The Mazda MX-5 is among the company’s most famous and beloved models but with the electrified age upon us, what does the future hold for it? Well, the new Mazda Vision SP concept presented at the Japan Mobility Show provides a glimpse of what the future could hold for the series. Although our initial impression might evoke memories of the legendary FD RX-7, it provides insight into the evolving direction of the Miata
Changing and attempting to modernize and improve on a car like the MX-5 is never easy and the much-lamented third-generation NC model is a testament to that. With the Vision SP, Mazda has aimed to create a sleek and compact sports car that’s not just well suited to use on a racetrack but also comfortable to enjoy on the weekend or during an everyday trip to the shops. Making it all the more exciting is the fact that it has a twin-rotor powertrain, albeit one with a twist.
Mazda describes the Vision SP as sporting a “two-rotor rotary EV system” which it says can run on hydrogen, among other carbon-neutral fuels. It can also run in all-electric mode and is good for a combined 365 hp / 370 PS. What’s more, the carmaker says the Iconic SP can serve as a backup power source and supply a family with enough electricity for more than a week. It has not yet specified how large the concept car’s battery pack is, nor how many electric motors the hybrid system uses.
Adorning the sultry exterior of the car is a hot shade of Viola Red that helps to highlight the flowing curves and simple lines. The design is refreshingly simple in an era where most other car manufacturers are making their new vehicles look overly aggressive and sharp. This is perhaps most evident from the front end where there is a lovely modern-day interpretation of pop-up headlights and the characteristic smiley grille of other Mazda models.
Read: Mazda Says It’s Considering An Electric MX-5
The Iconic SP concept is 4,180 mm (164 inches) long, 1,850 mm (72.8 inches) wide, and stands 1,150 mm (45.2 inches) tall with a 2,590 mm (101.9-inch) wheelbase. This means it is 10 inches longer than the current Miata and the added size, plus that trick hybrid powertrain, also means it is substantially heavier, tipping the scales at 1,450 kg (3,196 lbs).
“Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives,” Mazda’s representative director, president and chief executive Masahiro Moro said at the car’s unveiling. “As a car-loving company that mass-produces the inspiring mobility experience, we are committed to shaping the future with our partners sharing the same goal, as well as our fans, where everyone can proudly say, ‘we love cars.’ With such a strong will, Mazda is committed to enrich life-in-motion for those we serve.”
