A new patent filing could give us a few clues about Mazda's new rotary-powered sports car.
When Mazda unveiled the stunning RX-Vision Concept, we were hoping it previewed a future RX-8 successor. Four years have passed since then, but Mazda still hasn't produced a new rotary-powered RX sports car since the RX-8 finished production back in 2012. However, a new patent design filed by Mazda suggests the long-awaited RX-9 sports car is in the pipeline.
As reported by Japan's Motor Magazine, the patent shows a spaceframe chassis that looks like no other platform that underpins Mazda's current models, suggesting the RX-9 will ride on an independent platform. The publication notes there's a double-wishbone front suspension, and a crossmember in the engine bay suggests the car will adopt a front-mid engine layout. There's also extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic and aluminum to reduce weight. Of course, the patent doesn't confirm an RX-9 is on the cards, but it's the most compelling evidence we've seen yet.
What does Mazda have to say about the possibility of making an RX-8 successor? Last December, the automaker's CEO Akira Marumoto said it's difficult to make a business case to develop a new rotary engine as the current priority is to meet the demand for electrified powertrains instead. However, he also said that producing a new sports car powered by a rotary engine "is a dream of everyone at Mazda," so an RX-9 hasn't been ruled out entirely. We're still dreaming about it too.
Mazda design boss Ikuo Maeda is also keen to make this dream a reality. "When it is decided as a brand that we need a sports car, that's when we will produce the car. As you know, we already have the MX-5. If we need a more premium sports car, then we need to have a serious think about it," he told Autocar. A more recent report also claimed Mazda will unveil a new 355-horsepower, four-door coupe sports car within a few months. We're keeping our fingers crossed.
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo
Join The Discussion