While we are fast approaching Halloween, over in Japan, there's still time for a different kind of feast – an automotive one. Over there, all the 'saints' are present too, at the inaugural edition of the Japan Mobility Show.
Formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show for almost seven decades, the event has been transformed by JAMA (the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association) into something a bit more than your average car show. It still involves lots and lots of automobiles, but also mobility devices and it allows all Japanese carmakers – big and small – to shine brightly on the red carpet's spotlight.
Long story short, Mazda was also chief among them with the arrival of the updated 2024 MX-5 Miata roadster, the third iteration of the fourth (ND) generation following the refreshments in 2018 and 2021. It's as subtle as ever, though also poised to bring many improvements – both visual and technical – across the board. But, oddly enough, that wasn't the star attraction at the booth during the press days (October 25 and 26) plus the subsequent VIP invitation-only day.
We can also place an early wager that the general public will herald the Mazda Iconic SP concept as the high point on their to-see list at the company's exhibition. Coming off the line of Vision design studies, this prototype might seem like something that's halfway between the MX-5 (as it's larger) and the equally iconic RX-7 and RX-8 series since it also uses a rotary engine. But it's also a product of the times we live in, given the EV powertrain with the Wankel mill acting as a range extender.
As such, it is pretty evident that if Mazda ever decides to put it into series production, it could preview either the fifth generation (NE) of the legendary MX-5 Miata or, concurrently, it could also bring about the rebirth of the RX series with a powertrain adapted to the new realities of the EV lifestyle. Right now, no one knows what Mazda will do, save for its corner office head honchos. Unfortunately, we don't have a direct line to them.
Instead, we can always allow the imaginative realm of digital car content creators to take over and present their vision. For example, this virtual artist, known as Theottle on social media, has resorted to CGI slicing and dicing the new Iconic SP show car during his latest behind-the-scenes making-of video (embedded below) into the next-gen MX-5 Miata as if the next RX isn't even a possibility.
As it turns out, Mazda is probably keeping its options as wide as possible – the pixel master didn't have much trouble reskinning the Iconic SP concept on a current MX-5 Miata. He just reworked the proportions and modified some subtle details, and voila – the Iconic SP morphed with absolute ease into an unofficial next-gen (NE) MX-5 Miata. Of course, translating the rotary REV powertrain into a smaller footprint is something else entirely, right?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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