According to AutoGuide, the Hiroshima-based automaker allegedly submitted an application to Japan’s Patent Office for use of the MX-6 moniker on October 18th under the “automobiles and parts and accessories thereof” category.

While this could be seen as nothing but a way for Mazda to secure naming rights without actually using the designation for future products, it has nonetheless sparked speculation that a future sports car, despite constant denials by senior company figures, might well be on the cards.

Initially used to denote a coupe version of the 626 sold between 1987 and 1992, the MX-6 eventually went on to become a model of its own right with the unveiling of the second generation model in 1991, which used the same platform as the 626 and Ford Telstar with motivation coming from a 2.5-litre V6 engine. Production of this model, sold in South Africa under the auspices of the Samcor Motor Group, came to an end in 1997 with no successor being introduced.