A successor to the Mazda RX-7 appears a step closer, with production of the road-going version of the Iconic SP concept potentially commencing as early as next year. 

In an interview with MotorTrend, Mazda Chief Technical Officer, Ryuichi Umeshita named the Iconic SP as a suitable successor to the RX-7. 

“You can expect Iconic SP will be a good successor for RX-7,” Umeshita told the US publication. 

Umeshita reportedly went on to say production could begin as early as 2026 although this would be dependent on a viable business case. 

The Mazda Iconic SP concept was initially unveiled at the Japanese Mobility Show in 2023, posed as a rotary-powered range-extender hybrid with an expected power output of around 270kW. 

Should this powertrain make it to production, it would not be the first rotary used by Mazda in a range extender setup – those honours go to the MX-30 small SUV – however this powertrain never made it to Australia. 

Another powertrain option – in which the rotary would be used as the main power source – is also being considered by Mazda. 

Slated as an RX-7 successor, an Iconic SP production car would fill the two-door rotary sports car-shaped gap left empty since production of the FD-generation RX-7 ended in 2002. 

Rotary-powered Mazdas have been absent from the Australian market since RX-8 production ended in 2012. 

While a name for the production car is yet to be announced, the Cosmo namesake – the name of Mazda’s original rotary sports car – has been ruled out, Umeshita told MotorTrend. 

The Iconic SP has also reportedly been ruled out as a replacement for the MX-5, instead co-existing with the smaller sports car as was the case when it was sold alongside the RX-7 and RX-8. 

Further details on the production version of the Mazda Iconic SP are yet to be announced.