Mazda RX-7 comeback teased

Mazda continues to tease the motoring world, unveiling another striking sports car concept that clearly takes inspiration from the iconic RX-7.

The appropriately named Iconic SP was unveiled today (Wednesday) at the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, a swoopy coupe powered by a new experimental rotary engine. Of course this isn’t the first time Mazda has hinted at a revival of its famous sports car, having previously created the equally striking RX-Vision concept at the Tokyo show back in 2015.

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However, there are some glimmers of hope that this won’t just be another tease and Mazda is getting serious about returning to the sports car market – even though Mazda has given no indication if or when that will happen. The key is the engine, which Mazda hasn’t revealed full details of but calls a “two-rotor rotary EV system” that can run on a variety of fuels, including hydrogen, and “generates electricity with carbon-neutral fuel” to produce a “virtually carbon-neutral” powertrain.

As we’ve previously reported, Toyota is working on an all-new sports car that has been co-developed as both a road car and the brand’s new GT3 racer, and Mazda coupe potentially utilise that platform as the basis of a revived RX-7 to save development costs.

For now though, Mazda is saying the Iconic SP has been created simply to speak to its customers who love cars and the joy of driving.
“Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives,” explained Mazda president and CEO, Masahiro Moro. “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.”

So hopefully this isn’t just another tease and instead the first big step towards bringing back on of history’s most beloved sports cars.