Mazda’s New Rotary Sports Car Is Almost Ready

Mazda is one of the few car companies still excited about making sports cars. While many others are moving away from them, Mazda is working on two exciting models. We already know the company is planning a new version of the popular Miata. But there’s something even bigger on the way—a new rotary-engined sports car based on the 2023 Iconic SP concept.

Even when it was just a concept, the Iconic SP looked like it could be a real car. Masashi Nakayama, Mazda’s design boss, said, “I have to be very careful what I say here, but we made sure that it will be feasible for production.”

Mazda has already brought the rotary engine back in a small way. A single-rotor engine is being used as a range extender in the MX-30 R-EV, but that model isn’t sold in the U.S. The Iconic SP, though, will have a much more powerful twin-rotor version—something fans have been waiting for.

The biggest challenge has been meeting strict emissions rules. Rotary engines are known for having a hard time passing these tests. Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro explained, “I decided to reopen the rotary engine development group and I gave a mission to them… to comply with stringent emissions regulations like LEV IV in the U.S., and Euro 7.”

He admitted this isn’t easy. “That is a very high hurdle they have to overcome, but in the last year the progress has been very encouraging.”

Mazda’s chief technical officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, said they’re nearly done with the technical side. “Where we are is developing the technology to pass the U.S. regulation, and we have a very good forecast now, so we are almost ready,” he said. “The next challenge is… now you can support us in making a good business case.”

That means Mazda is looking at whether enough people would actually buy the car. If they see good interest, they’re ready to go.

There’s still a question about how the engine will work in the production car. In the Iconic SP concept, it was used as a range extender for an electric battery. The combined system was claimed to make 365 horsepower. But Mazda might go with a different setup—maybe a more traditional hybrid system with a direct connection between the engine and the wheels.

Umeshita hinted at this while talking about the future Miata. He said if the new car becomes a “super sports” model, it would need a faster transmission. “Then probably not a manual, but a more advanced transmission technology can be used,” he added.

Fans are also wondering if the new car will keep the cool pop-up-style headlights shown on the concept. These were inspired by past RX-7 models. Nakayama said it’s possible. “We can do it in terms of technology… but the question is regulation. Of course, if you could support us, we’d love to do it.”

So, if you want to see another rotary Mazda sports car on the road—start speaking up. Mazda is listening.

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