'One rotor is not enough': The Mazda RX-7 revival is in full swing with Iconic SP heading to production with twin-rotor rotary hybrid to battle the Nissan Z, Toyota Supra and BMW M2

Mazda’s sports car revolution is in full swing with CEO Masahiro Moro promising the Iconic SP is on its way to production.  

“We still persist in making it happen, and we are marching towards it step by step,” Moro-san told Automotive News about the Iconic SP concept car. 

The sports car hinges on technology advancements, with Moro admitting more power from a twin-rotor set-up is needed if the technology is to work in the United States. 

“I want a rotary engine that complies with very stringent emission regulations. That is going to be a significant challenge. We are very close. If we are thinking about the U.S. market, one rotor is not enough. Two rotors are needed to generate more power.

“We have tested with the single rotor. The next phase will be moving to two. The rotors spin separately in different chambers with one shaft. We need to generate more electricity. Two rotors will generate more power, which is more suitable to U.S. market characteristics,” said Moro. 

Before reaching the Iconic SP’s eventual production milestone, where it’s expected to sit above the MX-5 as a rival for the Nissan Z and Toyota Supra, Mazda has a lot of work. 

Mazda will enter ‘Phase two’ of Moro’s electrification road map in 2025, with a dedicated electric car platform, in-house plugless hybrid system, new ultra-efficient Skyactiv Z engine and new CX-5 all by 2027. 

Then, come 2028, ‘Phase three’ will see Mazda ramp up rotary engine production proper with the twin-rotor system targeted at US-market tastes. It is not certain that the Iconic SP’s rotary system will make it into other models, but it sounds like Mazda is keen to revive the technology. 

Japanese patent filings revealed Mazda is toying with a triple electric motor set-up. The twin-rotor engine sits behind the front axle with a 25kW electric motor acting as a flywheel. This means a six-speed manual transmission is possible. 

Additionally, two electric motors power the front axle for greater torque vectoring. Peak power is expected to be around 260kW (350hp). 

To preview the Iconic SP, CarsGuide commissioned digital artist Thanos Pappas to deliver a render. With physical door handles, production-ready wheels and lights and a higher ride height, it gives an idea of what to expect. 

Mazda is also developing its ultra-efficient ‘Skyactiv-Z’ engine in the mean time to support combustion engine development beyond 2030. Moro-san describes the technology as “a significant breakthrough.”