Mazda's Chief Technical Officer confirms the Iconic SP will be "a good successor for RX-7" and sold alongside the Miata
The concept produces 365 horsepower from a dual-rotor range extender system, with a pure rotary version also being considered
At 164.5 inches long, it's significantly larger than the Miata but maintains the two-seat configuration and lightweight philosophy

Finally, someone at Mazda has come to their senses. After years of teasing us with rotary concepts that never materialized and watching enthusiasts mourn the death of the RX-8, Japan's most interesting car company has confirmed that the Iconic SP concept will become a production reality as the spiritual successor to the legendary RX-7. This isn't just another concept car destined for automotive purgatory – this is Mazda's commitment to keeping the rotary dream alive.

The announcement that the Iconic SP will be positioned above the Miata rather than replacing it represents the sort of sensible thinking that's been sadly absent from automotive decision-making lately. Rather than forcing one car to serve multiple purposes, Mazda is planning a proper sports car lineup where each model has its own character and mission. The Miata remains the lightweight, affordable sports car for people who understand that driving pleasure doesn't require massive power, while the Iconic SP will cater to those who want something more substantial. What makes this particularly exciting is Mazda's commitment to rotary power in an era when most manufacturers are abandoning anything that isn't electric or turbocharged. The rotary engine represents one of the most distinctive powerplants in automotive history, and its potential return suggests that some companies still understand the value of engineering character over corporate efficiency.

Iconic SP specifications and design details

The Iconic SP concept measures 164.5 inches in length, 72.8 inches in width, and stands just 45.2 inches tall, riding on a 102-inch wheelbase. These dimensions make it 10.4 inches longer and 4.7 inches wider than the current Miata, while sitting 3.3 inches lower. The result should be a car that looks properly dramatic while maintaining the focused proportions that define great sports cars.

Despite the increased size and 11-inch longer wheelbase compared to the Miata, the Iconic SP maintains a strict two-seat configuration, which suggests Mazda understands that adding rear seats would compromise the car's fundamental mission. At 3,197 pounds in concept form, it's significantly heavier than the 2,469-pound Miata RF, but still reasonable for a modern sports car with rotary power and hybrid assistance. The concept's swoopy design represents some of Mazda's most dramatic styling work, combining the flowing lines that define their current design language with the purposeful aggression appropriate for a rotary sports car. The low stance and dramatic proportions suggest this will be a car that looks fast even when stationary, which is exactly what you want from something carrying the spiritual weight of the RX-7 legacy.

The two-seat layout and sports car proportions indicate that Mazda is prioritizing driving purity over practicality, which represents the correct approach for a car intended to honor the RX-7's legacy. The increased size compared to the Miata should provide more interior space and potentially better high-speed stability without sacrificing the fundamental lightweight philosophy that makes Mazda sports cars special.

Iconic SP rotary powertrain options

The concept version produces 365 horsepower through a fascinating hybrid system where a dual-rotor combustion engine serves as a generator to recharge the battery that powers an electric motor. This approach allows Mazda to harness the rotary's unique characteristics while addressing the engine's traditional fuel consumption challenges through electric assistance.nMore intriguingly, Mazda is also considering a version where the rotary engine directly drives the wheels, which would represent the first time since the RX-8's departure in 2012 that you could buy a car powered directly by Wankel combustion. This pure rotary option would satisfy purists who want the unfiltered experience of rotary power without electric intervention.

The dual-rotor setup promises more power than the single-rotor system used in the MX-30 crossover, while meeting US emissions regulations that the crossover's system couldn't satisfy. This suggests Mazda has solved the regulatory challenges that have prevented rotary engines from returning to American markets. The hybrid approach makes considerable sense for a rotary sports car, as the electric motor can provide instant torque to complement the rotary's high-rev power delivery, while the unique rotary characteristics provide generator duties that conventional engines struggle to match. The combination could deliver both efficiency and the distinctive rotary experience that enthusiasts remember.

Iconic SP market positioning and timeline

Mazda's Chief Technical Officer has explicitly stated that buyers "can expect Iconic SP will be a good successor for RX-7," though he stopped short of confirming whether the production car will actually carry the RX-7 name. The spiritual connection is clear regardless of badging, as this represents Mazda's return to building serious rotary sports cars after more than a decade away. The positioning above the Miata suggests pricing that will likely start above $50,000, possibly reaching into the $60,000 range when properly equipped. This puts the Iconic SP in competition with cars like the Supra, Z car, and various European sports cars, but none of those competitors offer rotary power or Mazda's distinctive approach to driving dynamics.

Interestingly, the rotary sports car could arrive before the next-generation Miata, as Mazda's design chief has confirmed the current MX-5 will remain on sale for several more years. This timeline allows Mazda to establish the Iconic SP as its own model rather than rushing it to market as a Miata replacement. When the new Miata does eventually arrive, it will inherit styling cues from the Iconic SP while maintaining its own distinct character. The new Miata will likely use Mazda's newly announced Skyactiv-Z engine while preserving the six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and lightweight construction that define the model.

The Iconic SP represents something important for Mazda and the broader automotive landscape: proof that relatively small manufacturers can still pursue distinctive engineering solutions rather than following industry trends toward homogenization. In a world where most sports cars use similar turbocharged engines and increasingly similar design approaches, Mazda's commitment to rotary power represents genuine diversity. The return of rotary power also validates the patience of enthusiasts who never gave up hope that Mazda would eventually return to its most distinctive technology. The RX-7 and RX-8 created passionate followings precisely because they offered experiences unavailable anywhere else, and the Iconic SP promises to continue that tradition.

Whether Mazda can successfully bring rotary sports cars back to the mainstream market remains to be seen, but the Iconic SP represents their most serious attempt in over a decade. For enthusiasts who remember what made rotary-powered cars special, this announcement represents hope that automotive diversity isn't dead, just temporarily dormant.

The fact that Mazda is planning both hybrid and pure rotary versions suggests they understand that different customers want different levels of rotary authenticity, which seems like exactly the right approach for reintroducing this unique technology to modern markets.