Following its debut at the Japan Mobility Show last year, Mazda is showing their latest sports car concept at home
The Mazda Iconic SP concept was the undisputed star of last year’s Japan Mobility Show and it’s still making waves nearly six months after its debut. That’s clear today as a simple post about the concept quickly went viral.
On X, Mazda announced the car is now on display at their Hiroshima headquarters and invited visitors to come take a look. While the company said they’re not sure how long the concept will be part of the exhibit, the post announcing it received more than 400,000 views and 6,700 likes.
The most interesting photo shows a team of three people carefully unloading the concept off a flatbed truck. This was easier said than done as the car’s low slung design results in minimal clearance. However, at the end of the day, the concept was successfully moved into the building, cleaned up, and put on display.
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Pictures: Mazda
As a refresher, the Iconic SP was billed as a “new type of compact sports car” that combines eco-friendliness with simplicity and the sheer joy of driving. Mazda hasn’t gone into many specifics, but the concept has a sleek Viola Red exterior with hidden headlights and a slender grille. They’re joined by curvaceous bodywork, butterfly doors, and muscular rear haunches.
The sporty styling continues inside as there’s a minimalist cabin with a flat-bottom steering wheel, a freestanding digital instrument cluster, and a small infotainment system. The model also has eco-friendly upholstery and a sizable center tunnel.
More: Mazda Says Rotary-Powered Iconic SP Concept Could Be Shrunk Down To MX-5 Size
Powertrain details are hazy, but Mazda has previously said the car has a “two-rotor rotary EV system” with a battery pack and a rotary engine that can “burn various fuels such as hydrogen.” This gives the concept an output of 365 hp (272 kW / 370 PS). The model also has a vehicle to load function, which can be used to provide juice during camping trips or power outages.
The concept tips the scales at 3,197 lbs (1,450 kg) and has a weight distribution of around 50:50. The car is expected to hint at the next-generation MX-5, but it’s roughly 10.5 inches (267 mm) longer than the current model and has an additional 11 inches (279 mm) between the wheels.