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2020 Mazda RX-9 Allegedly Approved For Production, 400 PS Projected Output

Good news! Word has it the board of directors of the Mazda Motor Corporation has given the stamp of approval for the 2020 Mazda RX-9. Indeed, it seems the rotary will soldier on.
2020 Mazda RX-9 rendering 26 photos
Photo: Holiday Auto
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In fact, Mazda has been talking about a successor to the RX-8 since 2011. At the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda went a step further by introducing the RX-Vision Concept along with something called the SkyActiv-R rotary engine.

In March 2016, the USPTO published a patent titled Rotary Piston Engine Mounted on Vehicle, a packaging marvel that promises to be both powerful and efficient. All leads are pointing toward an all-new rotary sports car. And according to a recently published report from Holiday Auto, the action is go.

Here’s what our friend Google Translate makes of the first paragraph of the cited publication: “Development of [a] pure sports car equipped with the next-generation rotary engine - SKYACTIV-R, has been formally approved by the last board of directors.” Mazda owns the trademark for the RX-9 name, which means that yes, we’re in for a rear-wheel-drive rotary sports car.

The Japanese magazine highlights that the Mazda RX-9 will be previewed by a prototype at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, as a nod to 50 years since the Mazda Wankel engine entered production, then by the production-ready model at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. Excited? But wait, there’s more!

Holiday Auto has also learned that Mazda engineers will do their best to make the 2020 Mazda RX-9 will tip the scales at less than 1,300 kilograms (2,866 pounds), while output will be “around 400 PS (395 hp).” And yes, oomph is provided by 1.6 liters of turbo rotary madness, two 800 cc rotors and all.

Dear Mazda, we’re expecting great, great things from the RX-9 rear-wheel-drive sports car (or whatever it will be called), as well as the SkyActiv-R turbocharged rotary engine. Signed, everyone.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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