Details Emerge on Mazda’s Rotary Engine
Mazda’s legendary Wankel rotary engine boasted power, smooth output, and an unforgettable noise — but its gas-guzzling habits and high emissions made its future uncertain. Now, this high-revving internal combustion engine could find new life in an unexpected place. The Rotary Engine Returns: A look at Mazda’s technology An electrifying future Although Mazda fans are […]
I Love Mazda’s Rotary Control Knob
In November of last year I wrote a first-impressions review of my new Mazda3 Touring Hatchback, and while I mentioned the rotary control knob in passing, I wanted to go back and talk about it some more. Because I think every car should have one like it. Touch screens are near-ubiquitous in modern cars, yet […]
Mazda Announces Plans for EVs, Rotary Engines
Mazda has been gradually coming around to the idea that it will need to put some form of electrification in its vehicles. Today, though, we have finally come to Mazda announcing its plan for electricity in its lineup by 2030. Looking Ahead: The 2019 Mazda Miata is here, better than ever Electrification Mazda has conceded […]
Mazda Exec Stirs Rotary Return Hopes
Writing about Mazda sometimes feels a little like being part of a flock of seagulls in “Finding Nemo.” Every once in a while, someone in Mazda’s global network says something about rotary engines coming back and everyone immediately sits bolt upright and stares at the speaker. Pardon? The Mazda Vision Coupe is Concept Car of […]
Mazda Rotary to Make a Comeback in a Toyota Self-Driving Electric Vehicle Pod
Ever since the RX-8 ended production back in 2012, Mazda has promised that it was still working on the rotary engine, and would try to one day return it to the roads. Oddly, though, it seems that that return (or at least part of it) will come with the rotary inside of a Toyota self-driving […]
Mazda Powertrain Head Confirms Probable Plans for Rotary Engines, Sets Off Misleading Hype Barrage
It’s time to cool down the hype train, here. In the past several days, we have seen headlines crying “Mazda rotary coming in 2019!” citing an article from Automotive News (link at the bottom, subscription required). More Mazda: Meet the Mazda flagship, the three-row CX-9 However, annoyingly, that is not exactly what’s going on. What […]
Fourtieth Verse, Same as the First: Mazda May Bring Back the Rotary
The return of Mazda’s rotary engine has been something of great debate and speculation ever since the discontinuation of the RX-8. Over and over, the enthusiasts have seized upon some small piece of evidence that Mazda was working on rotaries, risen up, and cried “ROTARY?” and over and over, Mazda has turned from its workbench, […]
Mazda Has Patents for a Rotary Range-Extended EV
Ever since Mazda revealed its RX-VISION concept car and reaffirmed its commitment to working on rotary engines, speculation has been wild on where the brand’s most unique engine might resurface. Some have hoped that Mazda might bring the engine back with a sports car like the RX-VISION, with one Japanese car magazine even citing anonymous […]
Rumor: Chrysler to Remove Rotary Dial Shifters from Future Vehicles
If you have purchased or driven a Chrysler vehicle recently, then you have probably noticed that the transmission dial shifters featured inside have undergone something of a transformation. Rather than a traditional gear shifter, the latest vehicles in the Chrysler lineup are equipped with a rotary dial shifter. To say that the change in the […]
No, Virginia, There Isn’t a Rotary Sports Car
Bummer
Ever since Mazda revealed its gorgeous RX-VISION concept, fans of its line of RX rotary-engined cars have understandably lost their minds in excitement at the news that the Zoom Zoom brand still was working on its Wankel engines. Almost immediately, speculation was rampant that Mazda would be reviving the RX line, with the latest example […]
Return of Mazda Rotary RX-9 Allegedly Set for 2020
When you write about Mazda coming out with a new car, one thing is likely to happen: somewhere in the comments will be an enthusiast of Mazda’s currently-discontinued rotary engines, asking Mazda to please, please just bring back the RX lineup. These enthusiasts were given a shot of hope when Mazda unveiled its RX-VISION concept […]
Mazda’s Rotary Coupe Plans Still Just a Concept
After Mazda revealed that it was working on a renewed SKYACTIV version of its rotary engine, RX enthusiasts the world over rejoiced. However, now it seems we all need to curb our enthusiasm, as Mazda doesn’t currently have plans to bring a production version of the RX-VISION concept to the mass market in the foreseeable […]
Mazda Files Patent for New Rotary Engine, Reveals Technical Aspects
Remember back at the Tokyo Auto Show when Mazda simultaneously revealed that it is still working on rotary engines with the SKYACTIV-R and the frankly gorgeous RX-VISION concept car? Since then, we have heard a few rumors about the new engine, but nothing that could be verified or pinned down as truth. Well, that is, […]
Mazda May Skip Paris, But Will Reveal More Rotary Information in Geneva
The Paris Motor Show (or French Motor Show, or Mondial de L’Automobile, depending on your mood or ability to speak French), is coming up in October this year, and so is getting all the proper invites and such sorted out. However, there is one particular RSVP which has not yet come in—Mazda has yet to […]
Rumors Fly on Stats of Mazda’s New Rotary Engine
Way back when Mazda revealed a shadowy teaser image of the new RX-VISION concept, a source talking to Motoring.com.au mentioned that the new rotary would possibly be a powertrain called the “16X,” which would use twin rotors and a hybrid system involving capacitors. More From Mazda: Guess how much the MX-5 Cup version is Now, […]
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Rotary
Mazda Reveals New Rotary-Engine Sports Car Concept, the RX-VISION
As Masamichi Kogai entered the stage last night to reveal Mazda’s new, mysterious maybe-yes-maybe-no rotary sports car concept, two thoughts crossed my mind. First, I thought “Man, it is a good thing that Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai doesn’t have epilepsy.” Watching the live feed, the sheer number of blinding camera flashes made the feed look […]
Mazda Confirms New Rotary Engine, Doesn’t Quite Confirm New RX
Mazda has been teasing the unveiling of a new, mysterious sports car concept, which we and others pretty quickly said “that looks like an RX.” Then, as more details about other cars to appear in Mazda’s display came out (“look to the Cosmo Sport”), it seemed that the concept wouldn’t just look like a rotary-engine […]
Mazda’s Yanking Our Chains Again with More RX-7 Rotary Rumors
Should we believe more announcements that a rotary RX-7 will be released by 2020?
Six months ago we received word from Motor Authority that Mazda was planning on reviving two rotary sports cars by 2020: the RX-7 and the RX-9. It wasn’t the first time we heard that rumor, and with the same news resurfacing this week, it clearly wasn’t the last. Denied gossip and unconfirmed hearsay have been running rampant since […]