Mazda Kills RX-9 And Relegates Rotary Power To Hybrids
Life is just not fair sometimes. Mazda’s stunning RX Vision concept had hinted – strongly – that a future rotary-powered RX coupé was in the pipeline, but sadly the idea has been canned for good.
In an interview with Automotive News, Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai squashed the idea of any sort of RX-sized coupé. A simple and possibly slightly impatient “no” greeted Automotive News’ reporter when he asked the question.
Although Kogai-san hasn’t ruled out the idea of rotary making a comeback, he does have bad news for sports car enthusiasts. He said: “I think that as a sports car option, the MX-5 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter conventional engine, with its power and acceleration, might be a more exhilarating experience.
We can point him to at least two online communities that might disagree, but hey. Rotary is in the R&D chain as we sit here right now, but is set to be limited to range-extender technology, where a small, high-revving rotor might be a perfect electricity-generating companion for batteries and electric motors.
“If we were to restart production of the rotary engine again, we need to make sure it wouldn’t be just short-lived,” Kogai said. “We need it to meet future emissions regulations. We are still conducting our r&d activity to overcome any issues we have with emissions and fuel efficiency.
Sad times indeed. But let’s remember that this cloud has a silver lining. At least the inevitable future LS swap argument won’t ever happen…
Comments
So basically they are gonna make some “crappy” hybrid engines and enthusiasts are going to 13b/20b engine swap it? Is this what Mazda wants? /BringBackRotary
Cough cough wink wink 26b
I think if they mate the rotary engine with electric motor like in the Regera where the Electric motors help the Internal combustion engine, it will make the car more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly. That is because at the electric motor will start to roll the car, and when the rpm is high enough the brapapapap stututu machine can kick in
Well at least we still have LS swaped rx7’s. (Trigger Warning)
Am I the only who is like “Meh?”
What’s up with the looks?!! I don’t understand why the manufacturers are trying to make the cars look “futurized”. Same goes with the supra/Z… The old cars looked beautiful and timeless… These just look like MACHINES. Same goes with the NSX.
“I think that as a sports car option, the MX-5 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter conventional engine, with its power and acceleration, might be a more exhilarating experience.” Except for, you know, people that can’t fit in a freaking MX-5.
2 extremes:
Rotary BRAAAAAAAAP
Hydrid …
Hybrid is Prius and Prius is “HELL NO!”
But “RX” means Rotary eXperimental so i don’t get this
It says “No plans for a larger sports car entry with a range extender” not “No plans for a larger sports car entry with a rotary engine”
And that the range extender rotary comes FIRST. Not that it’s the only rotary that comes.
There is not a single word, that a sports car wont happen, just that a sports car with a rotary range extender wont happen.
But thats nothing new since in another interview was said, that the RX successor wont get a hybrid powerplant.
Just read the article right. I guess everyone knows, that it’ll take some years until we see a RX-9, but these OH IT HAPPENS. OH NO THEY DITCHED IT is complete bs, since they wont tell until it really happens.
They actually said that have no plans of building a sports car bigger than the MX-5. There is no new sports car coming. A few years ago I would have believed that they could do it but after dieselgate and the push towards electric I just don’t see it happening anymore. they also have no plans for an electric sports car so we may never see another new RX again.
Oh for f^^ks sake…