Mazda Debuts World's First Compact PHEV Sports Car Concept

MAZDA ICONIC SP

A Compact PHEV Sports Car Concept Powered by Carbon-Neutral Fuel

Mazda unveiled the "Iconic SP," a compact plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sports car concept, at the "Japan Mobility Show 2023" for its world premiere.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi

A Two-Rotor Rotary EV System Mounted in a Front Midship

At the "Japan Mobility Show 2023," Mazda presented its theme: "The Future Created by a Love for Cars."

Mazda Debuts World's First Compact PHEV Sports Car Concept | MAZDA

The most prominent manifestation of this theme is the "Iconic SP," a compact sports car concept making its world debut.

At its heart lies a highly versatile rotary engine, capable of running on various fuels including hydrogen. This powers a compact, layout-flexible two-rotor rotary EV system mounted in a front midship configuration, generating electricity using carbon-neutral fuel.

Furthermore, by charging the onboard battery with electricity derived from renewable energy sources, the car can effectively run on carbon-neutral power. Beyond its sports car capabilities, it can also supply electricity for outdoor leisure activities or during emergencies.

With dimensions of 4,180mm in length, 1,850mm in width, and 1,150mm in height, its low-profile proportions and an ideal 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution contribute to excellent driving dynamics.

The "Iconic SP" on display is, as expected, finished in red. The original color, "VIOLA RED," was created based on Mazda's desire to "cherish red," embodying the company's philosophy of "expanding the circle of people who live today with a positive outlook."

At the Mazda booth, visitors can also explore Mazda's vision of "The Future Created by a Love for Cars" through five zones, including a restored first-generation Roadster and a corner where children can enjoy cars through mini-cars and 2/3-scale Roadsters.