When Mazda revealed the Iconic SP a few years again, the overall consensus was that it was too good to stay only a idea. Fortunately the Japanese firm had been listening…
Idea vehicles are sometimes used to signpost a model’s future and infrequently seem as manufacturing variations that keep true to the unique design. Oftentimes this both attributable to regulatory necessities or bold designs that had been by no means actually supposed for manufacturing. When Mazda unveiled its Iconic SP idea on the 2023 Japan Mobility Present, it was only a idea, a touch, perhaps, of the Japanese producer’s intentions for the longer term.
A 12 months on from its debut although, Masashi Nakayama, Normal Supervisor at Mazda’s Design Division has revealed the other: “This idea isn’t just a type of empty present vehicles,” he mentioned, “It’s been designed with actual intent to show it right into a manufacturing mannequin within the not-so-distant future.”
Not like most ideas that target exterior and inside design initially, the Iconic SP was crafted round its dual-rotor rotary engine EV powertrain. “Standing by the automobile, it’s best to be capable of image what kind of engine can be housed beneath the bonnet,” mentioned Naohito Saga, Government Officer at Mazda’s R&D Technique Planning Division. “That’s how dedicated we had been to crafting this idea automobile. Within the growth course of, every little thing from the place of the doorways and tires to the size of the automobile, the seating place of the occupants and visibility was meticulously researched earlier than reaching the ultimate specs. It actually exhibits how a lot we needed to make it a automobile that manifests Mazda’s dedication for the longer term, particularly when it comes to sustainability and the longer term position of our rotary engine know-how.”
Circling the sq.
Underlining its dedication to this sort of engine and different hybrid know-how, Mazda reinstated its rotary engine growth group as a part of its powertrain know-how growth division initially of 2024. “For the final six years, rotary engine engineers have been a part of the engine growth group the place they engaged within the growth of state-of-the-art inner combustion engine features in addition to the last word enchancment in effectivity,” mentioned Ichiro Hirose, Director, Senior Managing Government Officer, and Chief Expertise Officer. “These engineers have broadened their perspective past the boundaries of engine programs and have skilled themselves to grasp model-based growth, which is considered one of Mazda’s engineering strengths. This time, 36 engineers will collect in a single group to make a breakthrough within the analysis and growth of rotary engines.”
Though Mazda’s final rotary-engined mannequin, the RX-8, was discontinued in 2012, the know-how was reintroduced in a brand new method in 2023. The Mazda MX-30 R-EV tackles a few of the key points with rotary engines by utilizing the engine as an on-board generator. Using the identical idea, the Iconic SP makes use of a dual-rotor system as an alternative of a single-rotor configuration just like the collection plug-in hybrid MX-30 R-EV. That is designed to extend energy output to 365bhp.
“The rotary engine might be very compact and really highly effective on the similar time,” mentioned Saga. “That’s one benefit, but additionally it may be powered by numerous kinds of fuels, and that might give us an edge within the race to discover a possible resolution for the way forward for mobility.” This mixture of traits makes it a super powertrain to make use of in a futuristic light-weight sports activities automobile.
Whereas the Iconic SP will incorporate an electrified powertrain, Mazda hopes to maximise its sustainability credentials by utilizing carbon impartial fuels akin to e-fuels, biofuels and hydrogen. In a super state of affairs, any further energy wanted to recharge the battery would even be from a sustainable supply to facilitate carbon impartial driving utilizing a combustion engine as a generator. Effectivity and emissions compliance contributed to the downfall of the RX-8, so repositioning the rotary engine as a generator may assist to offer better management over the engine’s output.
Carbon seize
Contemplating the challenges on the best way to its carbon impartial rotary engine hybrid powertrain objective, Mazda mentioned, “A prerequisite for engines to be utilized within the age of electrification is their emission compliance, and the rotary engine has the very best hurdle in comparison with different engines. Mazda will proceed to tackle the problem of growing for emission compliance of rotary engines, believing that it could contribute to Japanese manufacturing by opening the teachings discovered from this problem as applied sciences to be utilized not solely to Mazda engines, but additionally to engines from different corporations.”
Whereas Mazda is but to launch full particulars on the way it expects to bundle the Iconic SP’s dual-rotor rotary engine generator and EV powertrain, the compact nature of the engine and accompanying electrical elements is anticipated to permit for a extra versatile format. As soon as an acceptable battery dimension is set, the group will determine the place to put in the battery. Because the Iconic SP mannequin doesn’t have a drive shaft, there’s a better vary of choices accessible to mount the batteries. Mazda additionally anticipates technological progress will help optimum battery format and integration.
