This week’s Japan Mobility Present is not simply an auto present; it is a technological present of drive. Japan’s automakers, lengthy accused of dragging their heels within the race to battery electrification,  are right here to indicate the world they have what it takes to compete with the likes of Tesla, the American and European and automakers and newcomers from China. However it appears to be like like they are going to have some enjoyable whereas they do that.

Living proof: the Mazda Iconic SP Idea, an electrical car that will get energy from a really Mazda supply and appears all however destined to encourage the subsequent MX-5 Miata. Mazda has in some way concurrently given us loads to unpack right here, and never a ton of particulars, however I will do my greatest. It seems to be a two-seat sports activities automobile (Mazda does not depend the seats right here, however I am unable to see any within the again) that is powered by a “two-rotor rotary EV system.” It is electrical, therefore the “Cost” emblem on the digital dashboard. However these batteries are recharged by a rotary engine, like Mazda’s iconic RX-7 and RX-8 automobiles, that the automaker says can run on varied gas varieties. It is rated at about 365 horsepower. 

Mazda does not say this, however to me, that could possibly be the place the “Iconic” identify comes from; it appears like a sort of fusion of Miata and RX-7, in some methods, however with electrification for the fashionable period. 

“Batteries are charged by recyclable power sources, and the two-rotor rotary engine, used for energy technology, is powered by carbon-neutral gas,” Mazda mentioned in a information launch. “The 2-rotor rotary EV system, which makes use of a extremely scalable rotary engine that may burn varied fuels akin to hydrogen, generates electrical energy with carbon-neutral gas. As well as, when the battery is charged with electrical energy derived from renewable power, it’s potential to drive in a just about carbon-neutral state.” Technologically, it sounds similar to the rotary range-extender Mazda MX-30 EV, though that engine had only one spinning triangle and never two. 

Much more curiously, the Iconic SP appears to have a plug and a few V2X capabilities too: “As well as, though it’s a sports activities automobile, it could actually provide energy when having fun with out of doors leisure and within the time of a catastrophe.” It is principally an RV, then. 

I are inclined to depend myself as a skeptic of e-fuels at the same time as I believe hydrogen, whereas usually controversial, should not be written off fully. Having mentioned that, a battery-driven sports activities automobile that may derive electrical energy from varied fuels is an attention-grabbing concept—although I might’ve beloved to have seen Mazda simply lean into the complete EV concept right here with this design. As a result of it’s a incredible design, and fairly clearly a extra fleshed-out model of that Imaginative and prescient Research sports activities automobile idea Mazda teased final 12 months. 

When it comes to measurement, Mazda says it is a bit of longer, wider, and packs an even bigger wheelbase than the present ND Miata. However at 1,450 kg (3,196 kilos) it is fairly a bit heftier than that automobile, too, which is not stunning provided that advanced powertrain. It additionally seems to have an automated transmission right here operated by 4 toggle switches. 

My tackle the Iconic SP Idea is that it’s extremely… concept-y. That hydrogen/e-fuel/rotary powertrain feels not possible for manufacturing, particularly after the near-immediate failure of the MX-30. However it appears to be like unimaginable, and it appears very prone to inform a future Miata of some type, which is alleged to be electrified ultimately – presumably a hybrid. 

We do know Mazda has quite a lot of catching as much as do on the electrification entrance. Within the U.S., it solely affords one plug-in hybrid with the costly CX-90 three-row crossover whereas different rivals are racing full-steam forward on EV energy. However Mazda’s attempting to catch up. It is planning a bunch of recent battery EVs for the tip of this decade and can fortunately develop its hybrid lineup alongside the way in which too. Hopefully, the automaker recognized for excellent designs and enjoyable automobiles can discover a means into an electrified future. 

A technique or one other, I hope the design of the Iconic SP Idea makes it to actuality. I do not assume I might get bored with seeing that automobile round.