The world has been without a flagship Mazda sports car for far too long. While the Japanese automaker is best known for offering wonderful driving dynamics, there’s only one true sports car in its range. That lone model is the MX-5, a great little roadster we enjoy having around the office.
While the MX-5 is great and all, there are still those who dream of an even more powerful Mazda sports car. We usually laud Mazdas for their driving dynamics in their respective segments, but a company that prides itself on Jinba Ittai and the joy of driving can’t have just one sports model, right?
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Mazda showed off the Iconic SP concept during the 2023 Japan Mobility Show and it’s safe to say that there is strong clamor for a production model. Besides, it’s the most realistic chance of a flagship Mazda sports car again. Heck, even the folks at Mazda want to make it a reality.
Motoring publication Drive had a chat with Mazda Australia director of marketing, Alastair Doak. The executive said that not all concept cars ‘point to a new model,’ but ‘they all have a purpose.’ When asked about Mazda concepts reaching production, Doak said ‘I hope so, it would be nice.’
The company’s own executives have also stated their desire to build a production version of the Iconic SP. Mazda’s chief designer, Masashi Nakayama, even said ‘I want to see it out in the world that much.’
It appears that the Hiroshima-based automaker is already taking steps to make that happen. If you recall, Mazda, along with Subaru and Toyota, have teamed up to keep the combustion engine burning via means of various electrification methods, all while keeping their signature engines.
In Mazda’s case, it’s working on single and dual-rotor versions of its rotary range extender as seen in the MX-30 R-EV crossover. Perhaps with a little help from Subaru and Toyota, the rotary Mazda flagship sports car could rise again. After all, it’s been over a decade since we last saw one.
