The Mazda Iconic SP sports car concept has been confirmed for production, with the company’s design manager Masashi Nakayama confirming to Car Design News that it was designed with real intent to be a production model in a “not-so-distant future.”
We had the opportunity to spend time around this wide and low-slung concept car earlier this week, and here are our observations relevant to the production vehicle.
1. Twin Rotor Rotary EV powertrain
The model is the fruit of our pursuit of marrying electrification with Mazda uniqueness, an iconic expression of “joy of driving” for the future.
Masahiro Moro, CEO of Mazda Motor, at the Multi-Solution Briefing on March 18, 2025
The Mazda Iconic SP concept is powered by a twin-rotor system which the company is testing for production vehicles, particularly aimed at the North American market. We understand that the new engine will not drive the wheels, and will play the role of a generator for future range-extenders.
The powerful rotary engine, producing 370 PS (365 hp), can supply the necessary output to charge a larger battery, meeting the demands of models in the CX-90’s size class.
2. Viola Red Color
Mazda developed the Viola Red body color exclusively for the Iconic SP Concept. It was created with 27 layers of red-tinted clear coat over a white base. According to the designers, the name originates from two ideas: the vibrancy of the color resembles the beauty of a fresh red flower, and the dramatic proportions of the car echo the curves of the viola music instrument.
While Mazda hasn’t announced commercial plans, we expect this bright shade to follow deeper shades of red like the Artisan Red Premium and Soul Red Crystal Metallic into production.
3. Indigo Blue Interior
For the minimalist interior, designers went with “Indigo Blue” to create a sharp contrast with the red body. The seats are covered in a 3D-knitted fabric derived from indigo-dyed cotton thread, the material that’s used in denim, a material Hiroshima is known for. The white parts are made from recycled oyster shells, and we also noticed brushed aluminum and red stitching on the fabrics.
The company offers interior options like black, white, quilted tan, and even red nappa leather in its current models in the U.S., and Indigo Blue, if produced, would be unique in the lineup.
4. Distinctive Lighting Elements
Mazda has not said that the Iconic SP concept carries the design traits of its future lineup, but given the response that the show car generated, it’s fairly certain that it will influence the next-gen Mazdas. We noticed its circular tail lights, which reference Mazda’s historic rotary-powered models, in a retro-futuristic fashion. The shape of slender pop-up LED headlight module looked similar to the units we spotted in the next-gen CX-5 prototypes.
5. Aero Efficiency & Functional Features
The Iconic SP’s exterior styling is also functional. We observed that its air intakes and vents, while enhancing the look, also optimize airflow. The integrated door handles and the sculpted fenders complement the elegant design. There is a degree of practicality in this performance-driven design, most of which can translate to production.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
