Mazda wants to build a Porsche 911 competitor

Mazda has already brought the rotary engine back to showrooms in the hybrid version of the compact Mazda MX-30. But now the Japanese car manufacturer is fully committed to this technology. Mazda is building on the Mazda Iconic SP, a sports research model launched in 2023.

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The rotary engine development department at work

Mazda CEO Katsuhiro Moro made the announcement at the recent Tokyo Motor Show. During his speech, Moro suggested that the rotary engine concept car – which debuted at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show – could become a reality: “Thanks to your encouragement, we will launch a rotary engine development department in February 1 to be closer to this dream.”

Successor Mazda RX-7 and RX-8 – but different

The Japanese CEO is still seen as a bit of a skeptic and a dreamer, but fans of rotary-engined Mazdas are still finding hope. Yet the next generation of rotary-engine sports cars will be completely different from the iconic Mazda RX-7 and RX-8.

Because the Iconic SP concept does not use a rotary engine to drive the wheels, but as a generator for electric motors. These in turn make the wheels turn. Just like the Mazda MX-30 R-EV does, that is. To make the cycle engine’s thirsty nature even greener, Mazda may want to run it on (green) hydrogen in its future sports car.

‘Comparable to Porsche 911’

The 2023 research model is said to produce around 370 hp and weigh 1450 kg. Doesn’t sound bad. The CEO of Mazda did not even hesitate to compare the Iconic SP with the Porsche 911. We already said: he is some kind of dream, that Mr. Moro.