When Mazda unveiled the RX-Vision at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, there was plenty of hype that the automaker will introduce a new rotary engine-powered sports car in the same breath as the RX-8 and the iconic RX-7. However, Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai, in an interview with Automotive News, stated that the company has no plans to build a sports car larger than the Miata.
Therefore, those hoping for a RX-9 will be left disappointed, but that doesn’t mean the end of the rotary engine (dubbed SkyActiv-R). “If we were to restart production of the rotary engine again, we need to make sure it wouldn’t be just short-lived. We need it to meet future emissions regulations. We are still conducting our R&D activity to overcome any issues we have with emissions and fuel efficiency,” said Kogai.
However, said engine would function more as a range extender instead of the main power plant, which will better serve Mazda’s push towards electrification. The company has no plans for an electric sports car with a range extender, said Kogai, who added that the MX-5 “might be a more exhilarating experience” instead.
Currently, Mazda is working on a new generation of SkyActiv technologies that will introduced by March 2019. Electrification will be part of its future, with an electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid expected to be on the cards, backed by the automaker’s collaborative efforts with Toyota.
GALLERY: Mazda RX-Vision concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Only one reason. Rotary will not pass any exhaust emission regulations in the world, except maybe Malaysia. Not in Japan, not in Europe or USA. Why Mazda came up with skyactive?
You can’t retrofit the Skyactive technology inside a rotary engine since it doesn’t have normal piston like their other cars. That’s why they came up with Skyactive-R.
Reason Mazda created skyactive technology (petrol engine, chassis, diesel engine, torque converter gearbox) is because to be a leader in efficiency and CO2 emission. Not to replace rotary. But they are very much aware that rotary still has high carbon footprint and no point trying to beat the figures. Its just too high.
The Rotary with live on.
Once the world moves on to hydrogen as fuel, that is.
The Rx8 Hydrogen RE concept was well ahead of its time.
RIP mighty rotaries. Might as well make it into REEV with a smaller rotary as range extender to the EV motors.