Financial Challenges Hinder Mazda’s Return to the Rotary Era
Two years have passed since Mazda unveiled the Iconic SP concept at the Japan Mobility Show, sparking excitement among fans of the brand’s iconic rotary engine legacy. However, despite the initial enthusiasm, the road to bringing a new rotary-powered sports car back to life is proving more complicated than expected. The company has long been known for its reluctance to turn concept cars into production models, and the RX-Vision from 2015 remains a painful reminder of this pattern. Now, with the Iconic SP, the same uncertainty looms large.
In an interview with Autocar, Mazda’s Chief Technology Officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, admitted that the project faces significant financial hurdles. While he emphasized that the “only outstanding issue is financial,” it’s clear that the challenges are far from trivial. For a company like Mazda, which operates on a smaller scale compared to automotive giants such as Toyota or Volkswagen, funding a completely new sports car—especially one powered by a rotary engine—requires careful consideration.
Despite these obstacles, there are signs that Mazda is still committed to the idea. The company has re-established its dedicated engineering team for rotary engines, and their efforts have already shown promise. The Vision X-Coupe, for instance, features a two-rotor rotary engine integrated into a plug-in hybrid system that delivers over 500 horsepower. This demonstrates that the technology is not only viable but also capable of delivering impressive performance.
Umeshita described the Iconic SP as his “dream car” and expressed a desire to “make it real.” However, he also acknowledged that the project is still in the early stages. A production version would require a completely new platform, separate from the MX-5 Miata, and would likely be positioned as a successor to the RX-7. While the current concept uses the rotary engine solely as a generator, Umeshita hasn’t ruled out the possibility of using it to directly drive the wheels in a future model.
Mazda’s Strategic Priorities
Mazda’s Lean Asset Strategy, announced earlier this year, highlights the company’s focus on cost-cutting measures, particularly in its electric vehicle (EV) investments. Although a dedicated EV platform is planned for 2027, the company is prioritizing other initiatives, such as a proprietary hybrid setup set to debut in the next-generation CX-5 and a new Skyactiv-Z combustion engine. These developments suggest that the rotary sports car may not be a top priority at the moment.
However, Umeshita remains optimistic about the future of the Iconic SP. He stated, “I would never say we gave it up.” Even if the project is delayed, the fact that Mazda continues to invest in rotary technology is encouraging. The company is also working on a new Miata, which will feature a larger engine, a manual gearbox, and potentially a lighter design. This development gives fans hope that Mazda is still committed to its sports car heritage.
Looking Ahead
While the road to a production-ready Iconic SP may be long, the continued interest in the rotary engine and the company’s recent engineering advancements suggest that the dream of a new RX sports car is not dead. Whether it will eventually make it to the market remains to be seen, but for now, Mazda’s CTO is keeping the flame alive.
Photo by: Mazda