Rumors Abound Concerning
Potential New Mazda RX-9
Time for a bit of rotary news.
Autocar reports some insider knowledge of Mazda’s plans for an upcoming successor to the recently-axed RX-8 and legendary RX-7.
If the rumors are true, the new RX-9, as it’s likely to be called, will be built around the Japanese automaker’s latest refinement of the rotary, known internally as the 16X. Unlike nearly all previous generations of Mazda’s iconic engine, the 16X features a longer equivalent of a rotary’s stroke, greatly increasing its efficiency and alleviating much of its bemoaned lack of low-end torque.
Design-wise, now that Mazda has thankfully abandoned its cartoonish Nagare design theme in favor of the much handsomer Kodo styling philosophy, there’s no reason to expect the RX-9 to sport a grotesque, grinning maw. No, I’m hopeful the upcoming sports car will feature a more aggressive variant of the recently-released CX-5‘s attractive nose.
All the pieces are in place: Brand-new Wankel engine, appealing design direction… All that’s left is to build it. Substantiate the rumors, Mazda!
Editor’s note: The car pictured at top is a Mazda concept and doesn’t officially represent a definite design direction for a new production sports car.
The all-new Mazda 370 Crossfire!
Hahaha
The concept shown is pretty bad. Hopefully, if/when the RX-9 comes out, it’ll incorporate some of the automaker’s newer styling themes. The new 6 is beautiful!