According to Japan’s Holiday Auto magazine, Mazda’s board of directors has okayed the RX-9 which is replacing the RX-7 and RX-8.
The Mazda RX-Vision, unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo show, heralded the return of the rotary engine.
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Mazda may start piling on the buzz at the 2017 Tokyo motor show where it may showcase a prototype before the production model shows up at the 2019 show. Next year would also be a timely debut for the RX-9 as it is the 50th anniversary of Mazda's first rotary model.
Holiday Auto claimed the RX-9’s SKYACTIV-R rotary engine will displace 1.6-litres through the use of twin 800cc rotors, and employ turbocharging and diesel-style Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI).
The sub-1,300kg car is set to have an impressive power-to-weight ratio as output is expected to be around 400hp.
Rotary engines feature a unique construction, generating power through the rotational motion of a triangular rotor.
Overcoming numerous technical difficulties, Mazda succeeded in commercialising the rotary engine, fitting it in the Cosmo Sport (known as Mazda 110S overseas) in 1967.
As the only automaker to mass-produce the rotary engine, Mazda continued efforts to improve power output, fuel economy and durability, and in 1991 took overall victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans with a rotary engine-powered race car.
Shown in this article are RX-9 renderings sourced from Holiday Auto.
