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Mazda RX-VISION major specifications
Seating capacity 2 persons
Overall length x width x height 4,389mm x 1,925mm x 1,160mm
Wheelbase 2,700mm Engine SKYACTIV-R
Powertrain Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Tires Front: 245/40R20 / Rear: 285/35R20
Rim width Front: 9.5J / Rear: 11J Mazda RX-VISIONrotary sports car concept
A vision of the future that harbors the soul of the Mazda
brand.
Mazda’s vision is to deliver true driving pleasure that will earn its cars a position as
the customer’s partner, and will enrich their motoring lives. That motivates Mazda
to continually defy convention and push the boundaries, building cars that match
its unique vision.
Mazda is the only carmaker in the world to successfully bring to market and
mass-produce the rotary engine. It is a symbol of the company’s tirelessly
challenging spirit and, as the soul of the Mazda brand, it represents the unique and
innovative technology that helped establish the brand and create a solid bond
between Mazda and its customers. That is why rotary engine research and
development continues today, even though there are no rotary-powered cars in
the current product lineup.
The Mazda RX-VISION rotary sports car concept introduces the next-generation
SKYACTIV-R rotary engine and Mazda’s vision of the ultimate in front-engine,
rear-wheel-drive sports car styling. Making its world premiere in Tokyo, the
RX-VISION represents a vision of the future that harbors the soul of the Mazda
brand.
One-of-a-kind FR proportions born of KODO design and the rotary engine
RX-VISION adopts the beautiful proportions of an FR sports car as could only be
envisioned by Mazda. The styling is modern but maintains a sense of lineage and
authenticity, encapsulating Mazda’s entire history of sports car design.
A low and wide body, short overhangs and taut cabin make the model immediately
recognizable as a sports car. These elements combine with the low overall height and
incredibly low hood made possible by the compact and lightweight next-generation
SKYACTIV-R rotary engine to create truly one-of-a-kind proportions.
The design aim was to shave away all but the essentials and give birth to the dynamic
tension and ambience of a machine that is all business. The fine craftsmanship of
Mazda’s renowned clay modelers creates reflections that convey motion and thereby
capture the spirit of the KODO design language without relying on character lines or other
such elements. It is an elegant and highly vital form that changes expression with the
slightest change of viewing angle.
A special red chosen for the body color features both energetic brightness and depth. It
helps bring out the luster and contrast between light and shadow that are present on the
RX-VISION.
Weaving some design motifs that reflect the history of Mazda sports cars into the design
of the RX-VISION expresses Mazda’s unchanging passion for the sports car.
For the interior, the design team pursued an ultimately simple yet powerful image, while
fusing it with the tactile feel of handcrafted work and a sophisticated mechanical
expression. Intricate instruments give the cockpit a true machine appeal, which in
combination with the simple instrument panel and genuine leather trim with a saddle motif
for the center tunnel create an interior atmosphere that speaks of handcrafted warmth and
quality yet maintains a sense of tension.
The next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine aims toward the future
Working to realize the ideal internal combustion engine, Mazda returned to the drawing
board and built the SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine and SKYACTIV-D diesel engine from
scratch.
Even after discontinuing production of the RX-8 in 2012, Mazda continued research and
development to further evolve the rotary engine. This next-generation rotary engine has
been christened SKYACTIV-R, a name intended to represent the company’s firm resolve
in applying the most advanced technologies and the same high aspirations that yielded
SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY towards achieving a breakthrough in addressing the three key
issues with rotary engines — fuel economy, emissions performance and reliability.
Mazda will never stop challenging to deliver new rotary engines that provide its unique
brand of driving pleasure.
IIRC, the CAFE initiative and the Euro 5 emissions standards were the nail in the RX8 coffin. They sell so many 40 mpg sedans now, maybe they can offset the low mpg rotary engine? Can they not sell the car in Europe, and it still be financially viable?
IIRC, the CAFE initiative and the Euro 5 emissions standards were the nail in the RX8 coffin. They sell so many 40 mpg sedans now, maybe they can offset the low mpg rotary engine? Can they not sell the car in Europe, and it still be financially viable?
If they ask a ridiculously high, extremely profitable price that rich Westerners, Russians and other Eastern market buyers are willing to pay, they might.
No matter, I know it'll be out of my price range regardless.
I also won't believe it until Mazda makes it official.
Well the 16x was at least partially completed nearly 10 years ago to meet emissions standards of the time, and they do have a new RWD platform.......... I'd be happy to see a new, possibly 4wd mazdaspeed 3, a new rx would just be gravy. Mazda has the lowest average c02 emissions in most markets and its high time they change that!
I guess I have either 2yrs or 5yrs to save my pennies for the next RX. After 43 years owning and driving them, I will have to also get the next one, but I am keeping my 2008 40th Anniversary RX8 !
Now would be the perfect time for Mazda to capitalize on a decent powered, affordable sports car. The Z is on its way out and the Toyobaru twins probably won't last much longer without a power bump. With the MX-5 and a new rotary car, Mazda could have the affordable sports car market all to themselves.
Honestly, I hadn't even thought of that but I bet that car would be pretty bad *** with a rotary in it. A few hundred lbs lighter than the RX-8 and about 30hp more than the current FR-S.
