Do you think that new rotary sports car from Mazda is possible or will it forever remain dead?

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Adorable_Dust3799@reddit

Piston engine goes boing boing boing mazda goes hmmmmm

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caterham09@reddit

I think it's a total pipe dream. There's no way they get a rotary past emissions today.

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They've already said they've met the emissions targets in internal testing, but that it's a cost and sales volume problem now. I can see Mazda treading excessively carefully, as a failed sports car product would be even worse than what they went through with the MX-30 in the US (which, side note, still sells in Japan with a suite of drivetrains). The car needs to be successful in the US, so I'm sure they're scared of backlash causing major issues.

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stav_and_nick@reddit

The MX-30 would have been very successful if it was released with the EREV drivetrain that exists in other markets. Would have taken it from the shittiest EV to one of the better PHEVs instantly

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varezhka11@reddit

I liked MX-30, but after test driving the BEV I doubt the EREV version would've been much successful either. The way they tuned the whole car, it felt very optimized to city driving in a way that would've felt at home in Vancouver or Tokyo but felt very out of place in LA. Which was quite a shame since I really looked forward to the EREV.

I'm sure a rotary hybrid sports will be tuned very differently. A business case would be quite difficult, though, especially in the current political climate.

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aprtur@reddit

Yeah, I wasn't really getting at the tuning part of the MX-30, but moreso how much people thrashed Mazda over it - which I feel was somewhat undeserved, as the bones were good, but Mazda screwed up by not providing either the EREV or standard mild hybrid. As you did say, the EV just wasn't a US market focused car, but the other two could have been fine. I feel like the mild hybrid especially would have sold in decent volume here in the US - it's funky and different enough that I guarantee people would've bought it for the different looks to your average compact CUV.

Agree with you on the business case - as I was saying above, I think Mazda is scared to do anything risky whatsoever right now.

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varezhka11@reddit

Oh, I am totally with you on that. Some of the vitriol the MX-30 got were totally undeserved. People forget that the "MX" on MX-30 is short for "Mazda eXperimental" and I for one was looking forward to paying my money for the good looking 1st gen. rotary EREV.

I think part of the issue is that Mazda is a very engineer centric company that's terrible at PR communication. They keep thinking that the engineering would speak for itself without understanding that these messages need to be well massaged for the lay people, including the media. It's one of the things that I feel was done a little better under the Ford days.

And yes Mazda is scared to do risky things right now, and rightly so. They are a very small player in an extremely unpredictable time. One bad step can sink them quickly. And right when their gamble of US centric RWD platform was actually starting to pay off, too.

I shall continue to send my best wishes and will save my money for the future rotary. Whether that ends up 5 years or 10 years from now we shall see.

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tr_9422@reddit

I'm sure the MX-30 is a nicer car to drive, but it's smaller than a RAV4 PHEV and has worse electric range and worst MPG when running in gas mode. Is it really selling well in the markets that get it?

Americans customers might buy it over the RAV4 because they like to get bad gas mileage, but I don't see them accepting the smaller size.

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aprtur@reddit

The RAV4 isn't really what the MX-30 competes with - it's more of a "style CUV" that would compete with stuff like a Lexus UX, LBX, or maybe something like the current Juke. In that segment, it seems to do alright, and I think it'd sell better than the UX with the hybrid drivetrain and cheaper price point.

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aprtur@reddit

Absolutely agree, but even more than that, I think they should have done the easy thing and do what they did in Japan - a normal hybrid first, with EREV and EV options appearing later. I still think a normal hybrid MX-30 would sell pretty well, since they're funky enough to capture the Lexus UX crowd.

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

They can do this risk decision, as they’ve Toyota supporting. If their sports car failed, they wouldn’t lose so much.

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aprtur@reddit

I would love to see Toyota back it - something tells me that deep down, Morizo would love to see a new RX coupe, as well (way too many stories of him at cars and coffee in Tokyo as a true gearhead). I know I'd throw down the cash and trade my 8 if they could commit to a new coupe.

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klowny@reddit

It'd probably have to be a Miata / RX / Supra platform sharing project for the RX to get the green light.

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2braincellsarguing@reddit

Since emissions are measured as fleetwide emissions, it’s def possible, as long as the other cars Mazda sells compensates for the added emissions of a rotary powered car.

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Muttonboat@reddit

People forget that rotaries literally inject oil into their combustion cycle.

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impossiblefork@reddit

There are uses for rotaries though. In drones for warfare.

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Macgyver452@reddit

Ford started adding gasoline particulate filters on their Bronco Sports, it might be with these.

