Toyota, Subaru, and Mazda held a joint convention earlier this week, promising to save lots of the interior combustion engine by making it run cleaner. Toyota unveiled a number of new inline-fours whereas Subaru previewed a next-generation hybrid boxer. Mazda introduced one thing arguably extra thrilling by showcasing a prototype for a two-rotor engine.
Though the Zoom-Zoom firm did not go into specifics in regards to the new {hardware}, it did announce it may very well be put in in a efficiency automobile in the future. As seen within the Iconic SP idea, the rotary engine would work as a generator by juicing up the battery slightly than being mechanically related to the wheels. Mazda already gives a single-rotor engine within the MX-30 the place it is put in transversely. Within the potential RX revival, the two-rotor setup could be longitudinally mounted.
“This idea unit is provided with two longitudinally mounted rotary engines for energy technology, enabling a bigger energy provide and realizing low middle of gravity proportions. The unit additionally goals to enhance vibration and emissions by growing the displacement. It’s also being thought of to be used in sports activities automobiles.”
There you could have it–a brand new RX is formally on the desk. The massive information comes simply as we realized an RX-7 reboot was thought of within the mid-2000s. Mazda pulled the plug due to the monetary disaster. It might’ve been a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports activities automobile positioned above the MX-5 Miata (NC). Nonetheless, it seems to be as if the RX might come again in the future. After years of rumors, speculations, and a stunning idea, we now have it written in black and white that this new two-rotor engine might go right into a enjoyable automobile.
Lest we overlook the Japanese automaker has a devoted rotary engine staff. It was formally established in February and consists of 36 engineers working collectively on “enticing automobiles that excite prospects.” The final time Mazda had a rotary sports activities automobile in its portfolio was in 2012 when the JDM-spec RX-8 Spirit R served because the mannequin’s swan music.
In October 2023, the corporate’s Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama stated the Iconic SP was deliberately made larger than it wanted to be. Why? To create a much bigger splash on the Japan Mobility Present the place the idea debuted. He went on to say that Mazda can shrink the automobile to the dimensions of a Miata, regardless of having to cram in a two-rotor engine, an electrical motor, and a battery pack.
The Iconic SP was 164.6 inches lengthy and 82.8 inches extensive, due to this fact making it considerably bigger than a Miata ND however nonetheless with simply two seats. It tipped the scales at 3,197 kilos (distributed 50:50), so considerably greater than the featherweight MX-5. With 365 horsepower on faucet, it had about twice the facility of the diminutive sports activities automobile, which turns 35 this yr.
Having given the present Miata a 3rd essential replace this yr, Mazda is unlikely to launch the fifth-generation mannequin anytime quickly. It is unclear whether or not a manufacturing Iconic SP could be the subsequent MX-5 or the plan is to promote a bigger, costlier sports activities automobile. That is supplied the Iconic SP is definitely going to occur, in fact. Fingers crossed!