“We are going to proceed to supply prospects thrilling vehicles by honing inner combustion engines for the electrification period and increasing the multi-pathway prospects for attaining carbon neutrality,” mentioned Masahiro Moro, Consultant Director, President and CEO of Mazda Motor Company. “Given the rotary engine’s compatibility with electrification and carbon-neutral fuels, Mazda will proceed to develop the know-how via co-creation and competitors to make sure it could contribute broadly to society.”
All this ties in with Mazda’s purpose to realize its goal of “the extra you drive, the cleaner the air”. In addition to implementing carbon impartial fuels, the corporate needs to seize CO2 emitted within the combustion course of. Mazda is focusing on CO2 discount by 90% utilizing carbon impartial fuels and hoping to seize 20% of CO2 emitted to realize 10% CO2 damaging emissions. “Mazda is attempting to seize CO2 from the exhaust gasoline,” mentioned an organization assertion. “Because the focus of CO2 in exhaust gasoline is greater than that in air, it’s doable to seize CO2 effectively. Then again, the issue of the know-how required will increase, akin to decreasing the gasoline temperature to a temperature that’s simpler to seize. We’re at present engaged on primary purposeful exams primarily based on the model-based method to ascertain the know-how.”
BEV provide chain in Japan
Whereas Mazda plans forward for the way forward for rotary engines, the corporate can be securing provide chains to help a wider roll out of EVs. Panasonic Vitality is ready to provide Mazda with cylindrical lithium ion batteries from 2027 which Mazda will module-package in-house. To fulfill demand as soon as Mazda launches its first mannequin on a devoted EV platform, Panasonic Vitality plans to extend capability at its Suminoe and Kaizuka factories in Osaka, Japan.
Kazuo Tadanobu, President and CEO of Panasonic Vitality mentioned, “By means of this collaboration, we’re poised to drive the enlargement of BEV manufacturing and increase the competitiveness of Japan’s battery business. Our final objective is to foster a sustainable society, and we’re devoted to attaining this mission.”
By 2030, Panasonic Vitality is aiming to achieve Japanese manufacturing capability of 10GWh yearly working with Mazda. The challenge is designed to create a steady battery provide chain in Japan and improve the nation’s manufacturing presence on this business.
Masahiro Moro, President and CEO of Mazda, mentioned, “Mazda is dedicated to attaining carbon neutrality and is driving the transition to electrification via a spread of options that cater to our prospects’ wants and life. We are going to profit from the extremely environment friendly, excessive efficiency, and protected batteries equipped by Panasonic Vitality, and ship distinctive Mazda BEVs to our prospects that completely steadiness design, comfort, and driving vary.”
Fastback hatchback
Firstly of the 12 months Mazda unveiled its newest EV, the Mazda6e, on the Brussels Motor Present, signaling a major transformation of its fashionable mid-sized sedan for the European market.
The brand new EV gives two battery configurations: the smaller 68.8kWh model offers a spread of as much as 300 miles and might cost from 10 to 80 p.c in simply 22 minutes, including 145 miles of vary in a quarter-hour. Its electrical motor delivers 258 horsepower, enabling a 0-62 mph acceleration in 7.6 seconds. Whereas the bigger 80kWh battery extends the vary to 345 miles, with barely diminished efficiency, reaching 62 mph in 7.8 seconds. Each variations characteristic a rear-wheel drive format and produce 320 Newton-meters of torque.
Designed beneath Mazda’s ‘Kodo Soul of Movement’ philosophy, the automobile showcases a glossy exterior with easy flowing strains and daring options. Distinctive design components embrace frameless doorways, built-in door handles, and a singular entrance lighting signature that dynamically illuminates throughout charging.
“The Mazda6e is the automobile our sellers have been ready for,” mentioned Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda Motors UK. “It’s an actual assertion of intent for the longer term and illustrates how Mazda can deliver nice design, know-how, and elegance to battery electrical automobiles.”
The inside emphasizes sophistication and spaciousness, impressed by the Japanese idea of ‘Ma’, which interprets as a spot, house or pause. Certainly, you may wish to take a second to understand the panoramic roof, which floods the cabin with pure gentle, in addition to the cockpit contains a 14.6-inch touchscreen, 10.2-inch instrument set, and an augmented actuality head-up show.
Thomson additionally highlighted Mazda’s method to electrification. “Within the UK, we face distinctive challenges in balancing EV laws and shopper demand. We are going to introduce new fashions that match the tempo of precise shopper demand, providing a multi-solution method together with mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electrical applied sciences.”
With its 330-litre boot, 70-litre entrance storage, and thoroughly calibrated suspension by Mazda Analysis Europe in Frankfurt, the Mazda6e represents the model’s dedication to delivering an interesting electrical driving expertise tailor-made to European preferences.
The all-electric hatchback with a fastback saloon design is ready to reach in left-hand drive European markets this 12 months, whereas UK prospects should wait till the primary half of 2026.