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Critical-Positive858@reddit

never happening lol

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QLDZDR@reddit

The only use the rotary motor will be in a sports car, is to be a compact powerplant that is used as a generator for the battery (or superconductor) that powers the electric motors on each wheel.

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mgobla@reddit

It would do an insane amount of damage to Mazda, huge waste of money, financial loss.

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LeftCoastGator@reddit

Nope. Rotary engines purpose was to get a lot of horsepower out of a tiny, lightweight engine.

The problem is to do that, they also created a deafening, oil-spewing, seal-destroying nightmare that gets the same mileage as Ford F-350 dualie.

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BRICH999@reddit

Not interested in a rotary range extended hybrid.

I'm still salty about the development of the 16X that was never put to real use. Give me light weight, great handling and 10k rpm please and thank you

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greyfixer@reddit

Not coming back. R&D on rotary engines is nowhere near what would be needed to be competitive with modern piston engines.

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jse000@reddit

Maybe they can partner with Nio and set up stations to swap the engine every 10k miles.

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13DGMHatch@reddit

You can count on 3 things, death, taxes and a new article about Mazda making another rotary car coming out every week.

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StrangeSmellz@reddit

And the gr86 getting a turbo

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Vtakkin@reddit

And an s3000

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Willy995@reddit

The S2000 is named because of it's displacement (2000 ccm) and so were the predeccessors. I'd doubt that a successor would have more displacement

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UnnamedStaplesDrone@reddit

Honda NA 3.0 9000 rpm trust me bro

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jse000@reddit

Stop it hurts 😭

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Drew1231@reddit

Everybody who doesn’t understand the design intent of the GR86, said in unison: THIS NEEDS TO BE FASTER

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Aero06@reddit

Totally, the GR86 getting a 30hp bump over the FR-S completely ruined the car, it's undrivable now.

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SignificantBoxed@reddit

😂😭

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six_six@reddit

What is the benefit of rotary?

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VelikBatafuker@reddit

BRAP BRAP BRAP BRAP

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trail-g62Bim@reddit

That would put me in an insane asylum.

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Trail-Hound@reddit

They’re a compact engine that can put out some good power for their physical size & weight. They’re also a very smooth running engine with a quick to rev character. Very fun engines to drive.

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leedle1234@reddit

Smoothness, high revving, extremely responsive throttle due to the low spinning mass. Power to weight, there are 3 combustion events for every "rotation" of the engine.

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SunnyDthaGod@reddit

“The benefit of a light-weight and compact rotary engine isn’t in the power it has, but the maneuverability that comes from an ideal weight distribution. I just love the consistent spirit of the rotary engine”

Ryosuke Takahashi (initial D)

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PhilosopherChemical1@reddit

It's dead dead. Even Christ couldn't resurrect the rotary. By nature, the rotary engine is fuel inefficient. It wouldn't pass current emissions. What Mazda should do is release 4 rotor crate engines for us to put in Miatas.

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walmarttshirt@reddit

I saw a video of a build with a V8 in a Miata. It was expensive but it may be the most fun you could have out of driving.

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sparklyboi2015@reddit

GM ls engines fit snug, but they do fit. This obviously throws off the weight balance of the car and totally defeats the purpose of having a momentum car like a Miata.

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C-C-X-V-I@reddit

It's generally only about 200# though. The LS is the same package size as the stock engine

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Funny-Dragonfruit116@reddit

The LS is the same package size as the stock engine

That's not true. I know there's an image floating around of the internet like this, but you'll notice that the Miata engine in that image has an exhaust manifold, heat shield, turbo system, coolant piping, alternator and AC compressor attached.

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natesully33@reddit

I've done the swap. It's a tad longer, but far wider (as you can tell from the image) so it fits nicely after you "square" the engine bay with a whole lot of cutting/welding and some reinforcement brackets Flyin' Miata/V8Roadsters used to sell you. Even with accessories the LS isn't that big, though it does go from right up near the firewall to the crank pulley just behind the radiator fans.

And yeah, 200-250lbs, mostly on the front of the car. The stock front suspension will sag a bit but unless you are one of those weight-obsessed types or bench pressing the car, you won't notice the extra weight after you put V8-specific coilovers on and do an alignment. I autocrossed my LS-Miata quite a few times and it was not worse in any way.

I recommend the swap to anyone with the money and time to do it, but do not underestimate how much work it is.

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C-C-X-V-I@reddit

I stand corrected, I've never seen that angle before of it and you're right

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cat_prophecy@reddit

The power density of the rotary engine is eclipsed by the turbo four cylinder, other than maybe weight. They also get better than 15 mpg, don't burn oil, and don't blow up their apex seals.

