ASH8

Rotary engine to live on under the bonnet of a new Mazda coupe to replace RX-8

30 November 2011
By MARTON PETTENDY in TOKYO

MAZDA’S trademark rotary engine will not be relegated to being a mere range-extending power generator for a future eco-car from Mazda, but appears set to power an all-new rotary sports coupe to replace the RX-8.

The dramatic change in fortune for the future of Mazda’s unique Wankel engine, the current version of which will be phased out along with the RX-8 coupe next year, was outlined to GoAuto at a pre-Tokyo motor show function last night.

Mazda Motor Corporation chief executive Takashi Yamanouchi has been part of Mazda about as long as the rotary engine, which debuted in the Familia Rotary Coupe/Mazda R100 in 1968, and has vowed the company will continue development of the pistonless engine as long as he remained CEO.

Mazda has openly stated it is developing a larger-capacity new-generation rotary based on its ground-breaking new SkyActiv powertrain technology, and continues to trial hydrogen-fuelled RX-8 vehicles in Norway, where the renewable fuel is abundant.

However, recent reports have led to speculation that difficulties in meeting future emissions targets could see the rotary engine confined to duty in an extended-range plug-in electric vehicle that uses a combustion engine to recharge its battery like GM’s Volt, in the same way Audi has employed the Wankel engine in one of its e-tron concepts.

“The rotary engine is a symbol for those of us at Mazda,” said Mr Yamanouchi recently. “I am hoping to revive it together with our new eco technology.”

Mazda used its current rotary engine in the Japan-only Premacy HRE hydrogen-hybrid lease car and remains committed to releasing its first petrol-electric production hybrid – likely to be based on the Mazda3 – to government and business lease customers in Japan during 2013, but that model will incorporate Toyota’s parallel Hybrid Synergy Drive system from the Prius.

When asked whether Mazda’s new rotary engine will be restricted to use solely as a range-extender, director of research and development Hirotaka Kanazawa told GoAuto: “No. Of course we haven’t given up.

“We are exploring its potential as a range-extender as well as hydrogen and our rotary engineers are also working on SkyActiv rotary.

“Don’t forget hydrogen rotary. The strength of rotary is compact size, light weight, high power and less vibration, so capitalising on these strengths rotary engine will match very well with stylish and lightweight car.”

When asked if that vehicle could be a coupe to rival the likes of Toyota’s upcoming 86 and Subaru’s version, the BRZ, Mr Kanazawa said: “Hmmm. I welcome that competitors will enter that segment and give stimulus to that segment to invigorate it.

“We think we are good in that area, so if that segment or market grows then it will help us to enter into that segment.

“We haven’t reached the planning phase yet. Our first priority is to introduce the next MX-5 as soon as possible.”


http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257957007F5EC7

ASH8

Strong rumors here that Mazda WILL blend the New ND MX-5 with a Rotary Engined model also.

So there could be a new MX-5 and RX-5...like the good old days of the 70's?

Mazda are listening to this forum!...

foo77

i knew they wouldn't let us down... "Long Live The Rotary Engine!!!" and the countdown begins

REsuperD

The BRZ and Toyota 86 are really making a splash, and really captured my heart. The last time I felt this way about a new car was with the RX-8. This Toyobaru car is the kind of car Mazda makes. Right now their closest competitor is the Miata, which is close but the +2 seating really makes it that much more of a justification for purchase. Mazda needs to come up w/ a competitor, all the better if it's a rotary. I'm glad to hear that they're openly discussing it.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

It will likely take 3 years to come to market. Look for a almost production prototype at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2013.
In that time, Toybaru will be deeply entrenched in that market and others will likely enter too. RWD Honda?

ASH8

Toybaru is not a convertible...yet.

wcs

iTrader: (2)

If they do a rotary coupe I hope it's more RX7'ish than MX5'ish in design

I've just never liked the MX5 (Miata)

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I'm thinking more RX2/3 ish.

bose

iTrader: (5)

This.

If it's more like this I will buy a new rotary, otherwise I'm lookin' for a classic.

PaPaBear

Hey! I am 69. Hurry up, will ya!

