TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Convergence for Mazda's sports cars?
Lighter, stronger, more efficient —a new sports car in Mazda's future may replace both MX-5 and RX-8, company CEO hintsThe future isn't bright for the Mazda RX-8, but with the car manufacturer so committed to Wankel rotary engine technology, don't bet against a revival of the rotary in another sports car not too far in the future.
Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanounchi has left the way clear for the company to revitalise the rotary engine for the 21st Century, offering improved low-speed torque and enhanced fuel efficiency. Speaking with carsales.com.au through an interpreter during the Tokyo motor show, Yamanouchi-san professed to seeing the rotary take two distinct paths in the future.
"I think that there are two major directions that the senior management have been discussing: one is the application where we use the rotary engine as a conventional powerplant — so we need a major plan, both to upgrade the lower-end torque and improve the fuel efficiency. Otherwise, we don't see that course making much progress.
"But the other is... essentially application of the rotary engine as a range-extender, powered by hydrogen, so it will only emit steam...
In effect, the rotary engine, under Mazda's watch, has to go through its own SKYACTIV program to be a viable motive-power unit. That won't happen immediately however, because Mazda's engineers are fully engaged on SKYACTIV for reciprocating engines.
Despite Audi's recent work on Wankel engines to extend range for EVs, Mazda's aspiration for the same ideal will remain mired in delay as the world waits for hydrogen resupply infrastructure — although it's only Mazda's philosophical commitment to hydrogen that stands in the way of rotary combustion engines filling this role.
So leave aside the hydrogen/range-extending business for a moment, how the rotary can remain in a position closer to viable is by means of powering low-volume sports cars. Yamamouchi-san admitted that RX-8 production will end next year, but stated categorically that the company "won't extinguish the flame of the rotary engine".
Furthermore, Mazda will continue to offer sports car products as iconic as the MX-5 and the RX-8 in future, although, says Yamamouchi-san, "I can't say whether they'll be separate, they may be merged into one."
While it sounds like a radical idea, the RX-8 and the MX-5 already share underpinnings. Only the 'top hat' and the drivetrains are unique. Such components as brake systems are unique, to cope with higher levels of demand, but harmonising the two cars on the one platform is not that far removed from the current reality anyway.
Perhaps of more interest to those with some emotional investment in either sports car model is the weight reduction program the next MX-5 will undertake. Mazda appears to have set itself a target of below 1000kg for the next generation of MX-5. Whether or not it's powered by a rotary, expect it to give the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ twins quite a run for their money.
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