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Just1morecop@reddit

Yeah but 9000RPM go brrrrr

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OreeOh@reddit

Dead for 500

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slwrthnu_again@reddit

There has been news articles about the new rotary sports car from Mazda since the second the rx8 ended production. It isn’t happening and until you can go to Mazda and buy one, nobody should think otherwise.

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KingHauler@reddit

Unless mazda created some magical tech or found a loop-hole, the rotary engine - by its very nature of burning oil and running rich - cannot ever pass modern emissions standards.

That's why the Renesis was so gimped. The most we'll see is a range extending engine where it's small and runs infrequently enough to pass emissions.

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TheMangoManHS@reddit

I can only see it working in mass production as a range extender for an electric car.

It might be possible as a low production halo car ie the Furai with hybrid assistance to get through emissions regs but I doubt we'll see it in any affordable (ish) sports car

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Minute-Solution5217@reddit

Rotary is a dead end

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dam_sharks_mother@reddit

One of my favorite cars I've ever owned was a '94 FD RX-7, best looking car to ever come out of Japan, and one of the most engaging cars to drive ever. And all of that was DESPITE the rotary engine which was the worst thing about the car. The only good thing about it is that it loved to rev. Everything else about it was a huge pain the ass...consumed oil, even on new/fresh engines, horrible gas mileage, struggled to make torque, constant overheating. 3 out of the 7 guys in my local rx-7 club had to rebuild their engines before 75k miles. I was lucky, I sold mine with 36k miles to some kid in Toronto and he immediately blew the engine within 2 weeks street racing.

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Occhrome@reddit

No way. Mazda doesn’t have Toyota money to play around with.

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Fit_Equivalent3610@reddit

In just 2 more weeks Mazda will solve the apex seals problem, invent an indestructible eccentric shaft that allows for reliable 5-rotor motors, and develop an efficient means of pairing a rotary engine and manual transmission with a battery electric hybrid to breeze past emissions. They will simultaneously annouce the $50,000 turbo rotary-hybrid RX-7 weighing in at just 2700lbs with a 95" wheelbase, 500hp 5 rotor engine and standard 7 speed manual + 4.11 FD LSD.

In my dreams, that is. In reality, he's dead, Jim.

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Drew1231@reddit

This is what they took from us.

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Keyboard-Fedaykin@reddit

Beyond dead. Mazda can barely entertain hybrids. They don’t have the engineers or material science to make rotary viable.

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-Racer-X@reddit

They’re still unreliable unfortunately

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harajukukei@reddit

Unless they come up with some wizardry to improve emissions and fuel economy, it will never happen. My FC got like 12 mpg

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TubaCharles99@reddit

If rotaries do make a come back it won't be like what we remember. It'll be much more like Mazdas crossover. Where it's mostly a EV but the rotary provides range. of course could go e ray route too

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skankhunt1738@reddit

Everyone’s hating here, keep the dreams flowing man, it helps keep RX-8s and first gen RX-7s cheap lol.

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Hrmerder@reddit

Ded…

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fuckyou@reddit

Honestly? I think it’s possible — but it’s hanging by a thread.

Mazda hasn’t given up on the rotary engine entirely (they’re using it as a range extender in the MX-30), so there’s still love for the platform internally. The issue is, bringing back a full-on rotary sports car like an RX-9 isn’t just about passion — it needs to make financial sense in a world that’s pushing hard toward EVs, fuel efficiency, and emissions regulations.

A hybrid rotary could actually be the sweet spot: lightweight, unique, and nostalgic enough to attract fans, while being futuristic enough to justify the investment. But until Mazda sees real demand or gets a solid return forecast, they’re probably going to keep teasing it without pulling the trigger.

So yeah — it’s not dead, but it’s definitely in a coma waiting for the right moment to wake up.

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CasioOceanusT200@reddit

I'd rather they do something like the Civic Hybrid, but focus on the drive and sporting experience more. While not perfect, when I was messing around in one, the perfomance, noise, and general experience was 80% of the way there.

So, a quick, series hybrid with some fake-shifting and engine noise, plus a gas engine (of some tupe) as generator. Call it the Cosmo or RX-E or something, then use the tech in some higher volume stuff to make it worth it.

Unless there's some magic breakthrough, no one is going to make (or buy) a rotary engine that burns oil and gets 16 mpg while providing less power than any turbo 4.

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sparklyboi2015@reddit

I would rather have Mazda produce a rotary crate engine than nuder it by putting it in a car that needs to meet emissions.

