Hey ASH8 I feel your pain with gas over $5 in Aussie land and EU, but even despite recent huge gas price rises in the USA, gas speculators don't see us going quite that high here.

As the USA is Mazda's single largest market country outside Japan, they can sell a petroleum-only rotary car here if it has 300hp AND gets 20% better economy than the RX8. Remember other car manufacturers from around the world still sell gas cars in the USA that have comparable gas mileage to what Mazda proposes for their next rotary RX9. Yes these manufacturers will offer hybrids and diesels, as will Mazda have to offer, but they will still sell gas-powered performance sedans and sports cars here. Don't expect to see corvettes and mustangs , camaros and chargers become hybrid overnight. Porsche is working on a hybrid sports car, but they will still probably sell a gas 911 here.

Maybe in Australia gas rotary sports cars won't be available or saleable, but Mazda is banking on selling one in the USA. The Australian market is not the same as the American market.

 

Apparently he does not get Mazda magazine (they produce) which shows the Shinari concept, and states Mazda is Developing the next RX. There is no date on production yet as they want to ensure that the car meets/exceeds standards. Mazda uses the Rotary as a niche and with out it they are just a good car company not an innovative company. PS Audi is planning to use a Rotary in their Hybrid A-1 E TRON I think the cars called? GM also has speculation that they might pick up a rotary for the Volt as it will allow them a better weight balance and take up less room.

ROTARY is not dead just in slow production thanks to a bad economy as it was in the USA before 2003-2004. I for one will be buying the new RX when ever it debuts (will not trade in my 8 and hope to get a 7 with in the year)

 

Zero11534 You are so right on the money here. I had also previously heard about the Audi use of a rotary in their upcoming hybrid. Seems a natural for weight and balance in the Volt also. I heard the Audi will be a single rotor. Probably a single rotor in the Volt too.

I also will buy the new RX when it comes out, while keeping my 40th anniversary RX8.

 

^ Die hard RX owner right there. RX cars only garage.

 

just imagine, what the rotary could have been if all automakers invested time and money in to R&D , the engine would be even more awesome then it already is.. Iol okay i'm having a moment brb gonna guy buy some gas

 

^ r u done yet?

 

@gwilliams6 , I just read up more on the E-Tron from Audi (I don't know if it's ok to post Audi links here) but, they are claiming it will use a single rotor motor that will spin at higher rpm used for charging of the electrical batteries in the car, thanks to it's incredible weight and size (MPG is no concern as the fuel tank will be rather small) Meaning mostly electrical driven. I think that is the major direction of the rotary for most auto makers. I for one don't think Mazda is backing down from the Rotary any times soon as we saw the same issue in the mid' 70's.Look for a Dual Fuel RX or an Electrical Hybrid in the future I am sure of it.

Mazda is always tight lid on their products, as we all saw what happened when they boast before one comes out (aka the RX8 HP/TQ rating's) consumer cried horrid about it until Mazda had to refund and change the standard. If that had been any other car it would have been a simple here is the correction. One final point is the NEW Mazda Rotary race car, if they were done with the Rotary's they wouldn't dump so much into the technology's for the car, they would build a piston motor for the auto instead. I for one Love my RX8 and despite it's short comings is one of the best handling 4dr sports cars on the market (oh wait prob one of the only ones)

 

I saw the etron at CES and spent some time with it and an Audi engineer that was on hand. we have threads here from before talking about the design of the rotor(LDR) and who is producing it etc.

 

You all know it doesnt matter anyways the world is coming to an end at the end of 2012 anyways. Enjoy.

 

 

^ hahaha

 

Okay, latest teaser (From 2 different credible sources):

Mazda is making more than 300 hp from the 1600 cc rotary and they are still dealing with emissions obstacles.

Rumor has it that they are still intending to bring us a new car. I would guess that we are not but months away from some announcement.

Paul.

 

thanks for the news , Paul...

for who have the possibility to give in its hands the latest number of Japanese Magazine "Best Car" (the issue is 2011 5/26) on the first page there is a PS of shinari w/freestyle doors and the title: "scoop, latest info on RX-7, RX-8 and Roadster"

maybe there is something interesting inside.



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Paul,

does this "I would guess that we are not but months away from some announcement."

mean that some announcement is heading this way in a few months? I'm having difficulty with the english, sorry.

 

Don't we all. Even native speakers of the language.

 

Just a guess based upon things I've heard and felt comfortable to share. I'm as excited and anxious as everyone else (Probably more so).

Paul.

 

300, nice. but emissions problems, so 250 with the emissions reflash

thanks for the update.

 

I can't wait!!!!

I wonder if there is still this assist i hear about, like a rotary hybrid?

 

hey...if it was a legit 250hp and maybe a couple hundred lbs lighter with better mpg, I'd likely still take it. But if they are serious about having 300+hp, I'd be willing to bet a best case scenario would have it about the same weight as the current 8, if not a little heavier.

Just out of curiosity, what was the weight and hp of the MazdaSpeed Miata?

 

hot damn, I love you Paul.

 

Not really banned. Mazda were not allowed to sell any new RX-8's when the (ridiculous) Euro VI emmissions rules came in last year.
Its the same for Honda and their Type-R. What I cannot understand is how Aston Martin, Ferrari etc. get around this?

The R3 is unfortunately a rare sight on the roads here in the UK. Any post 2006 RX-8 in the UK costs over £400 a year to tax couple that with the cost of servicing, fuel and the increased cost of living people would rather go out and buy a little eco hatchback.. such a shame.

Still. I have a (dreaded?) 2004 RX-8 which means I pay a little over £200 a year for road tax! Nobody will make me part with her. No other car has made me smile so much! Lets hope Mazda keep the spirit of driving alive.

 

Thank you Paul, really man. Thank you for the update.. It sounds good so far (300hbp) . Let out our boys at Mazda keep working on that 1600 until it's ready.

 

Mazda Rx-8 was euro IV compliant since its launch in Europe (at that time was the highest certification available).

from 1/1/11 is MANDATORY to be Euro V compliant for new cars.Rx-8 is "out of businness"in Eu because is expensive and complicated to adapt renesis to €5.

I don't know for AM, but Ferrari's line-up is Euro V compliant.

An eventually new rotary (ex. 16-x) is necessary to be Euro-VI compliant to remain in sale a decent number of years (euro VI is MANDATORY 1/1/2015)

 

what sup with all the emission rules?

I mean sure I like cleaner air but again politicians are not scientist and their reason for "omg better emission" is strictly for "votes" ...

 

emission rules (included this Euro-Sh*t that i have illustrated) is probably one of the biggest obstacle (not the onlyone maybe) to see shortly a new rotary powered car into Mazda lineup