Mazda has a bad habit of teasing fans with beautiful concept cars that it never actually intends to produce. Remember the Furai? What about the RX-Vision? The list goes on.
When the company debuted the Iconic SP concept at the Japan Mobility Show in October of 2023, we thought it would be much of the same—yet another stunning concept car relegated to a museum somewhere, never destined for production. But apparently, that’s not the case.
Rumblings from Mazda headquarters in Fuchu have all but confirmed a new sports car built alongside the Miata. Similar to icons like the RX-7 and RX-8 before it, this new one could also pack a rotary powertrain, while visually, it should look similar to the Iconic SP.
We could see Mazda’s new production sports car as early as next year; otherwise, details are still slim. Until it officially makes its debut, here’s what we do know about Mazda’s upcoming coupe.
What Will It Be Called?
For Mazda fans, the name of its new sports car is very important. The iconic RX-7 gave way to the RX-8, which means the next logical step—you’d think—is the RX-9. Given that this new sports car will likely also pack a rotary engine, it would only make sense. Mazda even admits that the Iconic SP concept would make a “good successor” to the RX-7.
That said, we wouldn’t put it past Mazda to miss an easy layup when it comes to naming its next sports car. We don’t necessarily think the clunky Iconic SP nameplate will make it to production, but there’s always a chance Mazda decides to go in an entirely new direction this time.
One thing for know for sure is that it won’t be called “Cosmo.”
What Will Mazda’s New Sports Car Look Like?
Mazda Rotary Sports Car Rendering by Motor1
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
The Iconic SP will heavily inspire the look of Mazda’s next sports car. At 164.5 inches long and 72.8 inches wide, the original concept was 10.4 inches longer and 4.7 inches wider than the ND-generation Miata. Even though Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama said the company could theoretically shrink the concept down to the size of a Miata, the Iconic SP was meant to preview a larger sports car.
With that in mind, expect many of the concept’s cues—like the sleek profile, rounded taillights, and angular grille—to likely carry over from concept to production. The pop-up headlights, sadly, likely won’t make it. Patent filings from 2024 even hint at a carbon fiber chassis, but that would likely make this sports car too expensive.
Interestingly, Mazda also suggested that the new CX-5 SUV could heavily inspire the automaker’s future product designs. The stacked headlights and rear “MAZDA” wordmark, specifically, should find their way onto future products. Our rendering attempts to predict what Mazda’s future sports car could look like with those details in mind.
What Engine Will Mazda’s New Sports Car Have?
All signs point to a rotary engine under the hood of Mazda’s new sports car. That said, we still don’t know exactly what kind of rotary engine it may be. But again, we look to the Iconic SP concept for inspiration.
The Iconic SP concept produced 365 horsepower from an electric motor with a dual-rotor combustion engine serving as a generator to recharge the battery. Mazda executives noted that the concept had “top notch” performance and that driving it would put “a smile on your face.”
Mazda has repeatedly confirmed the dual-rotor powertrain for America, initially planning to bring it Stateside on the MX-30 SUV (which still hasn’t happened). In 2024, Mazda President and CEO Katsuhiro Moro confirmed that Mazda had put together a dedicated team of engineers responsible exclusively for rotary engine development. Moro said:
‘In order to break through the challenges of the carbon-neutral era, rotary engine engineers who have acquired a broad technical perspective that transcends the boundaries of engine types and cutting-edge internal combustion engine technology, and who have been trained as users of model-based development, will reunite.
It is not so easy, but I hope we can take a step forward into a new chapter of insatiable challenge.’
The alternative setup would have the rotary engine drive the wheels, with some form of hybrid assist (rather than the other way around). Mazda is reportedly considering both options. Rear-wheel drive and a manual are all but confirmed. As for a fully electric version: Mazda says it won’t happen.
Will It Replace the Miata?
Absolutely not. Mazda has already said that its new sports car won’t replace the beloved Miata. As with the Iconic SP concept, the production version will be larger and more powerful than the Miata, and sit above the convertible sports car in the lineup.
How Much Will Mazda’s New Sports Car Cost?
One of the biggest questions surrounding Mazda’s new sports car is pricing. With the company making a push upmarket, will this new coupe be a premium product? Or will it be priced to compete with alternatives like the Nissan Z and outgoing Toyota Supra? Right now, it’s unclear.
If we had to hazard a guess, Mazda’s new sports car will likely start at around $50,000. That would make it pricier than the Nissan Z ($44,110), but in line with the Toyota Supra when it was new.
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
When Will Mazda’s New Sports Car Debut?
Mazda hasn’t confirmed when its new sports car will debut, but we haven’t seen any prototypes just yet. We expect to see it sometime late in 2026 with an on-sale date of sometime in 2027.
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