Mazda's complex Toyota-crushing hybrid rotary hero! 2026 RX-7 revival to launch as a 260kW tri-motor twin-rotor screamer with a manual transmission: Report

Information about Mazda’s new halo rotary sports car continues to trickle in after it was teased at last year’s Tokyo Mobility Show as the Iconic SP. 

Since then, patent details have revealed production car-ready pop-up headlights that look just like the concept’s and that it will adopt a twin-rotor Wankel rotary-based hybrid. 

The new ‘RX-7’ was thought to be a range extender with the rotary engine not capable of powering the wheels directly, however new reports from Japan’s BestCar seem to confirm the combustion engine will drive the rear wheels. Possibly even through a six-speed manual.

There were more patent filings in June that reveal the twin-rotor engine sits behind the front axle and does not have a flywheel. 

Instead, according to BestCar, there is a 25kW electric motor that will do the flywheel’s job while also being able to power the drive-shaft to the rear wheels. 

Due to this design choice, Mazda will be able to use a transaxle transmission located on the rear axle, so a traditional automatic or even driver-friendly six-speed manual transmission will be possible. 

Additionally, the patents promise a pair of 17kW electric motors located on each front axle. This system is likely to give Mazda excellent torque vectoring capabilities — if it makes production — including the ability to drive an individual front wheel, or even use regenerative braking, to trim the Iconic SP’s line in a corner. 

Mazda is already exploring torque vectoring with the MX-5’s ‘Kinetic Posture Control’ (KPC) that uses the rear brakes to stabilise the roadster through turns.  

Reports claim the rotary sports car will be able to run in hybrid, combustion-only and even electric-only mode for short periods. The battery capacity is not known but the pack is located behind the coupe’s two seats. 

In concept guise, the Iconic SP is shorter than a GR86 (4180mm vs 4265mm) yet it is wider and has a 135mm lower roofline. Its wheels are pushed right to each corner, with a 2590mm wheelbase. The wide wheel stance is accentuated by a pinched cabin, giving the coupe its classic ‘Coke bottle’ look. 

The reports are somewhat contradictory, for example the production version of the Iconic SP is now expected to make around 260kW (350hp) rather than 272kW and weigh 1350kg — 100kg less than previously thought.

Pricing is expected to be roughly six-seven million yen in Japan, equivalent to $61,000-$72,000 in Australian dollars. That would put it in direct competition with the Nissan Z, have it undercut the Toyota Supra and potentially do battle with Toyota’s promised 300kW Celica. 

It sounds like the RX-7 successor is a sure bet for production, after Mazda President and CEO Masahiro Moro’s comments at the concept’s reveal. 

“Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives.

“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,” he said.

The sports car’s name is another worthy topic. Many have called it the ‘RX-9’ which could be accurate given the stepchange from the turbo RX-7 to naturally-aspirated RX-8 and now hybrid ‘RX-9’. 

It could also rebirth the RX-7 name, after all, the MX-5 is still called just that in fourth-gen ‘ND’ guise. The Iconic SP is also truer to the FD RX-7 recipe than it is to the four(ish) door RX-8.

Mazda’s new halo sports car remains a mystery for now. It is expected to make production in 2026 with plenty more spy shots and patent findings to come before its final unveiling.