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Well, I knew the rotary would not die (I believed the Mazda rep at last years Texas 8). But if Honda enters the segment with a RWD 4 seater sports coupe then I will be back in a Honda. There has been rumors of a new prelude based on the S2000 for a few years now.

tcole6

^ that's disappointing to hear. For me Honda &/or Toyota == "Boring".

If I can afford the next rotary car I will be driving it!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

1st post =

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

The S2000 is a lot of things but boring is not one of them. I love my 8 and I have devoted many years and a **** ton of money to it so it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

But, I also miss the idea of throwing a decent amount of boost at and engine all day long and not having to worry about it imploding. I understand the rotary and I love it but Honda engines are just great at making great power and keeping their reliability.

Roidz

Well that's some good news to start my day. Even if it's news that isn't anywhere close to set in stone still good news tho.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah it's really exciting. I have been holding to my 8 for a while now. luckily nothing else in the market sparks my interest so hopefully whatever replaces the 8 will be a worthy replacement for me.

viprez586

iTrader: (5)

I just interviewed at Mazda and asked the owner what's the plans for the rotary. He said Mazda is putting it on the back burner for now because of lack of several issues : reliability, the market, fuel economy,etc.

He said Mazda holds the rotary near and dear to they're heart though, its just gonna be some time before they pick it back up and make it have a significant impact.

Also realize the government's federally mandated laws are getting more and more strict with fuel economy and emission requirements.
If it wasn't for those two major issues I'm sure Mazda would have a field day with the rotary design and go for broke with fuel economy not being such a touchy subject.
Power > Fuel economy.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Dealers don't know ****. In 09' I was looking at buying a series II RX-8 and when I asked about the R3 model none of them had any clue what I was talking about and the salesmen was insistent that I meant a GT model. A week later they had an R3 on the showroom floor. Keep in mind that this is at the largest Mazda dealer in Texas volume wise.

MattMPS

Edit

ZumnRx8

" If you build it, they will come " isn't that how it goes?

RX3/4 styling - YES

Rotary in MX-5 - Maybe, but most signs point to No.

RX7/9 - Get me my check book.

RXeligion

^ If they build it I will come...

I would be pretty amped if they released a rotary MX-5. It would be like completing the cycle (back to the RX7 'vert) I have faith in Mazda to only put the rotary in beautiful cars.

ZumnRx8

^ except the RX7 vert was way more attractive imho, and even still is. I know, I have one

Spin9k

+1 Mostly 'cause I live in the freaking cold Northeast! (and I need a place for track tires )

Let's hope it stays that way ... world doesn't need another MX-5 and Mazda needs to keep selling boatloads of them as sole supplier.

Uhhh? Tall 3 box sedans? Let's hope they don't rotarise them again.

On tombstone, "He'd be spinning in his grave .. if only Mazda had built another rotary in time." Know how you feel, and also feeling the years go by.

Now we're talking. My '87 Prelude (European version 1.6L) was ***** of fun and oh so low to the ground. That's the only other car beside the RX-8 and RX-2 that I've really had a thing for!

Agree'd. Nothing, not anything, said in that interview indicates Mazda has anything other than a wish, perhaps to one day, somehow, to revive the rotary. As in how does this headline.... "Rotary engine to live on under the bonnet of a new Mazda coupe to replace RX-8"

...come from this? When asked whether Mazda’s new rotary engine will be restricted to use solely as a range-extender, director of research and development Hirotaka Kanazawa told GoAuto: “No. Of course we haven’t given up." .. or anything else said. Little sensationalism there me thinks.

It sounded more like Japanese talk for, "We haven't given up on avoiding killing off the rotary ... it being so dear to all our hearts ... but the odds aren't looking really good."

Roidz

^^ Yeah no kidding. I think people are just hopeful and are turning that into something more than what it is, but still exciting to think about.

tcole6

I haven't driven an s2000, so I certainly can make no comment about it from a drivers perspective. The styling certainly does not get me excited.

Given that, they both (Honda and Toyota) have certainly made some high performing engines, but the total package of engine, suspension (or I guess more accurately "ride quality") and styling has yet to ever come close to enticing me to buy one.

Of course that's just my .02, which is worth just about face value.