Now's the perfect time Mazda. There's plenty of room and demand in the affordable sports car segment. The current problem is when all you have are the Toyobaru twins without competition there's absolutely no incentive for them to make their cars better (and we can already see they have no intention of doing so) which is a big part of why sales of those cars continue to struggle. If Mazda were to put out a car that is a step up from the twins, you immediately force them to make changes and if they don't, Mazda probably gets a good chunk of new business from people who want a new car they feel is an upgrade.
Honestly a hybrid version fixes low torque of the rotary. I wouldn't be opposed to a high revving hybrid light weight Rx. However, as everyone else stated, will believe it when I see it
The 16X as it was years ago was considerably cleaner than ever.
The 16X is MUCH lighter than a 13B
The 16X takes no more space than a 13B
The 16X makes much better torque numbers
A new chassis can be VERY light as Mazda has proven with the ND MX-5
The 16X has already shown drastically better fuel mileage than the 13B MSP-RE
The case to come to market is not too bad at this time
I'll believe a new production rotary that ISN'T a hybrid when monkeys fly out of my butt. As much as I love rotary, I just can't see it working in the current economic/environmental/political climate.
Honestly (and I know this is heresy), I'd rather see Mazda put the MS3 and/or CX-9 engines in the old '8 chassis and call it the MX-8. It's not like they haven't already done 95% of the engineering on both the engines and the chassis. In fact, the V6 option should be silly cheap to engineer: just steal it from the Mustang (Mustang V6 and CX-9 V6 are both Ford Cylone V6 engines). Just update the interior and exterior a bit, crash them into a few concrete walls and start the MSRP at $30k.
The rotary engine is Mazda's soul and the biggest reason they still exist after nearly 100 years in business and nearly 50 years since the original rotary Cosmos. Mazda's next sports car will be a rotary, or it won't happen at all.
The rotary engine is Mazda's soul and the biggest reason they still exist after nearly 100 years in business and nearly 50 years since the original rotary Cosmos. Mazda's next sports car will be a rotary, or it won't happen at all.
While I admire and share your enthusiasm, reality is the opposite of what you say. The rotary has often been a hindrance to Toyo Cork Kogyo a.k.a. Mazda's success.
Early rotaries are unreliable (every time they make a big change like twin turbos, side-exhausts), all rotaries have horrible economy and filthy emissions. Materials science still isn't where it needs to be to fix those problems. After Mazda stopped sniffing glue and started only using rotaries in compact, light-weight sports cars, it still nearly killed them when they tried to go upmarket with the glorious FD. Ford and the Miata saved their ***.
I would love to see another rotary sports car. A true 2600 lb, RWD, 300 HP Mazda Rotary with the same "Kodo" design language as the MAZDA6 and priced like the 370Z would own the market and the track. I'll believe they are making another when I can plunk my cash money down on one.
I sincerely think that without some amazing breakthroughs in materials or a fundamental design change (DKM anyone?) the Wankel rotary will never again be the prime mover of any car, sports or otherwise. (APU for an electric seems probable however.)
Last edited by wankelbolt; 09-21-2015 at 04:28 PM.
I disagree with your rewriting of the history of the rotary. You are the one who is ignoring the reality of history
I have been part of it,as a witness and active participant for 43 years ,and each successive rotary model has been better than the previous in some ways. That is why I have kept buying and driving and enjoying them for over a million rotary miles so far, without a single rotary engine failure, street or track. My Mazda rotaries have been every bit as reliable and well-built as my many piston engine cars, Mazda and other brands.
What attracted Americans to Mazda in the first place was the rotary engine. What sustained Mazda through financial troubles and the fuel crisis of the 70's was the aura the brand had from the incomparable racing success of rotary Mazdas from day one into the new millineum.
Yes Mazda needed to sell those piston cars over the years to survive, but what got people into those showrooms was that uniqueness of being the only brand to be a success with the rotary. Now Skyactiv cars success is allowing Mazda to raise the money for a possible new rotary sports car.
Mazda officials understand the significant part of their history that is owed to the success of the rotary engine, even if you don't. If they bring out another rotary sports car , it will be well-thought out and engineered to move up the ladder again to meet better fuel economy and emission goals for the rotary.
You can naysay, but I see you own a RX8. Why ?
I owned an FD and what helped kill it in the US market was high insurance rates and a small interior that did not comfortably fit most American drivers. The Porsches that it competed with in performance and price were roomier. In Japan they still sold and improved them until 2002. Or did you forgot that part of Mazda history also ?
I will be ready and willing to invest in another Mazda rotary and continue to enjoy reliable cars into the future. And BTW I have owned hot piston Mazdas too like a modified Mazdaspeed3 GT. But a rotary sports car is something much more special to my heart and soul. And I think the Mazda engineers and Execs. feel the same way !!
Your dewy-eyed portrayal of Mazda and the Wankel may have been true in the past but it doesn't mesh with modern reality. The fact of the matter is that if Mazda continue to do well, they will do so DESPITE the rotary as primary mechanical motive power not because of it.
Mazda's focus has shifted towards making cars that are affordable, easy to live with while still being fun to drive. I don't see the rotary ever being affordable and easy to live with.
09-15-2015, 04:36 PM
Mazda RX-VISION Concepts
