Mazda’s electrification plans have been a little all over the map, as the automaker released a super-short-range EV and then stopped selling it before re-releasing it with a rotary range extender. The company recently displayed an exciting electric concept, but it retains the range extender, a complete oddity in today’s world.
The Iconic SP concept is slightly larger than a Miata but has all the right lines to be a sleek, attractive electric sports car. Mazda said the car has a 50/50 weight distribution and a two-rotor system that can utilize a range of fuels, including hydrogen. The car will also be able to generate electricity for external devices with a vehicle-to-load system.
Uniqueness aside, this concept’s buzzy marketing names obscure the fact that this would be a very unique vehicle if it made it to market. The U.S. doesn’t currently have range-extended EVs on sale from other automakers, though we’ve seen patent applications from some that suggest they could be on the horizon.
At this point, it’s hard to tell if Mazda is serious about bringing this concept to market, but it’s hard to imagine a future for the automaker without a small, fun sports car like the Miata. Electrification is a challenging nut to crack for all companies, especially small automakers like Mazda, so it will be interesting to see how it moves forward.
[Image: Mazda]
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