Every day the automotive industry brings us closer to a world without sports cars, or coupes of any kind for that matter. Mazda is working diligently to prevent such an eventuality from coming to pass. Since its 1989 introduction the MX-5 has become one of the most successful sports cars in history, and while the ND-generation model is reaching its end, that won’t be the book’s final chapter. The next MX-5 might look something like the 2023 Japan Mobility Show’s Iconic SP concept, including its 365-horsepower electric drivetrain and gasoline rotary engine range extender.
According to the designer of the SP concept, Masashi Nakayama, “This concept is not just one of those empty show cars. It’s been designed with real intent to turn it into a production model in the not-so-distant future.”
It’s difficult to say exactly when the “not-so-distant future” is on Mazda’s timeline, but the current MX-5 is expected to live through 2026, but not much beyond that. It would be smart of Mazda to have a MX-5 replacement ready to go when the current generation dies, but it may not be that soon.
Will the next MX-5 look like this concept? Well, the Iconic SP concept was designed from the get go with production intent.
“In the development process, everything from the position of the doors and tires to the length of the vehicle, the seating position of the occupants and visibility was meticulously researched before reaching the final specifications,” claims Naohito Saga, Mazda’s Executive Officer in charge of R&D Planning. “It really shows how much we wanted to make it a car that manifests Mazda’s commitment for the future, especially in terms of sustainability and the future role of our rotary engine technology.”
Before you get too concerned about a new electric MX-5 being way too heavy, consider that the Iconic SP concept is just 3,196 pounds ready to rock. OK, so that’s 900 pounds more than the current MX-5, but it’s a pretty mild weight gain considering the extra power and the weight of the batteries it has to haul around. I’d much rather see the MX-5 go electric than see it disappear altogether, so whatever Mazda needs to do to make that happen is a welcome compromise in my eyes. Let’s hope it comes sooner than later, shall we?