Mazda to revive the RX-7 spirit with rotary powered RX-9?

Mazda to revive the RX-7 spirit with rotary powered RX-9?
This is the Shinari, the first concept to feature Mazda’s new Kodo design language

We know for a fact that Mazda is sticking with the rotary engine, which the company sees as a vital part of its identity. A new sports car is also due for the Zoom-Zoom brand, as the RX-8 is about to enter its eighth year in production. The company showed off its latest Shinari four-door coupe concept few months ago, but now a report from Autocar UK points in the direction of an “RX-9”.

It was said that Mazda new-generation rotary engine is already in a late stage of development, and that this “16X” motor uses an electric supercharger and is bigger in capacity than the current RX-8 engine. 16X will be friendlier than the Renesis, which has a big appetite for unleaded and engine oil and does not meet Euro 5 standards.

The RX-9 will be a spiritual successor to the sexy RX-7, which we last saw in 2002. No four-doors or suicide doors apparently, as this will be a more focussed two-door coupe riding on the platform of the next-gen MX-5. It will have a kerb weight of around 1,250 kg, which isn’t much for over 300 bhp to haul.

The report adds that Mazda is still thinking whether to let the 16X engine run on petrol and sold in volume or become a flagship clean-air project running on hydrogen. We sure hope it’s the former they’re leaning to!

Source

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • sakoz on Nov 04, 2010 at 9:50 am

    1st… wohoooo rx9!

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  • gaman on Nov 04, 2010 at 9:52 am

    the curve look like mazda furai.

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  • to be frank, rx-8 without rotary engine is the car to buy.

    rotary engine is the weak/unique part of this car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Vincent on Nov 04, 2010 at 11:27 am

      1.3 with 230 PS for rotary engine. Further tuning can make it to 260 PS…

      If to put NA engine, you need atleast 2.5 engine capacity to get that 230 PS.

      If to add a turbo, you still need 2.0 engine right?

      So, they are target at nich market.

      Fairlady is a good buy but the 3.5 engine is killing in roadtax…RM4K a year!!!

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  • m4xspeed on Nov 04, 2010 at 10:20 am

    The only mazda series which is a head turner i.e RX series. Keep it going Mazda !!

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  • This is really smoking hot! If Mazda sticks to this design I bet it will do well. Mazda is always a good car just that most people would go for Toyota or Honda as their top priority!

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    • Danny Tan (Member) on Nov 04, 2010 at 12:12 pm

      The picture above is not the “RX-9” but the recent Shinari concept, the first concept to feature Mazda’s new Kodo design language.

      Sorry guys if I didn’t make it clear, my bad!

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      • cyful on Nov 15, 2010 at 2:48 pm

        i believe shinari is codename before production and rx9 in the production name for this car….

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  • John Doe on Nov 04, 2010 at 11:02 am

    Mazda would be able to sell MORE volume of the RX if they just use a conventional engine. Rotary traits and service issues has already turn off a lot of buyers

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  • Tungau A/L Punat (original people) on Nov 04, 2010 at 11:37 am

    They still pround of brand Jd…even ride dugung or city nohaliza..

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  • alldisc on Nov 04, 2010 at 11:52 am

    RX8 is brilliant

    but this RX9 is simply superb!!

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  • tanamera on Nov 04, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    Kill the environment foe rotary engine.

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  • pcphobic on Nov 04, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    Speaking as an owner of a RX-8, I will explain why I bought the RX-8:
    1) Unique 4 door coupe with the suicide door concept (always gets people attention)
    2) Sexy curves and aggressive wheel arches/bulges (this is personal opinion)
    3) High revving and smoothness which only a rotary engine can give
    4) Weight savings and low center of gravity from the use of a 1.3 litre rotary engine.
    5) 1.3 litre engine road tax (RM70 a year)

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    • sukasuki on Nov 04, 2010 at 4:53 pm

      how bout d maintenance?

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      • redwings on Nov 04, 2010 at 8:04 pm

        pcphobic,

        Correct me if I am wrong… the Renesis Rotary Engine is just abit sensitive and you just need to get a good mechanic to take care it…

        There are many RX7 and RX8 specialist mechanics in Msia.

        And Manual transmission give less trouble…

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      • JustmeRX on Nov 04, 2010 at 11:04 pm

        cheaper than Toyota and Honda on normal service and it could use Mineral Engine Oil which is recommended by Mazda for Rotary. People always say high maintainance for RX cars, if you learn how a Rotary works and how to take care of it… rev it daily for example, it will keep you problem free…

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      • Tan Tee Lim on Nov 05, 2010 at 2:14 am

        For people who (know what they are buying and still) buy the RX-8, maintenance is not an issue. Its almost like dating a “high-maintenance” hot chick. Its expensive but it has its rewards. ;D

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      • Zidane on Nov 05, 2010 at 6:56 am

        He didn’t buy it for the maintenance

        mhahahahahahaha

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  • M-mealin on Nov 04, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    hot n sexy design…rotary engine? nah…not 4 me…yet d power is zoom2 but it still kill the environment…

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  • dragster on Nov 04, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    wow wonderfuuuuuulllllll design……tats the best design i saw from MAZDA.

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  • shiftSpank on Nov 04, 2010 at 5:17 pm

    Wanted to get an RX-8 but after plenty of research decided against it. Just couldn’t find enough resource on reliable workshops to ease ownership. I don’t think the appeal of the low road tax can offset the amount you pay for fuel annually or worth the mental tightrope you cross every time you let it loose like the clappers. But I have to admit, you can hardly find such a provocative design for the price. I read that rotary engines work well with low octane fuel too.

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  • rumplestiltskin on Nov 04, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    Forgive me but why does the design reminds me of a hyundai coupe? probably when seeing more pictures of this shinari, I may be proven wrong.

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  • it looks like muscle car

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  • Naz@AE111 on Nov 04, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    the RX is coming back baby!!! wooooohooooo!!!

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  • Phantom_Works on Nov 04, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    i fantasize this car with 4 rotor rotary engine like scoot custom and raptor germany did. sure gonna be orgasm. Only few people can appreciate rotary in malaysia. many malaysian don’t even want to understand this engine, that’s why they tend to blaming rotary engine without trying it. Many Australian and puerto rican appreciate this engine. once you in the rotary world, you don’t even adore piston anymore

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  • Potato on Nov 05, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    The Spirit of the RX-7 died when RX-8 came out. RX-9 will just be another successor to RX-8.

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  • strada on Nov 06, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    Rx8 to me is okay. A refined car, but a bit too refined. The rx7 is purer, more communicative, and raw when you need it to. I hope the rx9 can take a leaf or two from the 7.

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  • apooo samy on Nov 08, 2010 at 10:55 am

    RX if no power is like pussy cat…i still like the old RX7…more power, good handling, rare and now is a legend….

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  • Zorro on Nov 09, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    yeah, mazda rx series definately a very attrative car. good job
    i really think mazda car is the best among all other jap cars. no doubt

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