Mazda RX-9 shown in fresh patents
Japenese patent suggests rotary-powered sports car is underwayIf engineering drawings discovered in Japan are anything to go by, Mazda could be on the way to reviving its iconic rotary-powered sports car.
A 'vehicle shock absorption structure' patent lodged overseas has been picked up by Japanese publication Motor Magazine, which hints the long-rumoured Mazda RX-9 is secretly under development.
According to the outlet, the patents likely belong to a sports car as it clearly depicts double-wishbone front suspension, a sturdy cross-member and a body constructed from a mix of aluminium alloy and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic components.
The Motor Magazine report cites a Mazda source as saying the 'RX-9' will be based around a dedicated new platform that is unrelated to the new rear-drive architecture it is also developing.
The latest patent document follows one uncovered in January, showing a new port and twin-scroll turbo design by Mazda.
While Mazda has previously confirmed there are no plans to introduce another rotary-powered sports car in the near future, the leaked patent suggests otherwise, reviving earlier speculation the Japanese manufacturer would offer a 300kW rear-drive coupe due by 2020.
Mazda hasn’t produced a rotary-powered model since the RX-8 coupe that was discontinued in 2012, with its predecessors still popular with enthusiasts today.
A potential RX-9 would likely take styling cues from Mazda's recent RX-Vision concept (pictured), which was first unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo motor show.
The patents unearthed this week are the latest piece of speculation around the RX-9's development and appear to show an engine bay too tight for a conventional high-performance engine.
For its part, Mazda remains tight-lipped around the project, but recently told carsales that it has engineers actively involved in rotary engine development.
Whether it will be applied to drive the wheels of a born-again RX sports car -- beyond charging the battery in the rotary range-extender EV that Mazda will reveal at next month's Tokyo show -- remains to be seen.
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