Concept New rotary-engined Mazda sports car concept - first picture

[sanpt7777]

I feel the rotary does have advantages.
It's compact, and very power dense sort of saying.
It makes more power for the given RPMs too, same power as an engine double its displacement.

 

[Giannis]

I feel the rotary does have advantages.
It's compact, and very power dense sort of saying.
It makes more power for the given RPMs too, same power as an engine double its displacement.

At the same time, fuel consumption goes through the roof and descent torque is nowhere to be found.

That said, I've only had a brief experience with an RX-8 and it was massive, massive fun that engine.

 

[Pedro Alexandre]

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mazda-rx-vision-concept/#slide-3679312

 

[Z4ever]

Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled the Mazda RX-VISION today at the Tokyo Motor Show. The sports car concept is powered by a next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine, the unconventional technology that is perhaps the most compelling symbol of the carmaker’s challenger spirit.

An exquisitely proportioned front-engine, rear-wheel drive model, the RX-VISION represents a “vision” of the future that could only come from Mazda. And one that countless fans of the brand around the world hope will become a reality.

Rotary engines are unique in that they generate power through the rotational motion of triangular rotors (unlike the reciprocating pistons in conventional automotive engines). Overcoming numerous technical difficulties, Mazda succeeded in commercialising rotary power, first in the Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S in 1967 and then in several other models. The most successful of these was the Mazda RX-7, the most-sold rotary car ever with more than 800,000 produced between 1978 and 2002.

Continually striving to improve output, fuel economy and durability, Mazda was the only company to ever win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a rotary-powered race car, a feat it managed in 1991 in the Mazda 787B.

Although not currently mass-producing any rotary models, Mazda never ceased its R&D activities. The carmaker chose the SKYACTIV-R label for the next-generation rotary engine to express its determination to continue delivering its customers convention-defying technology and an uncompromising SKYACTIV experience behind the wheel.

“I look forward to talking with you more about this vision we revealed here today at the Mazda stand,” said Mazda’s Representative Director, President and CEO Masamichi Kogai. “Mazda will continue to take on new challenges in an effort to build a special bond with our customers and become their one and only brand.” The Tokyo Motor Show opens to the public from 30 October to 8 November.

 

[Monster]

Dammm, what a surprisingly pure design, classic front engine rear wheel drive proportions. The interior design is a surprise too, it stay true to the minimalistic design theme by eschewing any digital displays/screens.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Simply put, I love it.

 

[Porsche Guy]

Surely Mazda's prettiest donor chassis for an American pushrod V8 to date.

 

[Rolf]

Wow what a beautiful looking sports coupe, it has wonderful pure design features and great looking interior.

 

[PanterroR]

One word - stunning!!!

So simple, yet effin' amazing! well done, Mazda!

 

[Giannis]

Simply amazing! Well done Mazda!

 

[KiwiRob]

I am too scratching my head over why Mazda still believe in the rotary engine. Part of me thinks its because the rotary engine symbolises the brand as much as the Miata does.

It's Mazdas USP, nobody else has them, so they will stick with it until it's legislated out of existance.

Its a pity they couldn't do something sexy and make it a quad rotor.

 

[Rolf]

It's Mazdas USP, nobody else has them, so they will stick with it until it's legislated out of existance.

Its a pity they couldn't do something sexy and make it a quad rotor.

I admire Mazda for sticking with Rotary engines even though other manufacturers have long since given up on them. The sound of a screaming 9500rpm rotary engine is something else. I used to go to stock car racing with a friend in high school and there were a number of old 1980's RX7's and also Mazda Capellas with heavily modified screaming rotary engines that sounded out of this world when they were hitting 9500rpm.

 

[Centurion]

Dammm, what a surprisingly pure design, classic front engine rear wheel drive proportions. The interior design is a surprise too, it stay true to the minimalistic design theme by eschewing any digital displays/screens.

It's exceptionally pure isn't it?

Now show us the engine and give us the specs Mazda. You know what we're after.

 

[martinbo]

It's magnificent.

 

[Z4ever]

 

[Z4ever]

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[Cashmere]

Love the proportions! I really hope this is headed to production.

 

[Giannis]

Once again, stunning!

A true, pure sportscar, given the dimensions and the motor.

I'm waiting for the specs now.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Lots of Amg Gt Vision, Aston Martin Vulcan and even Amg GT in there, but holy cow, it does look sensational. Mazda just seems they can't do anything wrong: 2,3,6, Miata, CX-3, CX-5 all absolutely winners. The very best mainstream car manufacturer right now.

 

[Z4ever]

Automotive News
October 28, 2015 - 3:02 pm ET

TOKYO -- For the last eight years, a team of 50 engineers has slaved away on Mazda Motor Corp.’s signature rotary engine, seeking a breakthrough for the unique design Mazda had championed for decades, almost alone in its enthusiasm.

The engine, code-named 16X, still hasn’t reached the performance targets that would make it suitable to power a successor for Mazda’s iconic RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars. Yet the small Japanese automaker refuses to give up on the technology despite its limited r&d funds, Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai told reporters Tuesday.

“We have a dream that one day, this design with a rotary engine will achieve a level that customers will accept,” Kogai said through an interpreter. “We have rotary engine fans,” he added, “and they will not be satisfied if we have the same exact rotary engine from before.”

Mazda unveiled a two-seat coupe concept called the RX-Vision at the Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday to illustrate the dream. It uses a modified version of the 16X engine developed in the mid-2000s and shown in Mazda’s 2007 Taiki concept.

If the rotary engine improves enough for the coupe to go to production, the car likely would use the underpinnings of the MX-5 Miata roadster. With its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration, the MX-5 chassis is “close to perfection” for a sports car, Kogai said, though it would need to be stiffer to handle the more powerful rotary engine.

Mazda has no timetable for introducing a sports car using the rotary engine, partly out of a reluctance to put pressure on its engineers to solve the problems of rotary engines. Historically, they have been less fuel efficient and less reliable than traditional gasoline engines, with higher emissions.

Kiyoshi Fujiwara, Mazda’s r&d chief, said the team working on the rotary engine project is small but fiercely dedicated.

“These 50 engineers want to develop the rotary engine, therefore they joined Mazda,” Fujiwara said. “If I stop the rotary engine, probably they want to leave.”