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

[Z4ever]

Following the unveil, R and D boss Kiyoshi Fujiwara and global design boss Ikuo Maeda talked at length to Auto Express about the RX-Vision concept.

How feasible is the design of this car?

IM – It’s a pure design exercise, so the details haven’t been studied too greatly. But it includes elements that are adaptable to future models.

What do you want to achieve with the car’s design?

IM – My biggest desire is to have an alluring design with a simple form, and also proportions that give the user a feeling of the performance.

Which car would a rotary sports car compete with in terms of performance?

KF - If we are ever able to mass produce the car, then maybe the [Porsche] Cayman. But we would like to make the car lighter [than the Cayman]. Just like we have made the MX-5 a light car, we would like to do the same with this car as well.

How would you do this?

KF – If you look at the history of Mazda, we have always introduced new technologies in sports cars. For instance the RX-8 had aluminum doors and new joining technologies for the aluminium and steel. If we ever introduce this new model, there will be new technologies.

IM – There are many potential materials, but carbon fibre will be very important in the future. And we have used a considerable amount of aluminium in the MX-5 and we have the tech to use this.

Why is the RX so important?

IM – Because we have a strong feeling that if we were to drop it, rotary technology would disappear from the world. So it’s important we have a mindset to cherish it.

What is its link to previous rotary-engined Mazdas?

IM – Even though it is on the large side, it is an ideal to always be a lightweight sports car. That is why we wanted to create a tense, taut design.

What targets would you have for fuel economy and emissions?

KF – Without any form of electrification, it should be at the same level as normal [non SkyActiv petrol] passenger cars. At this moment we are not working on a rotary hybrid system.

Will this be a turbocharged engine?

KF – We believe a turbocharger is one of the opportunities we would look at for the rotary.

What is the interior like?

IM – The interior philosophy is the same as the exterior – try to reduce the number of elements to the optimum. It tries to express the tension of the design through using a lot of leather, so we used leather that is stiff like that used on saddles. The controls are simplistic.

Would you consider a convertible?

IM – We would definitely like to consider a soft-top.

Could there be a rotary race car?

IM – That is something we would dearly like to do! We are now in the process of considering Mazda’s motorsport technology but no conclusion has been reached from the study. But we have a very strong desire to get back to our racing activities.

Would a production car be as big as the concept?

IM – That is one possibility, to make it smaller.

How soon could a rotary make production?

KF – Firstly, we really want to ensure the quality of this car is really durable in the marketplace. We want to do testing work two or three times more than we do for other vehicles. This time we want to make sure there are no quality issues with rotary. Secondly, as a company we want to make sure the business is more robust, improve the figures, before introducing this model.

Could this car have a manual gearbox?

KF – If we have big power with the right weight car, manual transmission suits me. But some kind of automatic transmission like [Porsche’s] PDK is required by customers in the world.

Will it be called RX-9?

KF – In the past RX-7 was always a two-seater, or two plus two. RX-8 was a four-seater. If we put on RX -9, is it a six-seater?! Therefore, with this car you can probably imagine the number!

 

[Z4ever]

I've always loved the RX7 FD, a car WAY ahead of its time. Due to the lightweight, compact and small rotary (sequential twin-turbo) engine, the RX7 FD was an extremely capable driver's car:

Handling in the FD was regarded as world-class, and it is still regarded as being one of the finest handling and the best balanced cars of all time. The continued use of the front-midship engine and drivetrain layout, combined with a 50:50 front-rear weight distribution ratio and low center of gravity, made the FD a very competent car at the limits.

 

[Z4ever]

 

[sanpt7777]

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.

Fuel consumption? You meant oil consumption?

 

[kingjr9000]

Mazda RX-9 could be a 400-hp, 2,900-pound coupe due in 2019
Mazda will show a concept car at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.

Mazda poured fuel on the white-hot rumors of an RX-8 successor with the RX-Vision earlier this year. The long, low rotary-powered coupe was lovely, but as we reported, it wasn't going to happen. But now, there's another chapter in the RX rumormill, and like overnight parts, it's from Japan.

Japanese site Holiday Auto claims that Mazda will debut the so-called RX-9 at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. But before that happens, the Zoom-Zoom company will preview the production model with a concept at next year's Tokyo Motor Show. 2017 is important, marking 50 years since Felix Wankel had the screwy idea for his eponymous engine and 40 years after the company's first rotary powered car, the Cosmo, hit the market.

Exciting as Holiday Auto's report is, the stats on this long-rumored car are better – via Google Translate, the Japanese site claims the RX-9 will use a 1.6-liter, two-rotor Wankel with a single turbocharger. It's good for around 400 horsepower. Holiday Auto isn't exaggerating when it claims the car could have "bike-like acceleration." As with other Mazda products, a low curb weight is key, which is why engineers are targeting a meager 1,300 kilograms (2,866 pounds) for the production model – that weight should be pretty evenly split, too, thanks to a rear transaxle. So yes, the RX-9 will be stupid fast and extremely agile. But it will come at a cost.

