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 as a result of regulatory necessities or formidable 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 yr 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 stated, “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 in the beginning, the Iconic SP was crafted round its dual-rotor rotary engine EV powertrain. “Standing by the automobile, you need to have the ability to image what kind of engine could be housed beneath the bonnet,” stated Naohito Saga, Govt Officer at Mazda’s R&D Technique Planning Division. “That’s how dedicated we had been to crafting this idea automobile. Within the improvement course of, the whole lot from the place of the doorways and tires to the size of the car, the seating place of the occupants and visibility was meticulously researched earlier than reaching the ultimate specs. It actually exhibits how a lot we wished 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 expertise.”
Circling the sq.
Underlining its dedication to this sort of engine and different hybrid expertise, Mazda reinstated its rotary engine improvement group as a part of its powertrain expertise improvement division in the beginning of 2024. “For the final six years, rotary engine engineers have been a part of the engine improvement group the place they engaged within the improvement of state-of-the-art inner combustion engine features in addition to the final word enchancment in effectivity,” stated Ichiro Hirose, Director, Senior Managing Govt Officer, and Chief Know-how Officer. “These engineers have broadened their perspective past the boundaries of engine programs and have skilled themselves to grasp model-based improvement, 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 improvement of rotary engines.”
Though Mazda’s final rotary-engined mannequin, the RX-8, was discontinued in 2012, the expertise was reintroduced in a brand new manner in 2023. The Mazda MX-30 R-EV tackles a number of the key points with rotary engines through the use of 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 will be very compact and really highly effective on the identical time,” stated Saga. “That’s one benefit, but in addition it may be powered by numerous varieties of fuels, and that might give us an edge within the race to discover a possible resolution for the way forward for mobility.” This mix of traits makes it an excellent 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 through the use of carbon impartial fuels similar to e-fuels, biofuels and hydrogen. In an excellent situation, any extra 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 supply higher 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 stated, “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 creating for emission compliance of rotary engines, believing that it might contribute to Japanese manufacturing by opening the teachings discovered from this problem as applied sciences to be utilized not solely to Mazda engines, but in addition 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 predicted to permit for a extra versatile format. As soon as an appropriate battery dimension is decided, the staff will determine the place to put in the battery. For the reason that Iconic SP mannequin doesn’t have a drive shaft, there’s a higher vary of choices out there to mount the batteries. Mazda additionally anticipates technological progress will help optimum battery format and integration.
“We’ll proceed to supply clients thrilling vehicles by honing inner combustion engines for the electrification period and increasing the multi-pathway potentialities for reaching carbon neutrality,” stated 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 expertise via co-creation and competitors to make sure it might contribute broadly to society.”
All this ties in with Mazda’s intention 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 concentrating on CO2 discount by 90% utilizing carbon impartial fuels and hoping to seize 20% of CO2 emitted to realize 10% CO2 detrimental emissions. “Mazda is attempting to seize CO2 from the exhaust gasoline,” stated an organization assertion. “For the reason that focus of CO2 in exhaust gasoline is increased than that in air, it’s attainable to seize CO2 effectively. Alternatively, the issue of the expertise required will increase, similar to reducing the gasoline temperature to a temperature that’s simpler to seize. We’re at present engaged on fundamental useful exams based mostly on the model-based method to ascertain the expertise.”
BEV provide chain in Japan
Whereas Mazda plans forward for the way forward for rotary engines, the corporate can also be securing provide chains to help a wider roll out of EVs. Panasonic Power is ready to provide Mazda with cylindrical lithium ion batteries from 2027 which Mazda will module-package in-house. To satisfy demand as soon as Mazda launches its first mannequin on a devoted EV platform, Panasonic Power plans to extend capability at its Suminoe and Kaizuka factories in Osaka, Japan.
Kazuo Tadanobu, President and CEO of Panasonic Power stated, “By way of this collaboration, we’re poised to drive the enlargement of BEV manufacturing and enhance the competitiveness of Japan’s battery business. Our final objective is to foster a sustainable society, and we’re devoted to reaching this mission.”
By 2030, Panasonic Power is aiming to succeed in Japanese manufacturing capability of 10GWh yearly working with Mazda. The mission is designed to create a secure battery provide chain in Japan and enhance the nation’s manufacturing presence on this business.
Masahiro Moro, President and CEO of Mazda, stated, “Mazda is dedicated to reaching carbon neutrality and is driving the transition to electrification via a spread of options that cater to our clients’ wants and existence. We’ll take advantage of the extremely environment friendly, excessive efficiency, and protected batteries equipped by Panasonic Power, and ship distinctive Mazda BEVs to our clients that completely steadiness design, comfort, and driving vary.”
Fastback hatchback
Initially of the yr Mazda unveiled its newest EV, the Mazda6e, on the Brussels Motor Present, signaling a major transformation of its standard mid-sized sedan for the European market.
The brand new EV affords two battery configurations: the smaller 68.8kWh model supplies a spread of as much as 300 miles and may 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 car showcases a modern exterior with clean flowing traces and daring options. Distinctive design parts embrace frameless doorways, built-in door handles, and a novel entrance lighting signature that dynamically illuminates throughout charging.
“The Mazda6e is the automobile our sellers have been ready for,” stated 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, expertise, and magnificence to battery electrical autos.”
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’ll 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 attractive 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 yr, whereas UK clients should wait till the primary half of 2026.