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pablxo@reddit

I've been waiting on this car for so long -

the rx-vision concept is one of the best looking, most intriguing concepts of recent memory.

if it ever does come to fruition and ends up resembling it in the slightest, paired with the uniqueness of a rotary we'd truly have one of the most special cars ever made.

i hope mazda finds a way to make it happen.

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ryanmi@reddit

Why do people like them aside from nostalgia? I don't see the benefit over a high revving i4.

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Inkuisitive_Minds@reddit

Rotary is an impractical design in today's society that desires reliability, and affordability. Why would anyone buy a rotary engine in this day an age? It has issues with emissions, apex seals, engine flooding, isn't reliable in all climates, and is horrible on gas. If Mazda wants a lightweight sports car that bigger than MX-5 then they COULD just make a Mazda Speed3. They don't want that because its a huge risk. The only rotary car I can think of is an electric hybrid where lightweight rotary can be used as a range extender.

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_Thorshammer_@reddit

Dead.

It would be almost impossible to get a rotary through current emissions and economy standards without spending more money than any major automaker wants to spend.

Possible?

Technically, until you realize everybody else has a 15 year head start on 3 cylinder turbos.

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Dredgeon@reddit

Maybe if they did something like a vane rotary.

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Plastic_Willow734@reddit

They’ll eventually unveil a concept car in collab with Shell to show off their 100% green biofuel or whatever and it’ll never see the light of day

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SunnyDthaGod@reddit

If by chance it does come back (as a hybrid) plz make the interior more modern-day rx7 and less tesla

Exterior of the SP looks great tho

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aprtur@reddit

SP interior is pretty, too...if they could translate that pretty closely to production like they did with the 3 concept, that'd be pretty solid for a modern car.

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ridemyscooter@reddit

As a sports car? No. As a PHEV generator, possibly. They have most of patents for a PHEV using a rotary engine as a generator. Although I think online 4 and 3 cylinder engines do a better job, I do thing a rotary engine could make a small and potent generator that could meet emissions provided you kept the RPMs really low and constant. Otherwise, I don’t see rotaries ever making a comeback which is a shame because they’re cool AF but kind of inefficient

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Huge-Chapter-4925@reddit

i mean they just kept banning them from races so no real reason to make em

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EmergencyRace7158@reddit

Unfortunately no. The rotary won't be able to pass emissions without a massive amount of R&D spend that Mazda has other priorities for. The only (extremely unlikely) way it could happen is if they share parts with Toyota and stick that body on a version of the upcoming twin turbo V8 Lexus LF-R as a very limited run, ultra expensive model. Japanese performance cars from the 90s are having a real moment in the collector car world and its possible there's enough of a market for something like that.

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juwyro@reddit

Unless they came up with something crazy to solve the rotaries inherit issue it will at best be a hybrid drive train. There is the MX30 that uses a rotary as an electric generator, maybe that.

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aprtur@reddit

That's pretty much what the SP is all about - two-rotor hybrid rotary. I think that's the only reason they've already said they've met emissions targets. What would be really cool is if they found a way to do it like Honda's old IMA system where they maintained a manual transmission.

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WillSuckDick4Coffee@reddit

Mass produced sports car? Absolutely not.

Limited halo car that costs $150K? Maybe

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humdizzle@reddit

its a terrible for street applications: repeated cold starts, mpg, eats oil, needs new apex seals often, uneven temp distribution.

great for racing applications though: power to weight ratio, high rpms are easy to achieve and sustainable, less moving parts means there is less to break and easy to open up and work on.

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LebronBackinCLE@reddit

Nope doesn’t make business sense

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NoRegret1893@reddit

After the RC-8 debacle, I think "rotary" is a word that even the most brilliant marketer/spin doctor/apologist/entrepreneur would find impossible to sell to anyone ever again.

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techieman33@reddit

It's dead.,even if they figure out how to get around the emissions problems. It's one of those cars that people like to fantasize about buying. But when actually given the option they decline in droves. Especially since it will probably have a high MSRP and then the dealers will tack on huge market adjustments too.

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EndPsychological890@reddit

Yeah right after Half Life 3

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Scumwaffle@reddit

Poor emissions, poor fuel economy, poor reliability. It's not a great combination if you're a car manufacturer. The rotary is cool and it'll always have a place in the hearts of enthusiasts (Rob Dahm), but thats about it.

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Skensis@reddit

They should do another spec formula series at least.

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KotCoyote@reddit

From what I understood the only way Mazda would incorporate the rotary is as a range extender for an EV, like they did in the MX-30. Which means the character of the engine wouldn't shine through anyway as it just runs at a constant RPM to charge the battery.

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