Mazda RX-Vision Concept: The Rotary Engine is Back!
Mazda went down in the history books as the first automaker to make widespread use of rotary engines. Older readers will recall the 1967 Cosmo Sport, the first sports car from Mazda to feature this technology. Younger readers will probably think of the RX-7 and the more recent RX-8, which sold from 2003 to 2012.
Many people were sad to see the RX line go, but what they didn’t know was that Mazda never stopped improving its Wankel engine (named after its inventor Felix Wankel). Unlike conventional engines that use pistons, rotary engines produce power via a rotating triangular rotor.
Mazda has just unveiled the RX-Vision Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, reigniting hopes that the manufacturer will once again offer a sports car with a rotary engine. Since it bears the RX name, we can expect that they’ll either resurrect the RX-7 or RX-8, or if they’re inclined to issue a new moniker, it could be an RX-9. It’s hard to predict the future, but it’s clear that Mazda is doing this for a reason. After all, Mazda will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its rotary engine in 2017, and the company’s 100th anniversary in 2020. The timing would be perfect!
SKYACTIV-R
Today marked the world premiere of the RX-Vision Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. It uses the MX-5’s architecture and showcases the manufacturer’s latest advancements in developing sports cars with front engines and rear-wheel drive. With a long, slender hood, the model comes with a new-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine, but they’re keeping mum about its technical specs for the time being.
One thing we do know, however, is that the engineers seized the opportunity to correct some of the problems that plagued this engine in the past, such as oil consumption and low torque output at low revs—and they did it without turbochargers. The rotary engine has never been very fuel efficient, so Mazda added SKYACTIV technology to reduce the weight of the vehicle and the engine, while maximizing engine output with an exceptionally high compression ratio.
Even though the concept car seats just two, it’s actually bigger than the MX-5. The KODO design language is reflected in the vehicle’s exterior with a lowered body, oversized fenders, stretched hood and shorter overhangs.
Mazda RX-VISION
Number of seats: 2
Length: 4,389 mm
Width: 1,925 mm
Height: 1,160 mm
Wheelbase: 2,700 mm
Engine: SKYACTIV-R
Front tires: 245/40R20
Rear tires: 285/35R20
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