Guys,
We just posted an article over at RotaryNews regarding the future of the 8 and Rotary product line from Mazda.

Do I hear an RX-3 anyone?!?!

Check it out and leave us your feedback:

http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=158

Thanks all,

-Bern

That looks to me like a photoshop job encorporating and RX-3 and a Protege. Just like in that song:
"RX-3 and Protoge DNA just won't splice":D

ohhhhhhhhhhh, an RX-3 would absolutely turn the compact world on it's head... wow...

Without a doubt an RX-3 and a Rotary Truck would be most kewl.

However, I would be very surprised if Mazda produced a small sedan or wagon with a rotary engine right after the revamp of the 626 (now Mazda6) and the new protege5.

I also understand that mazda is developing the Mazda Washu, a six seat family/sport suv hybrid.

I would also be very surprised to see a rotary powered truck, as the small truck market has gone down hill since the SUV's have hit the market. I believe it would be a gamble to start up a new truck line at this time.

Now the RX-7 is most likely going into production, based on rumors, and the small amounts of information trickling out of Mazda and Ford. I would expect nothing less then a great performance car with a large price tag.

http://renesis.ca/8.gif

I thought Mazda said that they would not put the rotary engine in anytype of vehicle except sports cars. To me that means no
RX-3 and no rotary pick-up. To me that makes sense. The rotary engine lends itself to certain applications better than other a pick-up truck to me is definetly not one of those with such low torque numbers and such a large rpm range.

Originally posted by fritts
I thought Mazda said that they would not put the rotary engine in anytype of vehicle except sports cars. To me that means no
RX-3 and no rotary pick-up. To me that makes sense. The rotary engine lends itself to certain applications better than other a pick-up truck to me is definetly not one of those with such low torque numbers and such a large rpm range.

No no, RX3 would be sport-compact, and I can see it being VERY popular.

Well we'll have to see how the car fares on fuel economy. Who wants to pay for a compact that gets 25 MPG on highway? My 626 gets better mileage than that. They might have to lower displacement. .8 Liter anyone? lol.

if Mazda detuned the RENESIS some, and in a smaller and lighter FWD application, the RENESIS could probably put up consumption numbers to compete with Toyota and Honda a little bit, but freakin' destroy them with the pedal down...

and yeah, i suppose i can concede that a Celica or a Prelude is a sports car, kinda, sorta... as long as that justifies putting a RENESIS into the Protege, i'm down.

If a new RX-3 could put up fuel economy numbers in the range of the Neon SRT-4's it would do just fine. Sport compact buyers that are in it more for the "sport" would have no problem trading a bit of fuel economy to have the only RWD car in its class.

Mazda will not be formulating any FWD rotary applications - they would need a completely new clean-sheet transmission and chassis design. No FWD hardware out there will accomodate the Renesis.

An RX-3 would be beneficial to Mazda in the long run. It would introduce a younger generation to rotaries, just like you said. Mazda is in a good position in that people who were relatively young grew up with the, and my have owned a FC, and couldn't quite afford the FD. Ten years latter many people are in a position to buy a $30,000 car and are willing to buy it because of the rotary engine. An RX-3 would do the same thing and hopefully increase the longevity of the rotary.

By the way, is there any way I could get a larger picture of the blue car at the top of the screen? It looks like a blue Mazdaspeed Protege, but I'm not sure. You could either post it here or email it to me at cueball1029@hotmail.com.

http://images.rotarynews.com//images/Rotoy-RX-3.jpg

I was thinking that; If Mazda were to offer a MX-3 but with AWD like the GTX of 88,89.

It could be the next world rally winning machine and a definate plus for Mazda :D

Maybe they are listening, keep your fingers crossed...