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Rear Wing Patent Is A Sort Of Teaser For The 2020 Mazda RX-9

Ever since the rumor mill started churning out ifs and buts about the successor of the RX-8, Mazda didn’t fail to add fuel to the fire. With the help of patent filings, the Japanese automaker appears to be slowly and unofficially tease the rotary-powered sports coupe, which is expected to get a deployable rear wing.
Mazda RX-9 rear wing patent 11 photos
Photo: USPTO
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On this occasion, we’ll focus on patent applications 20170274943 and 20170274944. Filed with the USPTO on October 20, 2016, the patents comprise of technical drawings of the car’s rear-three quarter panel, rear bumper, taillights, and the aforementioned rear wing. The active spoiler hides in a recess in the taillights when not in use. At speed, the wing extends both outward and upward instead of simply rising to provide increased downforce.

While the deployable wing is impressive in its own rights, take a look at the round-shaped taillights and the recess where they’re located. Those are direct nods to the RX-7 FD, which is probably the most celebrated rotary sports car Mazda ever produced. In comparison to the grand tourer-ish RX-8, the RX-7 FD is all about handling. That said, there’s no mistaking the RX-9 will pride itself on a combination of GT credentials and sporty characteristics.

The long-anticipated RX-9 will go official no later than 2020, the year that sees Mazda celebrate its centenary. Founded in 1920 by Jujiro Matsuda as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, Ltd., Mazda was inspired by German automaker NSU to develop the Wankel engine. The first production-ready Mazda with a rotary is the Cosmo, which started production in 1967.

Previewed by the RX-Vision Concept in 2015, the RX-9 will usher in a second design study later this month at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Not much is known about RX-Vision Concept version 2.0, though Mazda is expected to open up on details concerning the powertrain. Based on current information, the most likely culprit is a hybridized 1.6-liter rotary mill known as the SkyActiv-R, boasting two rotors and turbocharging for good measure.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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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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