move for Mazda, which has typically partnered with Toyota on hybrid tech. The initial hybrid offering will rely on existing powertrain components, but a more advanced setup featuring Mazda’s new SkyActiv-Z gasoline engine is in the works. However, this next-generation powertrain is not expected to arrive before the end of 2027.

When to Expect It

Mazda has officially scheduled the global premiere of the all-new CX-5 for the fourth quarter of 2025. Until then, the leaked image offers an exciting teaser of what’s to come: a thoughtfully updated CX-5 that respects its past while inching forward into the future of sustainable, stylish mobility.

Source: Mazda; Photo: Car Design News via Instagram

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Next-generation Mazda MX-5 could be EV

10 years ago, Mazda launched the fourth generation of the MX-5, and now the Japanese company is working on the development of the next generation, which could be a step into the future. According to Auto Express, Mazda is currently considering offering an all-electric version in addition to the version powered by the new combustion engine.

Auto Express claims that the secret patents reveal an electric-powered MX-5. They envisage a battery located in the transmission tunnel, which is the opposite of the construction of the standard architecture that electric vehicles have. This is not new, as the Lamborghini Revuelto uses the same architecture with a 3.8 kWh battery also located in the transmission tunnel. The car will also have two batteries located behind both seats, similar to the new all-electric Porsche Cayman. There is no information about the battery, but some rumors say that Mazda could opt for a 35.5 kWh battery.

What can also be learned from the aforementioned documents is that the moment of inertia of the steering can be further reduced, because the battery is installed in the tunnel, which allows the center of gravity of the vehicle to be close to the middle. This is a familiar philosophy of the company that has contributed to the MX-5 being more agile and manageable.

Also, the documents show a single electric motor located behind the seats, so it is expected that the MX-5 will retain rear-wheel drive. The new Skyactiv-Z engine is expected to power the next generation of the MX-5 after the current generation is retired, meaning we could expect two different Mazda MX-5 models by 2027.

Source: Auto Express