Topic: Could this Mazda concept be the next RX-7 or RX-9?

[Autos_Editor]

This could be Mazda's next rotary sportster!
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[Noto]

This will never make it beyond a concept - no way Mazda is going to compete with itself (the MX-5) for a niche market to begin with, and that roofline is not suggestive of a 4-seater (2-door).

Plus, even if materials science can produce an apex that will not leak, and emissions scandals aside (the rotary was never exactly "green"), it'd cost more $ than Mazda can invest in R&D to bring it back to market.

[Fobroader]

OOOOHHHH...very nice!!!! Heres hoping they have given up on the rotary silliness....yeah, it was a great experiment, but lets face it, did not work out well at all.

[Snowman]

 A concept car that will never see a production line. How exciting   

[Noto]

OOOOHHHH...very nice!!!! Heres hoping they have given up on the rotary silliness....yeah, it was a great experiment, but lets face it, did not work out well at all.

The issue is that while development has halted, progress of modern diesels and ICEs has continued to the point that an updated rotary is likely to be obsolete by the time it hits the market in a single roadster.

[Fobroader]

OOOOHHHH...very nice!!!! Heres hoping they have given up on the rotary silliness....yeah, it was a great experiment, but lets face it, did not work out well at all.

The issue is that while development has halted, progress of modern diesels and ICEs has continued to the point that an updated rotary is likely to be obsolete by the time it hits the market in a single roadster.

There are some terrifyingly fast and brutal rotaries out there.....that would never pass the limpwrist NVH tests to be put into production. They work really well in race cars that are actually properly maintained by people who care. Give them to the average Joe Blow...no, just no.

[Arthur Dent]

Its probably some silly SUV thing 

[Noto]

Its probably some silly SUV thing 

coffee spewed on desk.  Thanks, ya jerk!   

[Fobroader]

Its probably some silly SUV thing 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Northernridge]

A tease of a concept? That's like a tease of tease or a glimpse of a glimpse.

"We're going to give you a peek at something that you will never see, prepare yourself."

[mixmanmash]

OOOOHHHH...very nice!!!! Heres hoping they have given up on the rotary silliness....yeah, it was a great experiment, but lets face it, did not work out well at all.

The issue is that while development has halted, progress of modern diesels and ICEs has continued to the point that an updated rotary is likely to be obsolete by the time it hits the market in a single roadster.

There are some terrifyingly fast and brutal rotaries out there.....that would never pass the limpwrist NVH tests to be put into production. They work really well in race cars that are actually properly maintained by people who care. Give them to the average Joe Blow...no, just no.

This.  The main problem is people don't understand rotaries.  On FD3S RX-7s, people use to blow out Apex seals because of detonation - too much boost, not enough octane.  Get your octane right and not problem.  Lucky for us in the Edmonton area, there is a good builder / tuner of the rotaries.

[mixmanmash]

This will never make it beyond a concept - no way Mazda is going to compete with itself (the MX-5) for a niche market to begin with, and that roofline is not suggestive of a 4-seater (2-door).

Plus, even if materials science can produce an apex that will not leak, and emissions scandals aside (the rotary was never exactly "green"), it'd cost more $ than Mazda can invest in R&D to bring it back to market.

The RX-7/RX-8 never was meant to compete against the MX-5 (roadster market).  Given now that the MX-5 is not available in a hard top, maybe there is room?

Traditionally, the RX-8 was more to compete with the 350Z.  RX-7 was up against the 300ZX & Supra in the 90s.

[Arthur Dent]

Its probably some silly SUV thing 

coffee spewed on desk.  Thanks, ya jerk!   

haha - sorry about that. I just envisioned some Honda Crosstour type disappointment.

[Solstice2006]

This will never make it beyond a concept - no way Mazda is going to compete with itself (the MX-5) for a niche market to begin with, and that roofline is not suggestive of a 4-seater (2-door).

Plus, even if materials science can produce an apex that will not leak, and emissions scandals aside (the rotary was never exactly "green"), it'd cost more $ than Mazda can invest in R&D to bring it back to market.

Is Mazda known to do that?  Make concepts and not put them in production?  Sounds like a waste for a company that has such a small R&D budget.  Still don't get why the Mazdaspeed3 or CX-9 hasn't arrived yet?  The CX-9 has been announced but still dragging their feet.

[Blueprint]

I'd love to see the RX series come back, with a proper Wankel under the hood and BOSCH ECU, but a MX-5 Coupe could very well be a thing too.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I'd love to see the RX series come back, with a proper Wankel under the hood and BOSCH ECU, but a MX-5 Coupe could very well be a thing too.

I was always puzzled why they didn't offer a fastback Miata.

[OliverD]

Is Mazda known to do that?  Make concepts and not put them in production?  Sounds like a waste for a company that has such a small R&D budget.  Still don't get why the Mazdaspeed3 or CX-9 hasn't arrived yet?  The CX-9 has been announced but still dragging their feet.

The CX-9 is debuting at the LA auto show this fall. The assumption is that it will have a turbocharged version of the SkyActiv motor which will also be in the new MazdaSpeed 3. Maybe that will debut at Detroit?

[Kris78]

Wouldn't a Mazda6 coupe make more sense?

I recall there were rumours about that some time ago, not sure if anything concrete came of it.

[OliverD]

Wouldn't a Mazda6 coupe make more sense?

No because midsize FWD coupes don't sell.

[Fobroader]

Wouldn't a Mazda6 coupe make more sense?

No because midsize FWD coupes don't sell.

Just ask Nissan how well the Altima coupe did....though I do see an Accord coupe a few times a week so they can work...somewhat.