And by cost, we mean that the RX-9 will start just south of eight million yen. That's $79,641 at today's rates, or enough to purchase about 2.5 RX-8 R3s, the hardcore handling trim of Mazda's last-gen rotary car. And if Mazda follows Nissan's GT-R pricing model, we'll see a six-figure RX-9 by 2025.

When it comes to Mazda rotary rumors, grains of salt are a must. That's doubly true when we're talking about a possible concept that won't debut for over a year. But with the RX-Vision, Mazda showed that it hasn't abandoned rotary power, and with 2017 marking a big anniversary for the technology, it seems unlikely that the company will let the date pass without some acknowledgement. A concept car seems like a solid bet.

 

[Rolf]

I will be so excited for Mazda to bring out a new rotary powered sports car and with 400hp and just 1300kg will be decently fast. I surely believe Mazda can make the car weigh this low as they have proof in the pudding with the MX5 been so light only 1050kg.

 

[kingjr9000]

2019 MAZDA RX-9 OVER 400 HP


The RX-7 is probably one of the best known Japanese sports cars right alongside the RX-8, the Nissan GT-R, and the Supra. Unfortunately, though, the RX-7 has been missing from the market for more than a decade. Its successor, the RX-8, has been discontinued back in 2012 mostly due to its engine which was no longer able to meet all the emissions standards. Many people hoped for a successor and so far there have been quite a few rumors. Luckily, though, more recently there have been inside sources suggesting that the 2019 Mazda RX-9 is real. It seems that the car is based on the RX-Vision concept and it would still feature a Wankel engine which is by far one of the most interesting powertrains ever to be fitted to a car.

The platform

Just like before, it seems that the upcoming RX-9 will be based on an extended MX-5 chassis. Unlike the previous model, the new MX-5 is quite a bit lighter, narrower and shorter than before. The RX-9 would be wider, longer and it would feature a longer wheelbase as well. Also, despite the rumors suggesting for a carbon fiber construction, it seems that Mazda will go for regular steel and aluminum. This will allow them to keep costs down while not adding much to the weight of the car.

Many inside sources suggest at a total weight of fewer than 2,700 pounds which would be quite impressive. Its price is expected to start around $50,000 where it would face competition from the Cayman, the TT-RS as well as a few other cars like the GT350 Mustang or the new Camaro.

Source: autoblog.com

HOW IT WILL LOOK
There is no doubt that the RX-Vision is a stunning looking car. Well, it seems that the 2019 Mazda RX-9 will borrow quite a bit from it. The long hood, short rear end, and low height are all expected to be seen on the production version to a certain extent. The car is also expected to feature an evolution of the current Kodo design with an accent on aggressiveness. Expect much slimmer headlights, a larger grille as well as curvy lines throughout the body. Some also suggested a retractable spoiler in order to keep the flowing design while parked as well as active air intakes in the front.

Inside the cabin

Here, the RX-9 will most likely feature just two seats. This has been the trend with the original RX-7 with the only exception being the RX-8. The car will be a proper two-door sports car with a cockpit mostly designed around the driver. Like with the previous models, most of the controls and the center stack are all expected to be aimed at the driver. This will allow it to focus on experiencing driving characteristics of the car and nothing more.

Source: autoblog.com

2019 MAZDA RX-9 POWERTRAIN
As we previously suggested, the 2019 Mazda RX-9 is expected to be the first Wankel-powered car in years. Even though not much is known about this engine, a Mazda representative did say a while ago that the reliability, fuel consumption, and power delivery will be improved by a big margin over the Genesis. So far it seems that the new Wankel is larger. Many suggested that it will use two 0.8 liter rotors for a total displacement of 1.6 liters. Also, unlike the RX-8 engine, this will be turbocharged, and it might use a new type of direct injection. Its Apex-seals have been rumored to be improved tremendously over the original.

The result should be a 1.6-liter engine that will develop as much as 400 horsepower and well over 300 lb-ft of torque. All of this will be routed to the rear wheels via a manual gearbox. An automatic transmission is definitely going to be an option for those wanting it, but the most visceral driving experience will be offered by the manual for sure.

The biggest competitors are: Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar F-type, Alfa Romeo 4C and Porsche Cayman.

 

[Rolf]

I really hope that Mazda brings this car out, I am always excited when they bring out a rotary powered sports car, as that type of engine is so unique and they are normally a blast to drive and always so good to look at.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Autobild reports that the RX9 is coming 2020
- design and development have been approved
- 1,6-Liter-Skyactiv-R with 400 PS+ and Turbo
- new study concept (closer to production) will be presented in Tokyo
- production car could debut in Tokyo 2019

 

[Gianclaudio]

Did they use an AMG GT for that render???