Reborn Mazda RX-7 headed for production! Mazda design boss hints Iconic SP concept will hit the road with twin-rotary power to battle Toyota Supra and Nissan Z

Mazda is joining the Japanese sports car revolution.

The company’s design chief Masashi Nakayama said the Iconic SP Concept from the 2023 Tokyo motor show was always destined to become a reality.

"This concept is not just one of those empty show cars," he said.

"It’s been designed with real intent to turn it into a production model in the not-so-distant future."

This all but confirms the stunning concept will be a feature on roads soon.

Adding weight to the claim was the Iconic SP Concept has been registered with the Japan Patent Office earlier this year.

That registration confirmed some eye-popping features such as retractable pop-up headlights and twin-rotary EV power.

Those will have fans of Mazda’s historic sports cars foaming at the mouth with excitement with throwbacks to early MX-5s and the legendary RX-7.

While the Iconic SP's production version was expected to use a high-revving rotary as a generator to feed a battery that powers electric motors driving the wheels, later patents have thrown a spanner in the works.

The Iconic SP may have its rotary engine power the wheels via a six-speed manual, after all.

The concept was quoted as pushing out 272kW and it weighed 1450kg.

The patent registration also confirmed the car’s overall styling would remain with its Coke Bottle design, as will the slimline window runner mounted side mirrors.

It’s uncertain whether the Iconic SP would replace the MX-5, a spiritual successor to RX-7/RX-8 or be an all new sports car.

The fact it’s a coupe would mean it wouldn’t replace the drop-top MX-5, and it is bigger, which puts it up against the Supra and Nissan Z in Japan’s pantheon of fun machines.

The signs were there when Mazda took the covers off the concept car at last year’s Tokyo show.

Mazda boss Masahiro Moro said at the time: “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.

It is just the latest desirable machine to be rumoured from Japanese brands that appear certain to regain the glory days of the 1980s.

Toyota is rumoured to be bringing back the Celica and MR2. Both could use hybrid power, with the Celica expected to use the company’s new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol-electric set-up that could deliver 300kW.

Honda is bringing back the Prelude as a hybrid sports car hero to rival the Iconic SP.