It’s been a while since an RX with a rotary engine sports car emerged from the factory of Mazda. Arguably their most famous is the RX-7, but it’s the RX-8 that brought the curtain down on rotary sports Mazdas with the final unit produced in June 2012. Since then, as our sister site claims Top Speed, enthusiasts have been longing for a successor. Now, the whispers of a possible RX-9 are getting louder.
A new RX-9 follows the spectacular RX-Vision concept, and this concept gives us a glimpse of what a possible RX-9 could look like. In an increasingly electric world, a possible return of the Mazda RX makes us very excited.
A conventional ICE may be under the hood of the Mazda RX-9
Despite all the rumors and speculation, it’s not 100 percent clear what will be under the hood of a new RX-9. But what has been hinted at is a potential new member of the Mazda Skyactiv family. Mazda could bring a turbocharged inline-six, likely producing between 350 and 400 hp. This would make the RX-9 a formidable rival to the Toyota GR Supra. But the lack of a rotary engine under the hood of the RX-9 could be enough to ruffle quite a few feathers in the enthusiast world. It’s not the return of the RX that many might have hoped for.
However, a conventional engine will pose less of a challenge for Mazda. And they have size and weight advantages over the usual problems that can plague rotary ones. Efficiency, reliability and thirst are things that have hindered rotary engines in the past. And in this more environmentally conscious world, Mazda may feel the inline-six is the best way to go. However, there could be a rotary look to the new RX-9, with the possibility of an electrified rotary engine coming to the new RX-9. An innovative, high-tech solution for which Mazda recently filed a patent.
The system has two 23 hp induction motors for the front wheels. In addition to a 36 HP permanent magnet synchronous motor that complements the combustion engine. These form the heart of the hybrid system within the RX-9 and offer the possibility for the new RX to have an all-wheel drive system. To counteract the weight penalty that electric motors sometimes bring to the wheels, the front two are as small as possible, located in the hubs of the front wheels. A double layer capacitor inside the engine bay is what will power these motors. An advantage of the system could be a flatter torque curve, which allowed the engine to generate maximum torque at the low and mid end of the engine speed.
A new Mazda RX-9 may look like a supercar in production form
The RX range has always been amazing, but the upcoming RX-9 could take it to another level. The 2015 RX-Vision concept gives us an idea of what the new sports car could look like. With a surprisingly long nose and hood, a low height and a wide, bulky stance. But this mass also has sleek, flowing lines, and the RX-Vision concept clearly takes some cues from previous RX models that had a long nose and hood.
The RX-Vision clearly won some, as it was voted “Most Beautiful Concept Car” at the Paris International Motor Show in 2016. The car looks more like a supercar than a sports car, and it show Mazda’s commitment to making fun and exciting. cars Mazda then took it a step further and produced the RX-Vision GT3 concept. A racing version of the car based on GT3 regulations was later added to Gran Turismo Sport in May 2020. The car has also returned to the latest iteration of the video game, Gran Turismo 7.
Mazda is committed to the return of its rotary engines
While it’s not returning as a bespoke power unit, Mazda seems very committed to a future with rotary power. A rotary is already used in the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactive R-EV. Which is a 0.83-liter single-rotor unit with 75 hp and 86 lb-ft of torque. It works in conjunction with a 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, creating a total range of 373 miles for the crossover. In effect, the rotary engine is now used as a generator.
This application of the rotary isn’t the most exciting, but one thing you can’t fault is Mazda’s innovation. The company won an innovation award at the Top Gear Electric 2023 awards, thanks to this rotary generator inside the MX-30 e-Skyactiv. It is not innovation that will win over enthusiasts. But we’re lucky Mazda is even bringing the rotary back in any form, since the company’s last rotary, the RX-8, almost killed them off for good. No wonder it’s been more than 10 years since the last rotary car left the Mazda factory.
The almost finished RX-8 Mazda Rotaris forever
Oil consumption was a common problem in RX-8 engines, especially as the sports car began to hit the 30,000 mark. This was an ignition coil problem, not a fundamental engine failure. But Mazda ended up needlessly replacing several powertrains before the problem was diagnosed. The RX-8 also suffered a major recall of 15,000 examples built between 2003 and 2004, due to a problem with the exhaust system. Mazda would eventually cite new emissions standards as the reason they pulled the RX-8 from sale. European sales ended in 2010 and then worldwide in 2012.
However, despite its problems, the RX-8 had its advantages. The RX-8 has become a tuner’s dream as rotarys are some of the best engines to modify. The high revving nature and huge power output potential of the engines mean that tuners will do everything they can to extract as much power as possible from them. The suicide doors were a feature of the RX-8 that added to its appeal, and as a practical car, the RX-8 was a bit of a surprise. The great pace of the cabin and the suicide doors helped in that area.
The new Mazda RX-9 may debut in late 2023
Right now it’s unclear when we’ll be able to see the new RX-9, and indeed, if. Whispers surrounding the car are getting louder, but Mazda has yet to comment on the speculation. But, there are reports that the RX-9 could debut later in 2023. And that it will be the product of joint development with Toyota and its GR GT3 concept. Mazda has also reportedly registered a new R logo in Japan. Adding more fuel to the fire surrounding the new sports car. Maybe rotary hybrid power isn’t what die-hard enthusiasts wanted. But it’s still a return of the rotary and one of Mazda’s most famous vehicle lines.
Source: Top Speed
