autoevolution
 

Mazda Still Believes in the Rotary Engine Design

Unveiled in 2015 then confirmed and denied too many times by Mazda’s upper echelons as the RX-9 rotary sports car, the RX-Vision is a bite-the-back-of-your-hand beautiful concept. Four years since it was revealed, the concept is back in a tribute video titled “rotary’s 50th anniversary.”
Mazda RX-Vision concept and Cosmo 42 photos
Photo: screenshot from YouTube
Mazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda RX-Vision ConceptMazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda Door Support Structure of Automotive Vehicle (rumored RX-9 rotary sports car)Mazda patents rotary engine for plug-in hybrid range extenderMazda patents rotary engine for plug-in hybrid range extenderMazda patents rotary engine for plug-in hybrid range extenderMazda patents rotary engine for plug-in hybrid range extenderSkyActiv-R rotary engine patent imageSkyActiv-R rotary engine patent imageSkyActiv-R rotary engine patent imageSkyActiv-R rotary engine patent imageSkyActiv-R rotary engine patent imageSkyActiv-R rotary engine patent imageSkyActiv-R rotary engine patent image
Uploaded on YouTube by the automaker’s Japanese division, the 12-minute clip starts with a selection of rotary sports cars. The Cosmo coupe leads the list because it served as the halo model for Mazda in 1967, packing 982 cubic centimeters and 110 ponies.

As you know, “Mazda engineers brought the commercial success to the unique engine design invented by Felix Wankel.” After acquiring the rights to the rotary powerplant, Mazda rolled out the 40A single-rotor prototype to work its way around the chatter marks in the housing and heavy oil consumption. The L8A followed suit in a pre-production Cosmo with two rotors, then the 0810 in the Cosmo Series 1 perfected the design.

The discontinuation of the RX-8 in 2012 spelled trouble for rotary enthusiasts, but Mazda never actually gave up on developing the Wankel engine. The RX-Vision mentioned in the opening paragraph debuted the SkyActiv-R series, a family of powerplants that will premiere in series-production models as a range extender. The MX-30 compact crossover introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show is expected to get this engine in 2020 for the 2021 model year.

“Mazda would not have existed without the rotary engine, and without the Mazda, the rotary engine would not have been produced for nearly 50 years,” reads the video’s description. Taking into consideration that the 787 is the only racing car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans without a reciprocating design, there’s no denying the rotary is of utmost important to Mazda lore.

The question is, will that RX-9 sports car ever happen? There are conflicting reports in regard to this nameplate, but on a related note, there’s an inline-six in the pipeline in combination with a rear-wheel-drive platform. On the other hand, the endless patent filings for the RX-9 and SkyActiv-R lead us to believe that the RX-Vision will be put into production in the nearest of futures.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
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.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories