Mazda confirms Wankel-powered flagship coupe for 2017
Mazda is developing a new rotary-engined sports car to succeed the RX-7 and RX-8, Auto Express has learned. Bigger and more powerful than the Mazda MX-5, the car is aimed at a 2017 launch, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Cosmo Sport, the first Mazda powered by a Wankel rotary engine.
Mazda Engineers are working to address the Wankel engine’s inherent flaws â€" high fuel and oil consumption and meagre torque â€" without resorting to turbocharging.
The answers are being sought through Mazda’s ‘SkyActiv’ engineering philosophy, which focuses on shedding weight and using high engine compression ratios to boost power and efficiency from revvy, naturally aspirated engines. It’s a technique we’ve already seen used to great effect in the current Mazda 3 and 6.
It’s understood that Mazda is targeting a 300bhp output for the reborn rotary engine, up from 238bhp in the most potent RX-8. Mazda could opt for a compact, low-slung RX-7-style coupe bodystyle instead of the Mazda RX-8’s four-door configuration, in an effort to slash weight.
The RX-8, discontinued in 2010, weighed in at around 1,310kg â€" 120kg more than a modern Toyota GT 86. Mazda’s new flagship will stick to rear-wheel drive.
We hear that an extended version of the new MX-5’s rear-drive platform is being used to develop the car, beefed up to cope with the lofty power output. Familiar six-speed manual and five-speed auto gearboxes will be similarly honed for the new high-performance application.
Mazda has a rich history of rotary-powered cars, starting with the Cosmo Sport of the late 60s, which developed up to 129bhp and could hit 120mph.
More famously, Mazda had the RX-7 that was sold in the UK through the 90s and the RX-8 that went on to replace it. Mazda also won the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1991 with the rotary-powered 787B â€" the only time a Japanese manufacturer has won the event.
Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mazda/87430/mazda-rx-8-set-to-return-in-2017
Great stuff. Wonder what it\'s going to look like???
I so hope it\'s true, but we\'ve had so many "announcements" of an impending new RX that I won\'t believe anything until there is a formal Mazda statement and a "real" prototype on show to the public!
Fingers crossed though.....;)
Quote from: Casey;880145Fingers crossed though.....;)
If its anything to go by, Autoexpress got it right when they announced what turned out to be the new RX-8 back in 2001 (from memory)
What is the highest compression they can make a rotary ? Will this car have the new engine in it too ? Should be all aluminium engine too and hopefully more of the body too for getting the weight down !
Shaun
Probably the 16x engine. 11-1 might be pushing the compression beyond the capabilities of pump fuel in the uk
you mean to say i am doing all this rebuild at will take me to 2017 to complete when all i have to do is wait and i can buy a new one off the show room floor :Giggle:Giggle
I noticed that too.
And I think I saw some picture somewhere. Actually it looked like MX-5/Miata. Thats might be because its based on same platform
I´m sure that they will put that 16X on it. Why make big effort and job to develop brand new engine and not to use it.
I agree with Clive. There is some much detailed info about that car, that it has to be true. And thats good news for us REtarded ;)
Another rotary convertible would be nice!
Ya, I agree with Boosted
Im thinking lotus evora like..but forget the 2+2 2 seats...just the basics... 300 bhp. Stowable hard top.winner.
Mazda aren\'t going make another convertable when they have the mx5 are they? That would mean they would compete against themselves for the soft top market
Yeah! how about T bar like the mk1 mk2 mr2\'s been a while since we had a new car with tbar roof.
How about a new rotary but with a retro rx3 look? Nope, we can dream and imagine what we want them to do but they have to look at criteria. Money invested-sales-profit. I would think if they offered a rotary at 300hp and a piston alternative for the lovers of the car bit not a rotor??
Quote from: Grant Monkhouse;880213How about a new rotary but with a retro rx3 look? Nope, we can dream and imagine what we want them to do but they have to look at criteria. Money invested-sales-profit. I would think if they offered a rotary at 300hp and a piston alternative for the lovers of the car bit not a rotor??
Thats not a bad idea...
i.e mx5 and mx5r so current mx5 with piston lump them mx5r with 300bhp rotary! Same car different engine.
Retro rx3 look would be awesome _=
But I think that Grant might be on to something. Current trend is to make different variations to one platform. So we might see piston, rotary, hardtop, cabriolet version. Its not bad idea...
But still I think that Mazda wants to keep RX series on its own series.
I cant wait :)
When the rx8 came out all of the running gear, from what I heard, bolts straight up Into the mx5 that came out at the same time, as mazda intended to offer the mx5 with the renesis motor but pulled out towards production time.
Has everyone seen mad mikes new drift machine? Mx5 - 1000kg - 1000hp? Oh yes!!!
Really? Didnt know that...
He has new drift car? Again??? MX-5?
Hmm, I`m not so sure about MX-5 in high speed drifting. Short wheel base. And not so wide either...
They\'re making it very wide:):D
The RX8 was out a couple of years before the Mk III MX5 but you can bolt RX8 running gear into a Mk III MX5 chassis. A few people have and they\'re supposed to be quite a lot of fun!
All \'INTERNET\' rubbish, this story has been copied and pasted word for word with ZERO truth and Zero MMC Japan confirmation over the past week.
Just look at part of this fantasy \'\'Familiar six-speed manual and five-speed auto gearboxes will be similarly honed for the new high-performance application.\'\'
Mazda has not used a 5 speed Auto, the current NC MX-5 and last RX-8\'s from 2006 are 6 speed.
Please don\'t believe this BS, there is still no sound business case for ANY all new RE ONLY Mazda. A 28 MPG just wont sell.
Quote from: Grant Monkhouse;880230When the rx8 came out all of the running gear, from what I heard, bolts straight up Into the mx5 that came out at the same time, as mazda intended to offer the mx5 with the renesis motor but pulled out towards production time.
Has everyone seen mad mikes new drift machine? Mx5 - 1000kg - 1000hp? Oh yes!!!
Huh, RX-8 was born in 2003, NC or MK3 was 2005.
And yes many parts will swap OK and many won\'t without a lot of cutting/welding.
Quote from: Casey;880145I so hope it\'s true, but we\'ve had so many "announcements" of an impending new RX that I won\'t believe anything until there is a formal Mazda statement and a "real" prototype on show to the public!
Fingers crossed though.....;)
Agree, the only REAL news about the rotary future was from current Japan CEO about 8 months ago who said unless there is a case and to sell 100,000 units a year then it wont happen.
I would love to see an all new RE ONLY, but I just cant see how it is viable, let alone all the new fuel/emission standards for 2017.
Boo hiss! Lol..we where only having fun. Hybrid hydrogen is the only viable use i see for the future.