Mazda Hints at the Return of the Rotary Engine: Iconic SP May Get a Sporty “Rotary Plus” Hybrid

Rotary engines have always been considered Mazda’s signature technology. Their key advantage is compact dimensions and low weight compared with traditional piston engines. In theory, that’s an ideal recipe for a sports car, which is why every generation of the RX-7 used rotary power, and the RX-8 carried on that philosophy in the 2000s. Now Mazda is once again stoking public interest, suggesting that the rotary engine can have a real role in the era of electrification—not just a symbolic one.

Mazda has already shown several ways a rotary engine could be used in modern powertrains. These include plug-in hybrid solutions such as the short-lived MX-30 R-EV, as well as concepts like the Vision X-Coupe. But the key question for enthusiasts is simple: will the rotary engine actually drive the wheels, or will it be relegated to serving only as a generator for electric motors?

According to Mazda representative Schulze, if the goal is a more performance-oriented setup, a “rotary plus” configuration makes more sense—a hybrid designed with driving engagement in mind. That points toward a parallel hybrid system, rather than a series setup in which the combustion engine only generates electricity.

Rotary fans want to feel the engine’s output directly. Simply “hearing the sound” while knowing the engine is acting as a generator somewhere in the background isn’t enough.

Schulze also noted that a rotary-hybrid layout at the level of the Iconic SP could be very efficient. If the car were fueled with CO₂-neutral fuel, it would also offer a moral argument: a vehicle that meets modern environmental expectations while relying on renewable solutions. At the same time, he acknowledged that emissions compliance is achievable but challenging, and Mazda still needs to assess what is realistically possible in the long term.

At the 2023 Tokyo auto show, where the Iconic SP and an updated MX-5 were unveiled, Mazda President and CEO Masahiro Moro emphasized that in the age of electrification, the company intends to preserve the joy of driving symbolized by the MX-5 and to further develop the Iconic SP concept. He described an EV powertrain with an electric generator and a twin-rotor mechanism as a “dream solution.”

In terms of size, the concept is close to the final generation of the FD-series RX-7. It measures about 164.6 inches (13.7 feet) in length, 72.8 inches (6.1 feet) in width, and 45.3 inches in height. Curb weight is listed at roughly 3,200 pounds. Yes, that’s more than 220 pounds heavier than the FD RX-7, but by modern standards it remains competitive—for comparison, the new BMW M2 weighs about 3,800 pounds.

The Iconic SP’s exterior closely follows the Vision Study concept, with the main change being updated lighting. Otherwise, it’s classic Mazda sports-car design: a low hood, clean surfaces, an elegant coupe profile, curved side glass, and proportions that inevitably recall the RX-7 of the 1990s.

Inside, the cabin is minimalist but packed with modern tech. It features an automatic transmission selector and a central touchscreen displaying:

• regenerative braking indicators;

• launch control settings;

• active aerodynamics controls;

• G-force vectoring management;

• a 360-degree surround-view camera feed.

The driver display shows G-force data along with a mini map of the Monaco street circuit—a clear hint that the concept was designed with emotion and driving excitement in mind, not just environmental credentials.