In the grand narrative of Japanese auto-manufacturing, Mazda holds a significant role, renowned for its innovative design and distinct offerings. Its most illustrious saga revolves around the RX series, the epitome of the unique rotary engine’s prowess. Yet, the retirement of the RX-8 left enthusiasts waiting for the next installment with bated breath. Today, we shine a light on the upcoming spectacle – the Mazda RX-9.
Entering the arena as the much-anticipated heir to the RX-8, the RX-9 radiates intrigue and allure. It emerges following the RX-Vision concept, a dramatic promise unveiled by Mazda at the Tokyo Motor Show. Since then, speculation has been rife about Mazda’s next big play.
The RX-9 whispers are getting louder, hinting at the potential revival of Mazda’s signature rotary engine in a world dominated by conventional gasoline engines. With Mazda possibly sharing the stage with Toyota’s impressive GR GT3 Concept, the prospect of a new epoch in race-inspired road cars is tantalizing.
Updated August 15, 2023: As Mazda is working towards a production version of the long-anticipated, true RX-7 successor, more details surrounding the next-generation, rotary sports car from Japan.
The Powertrain Enigma — Dissecting the Potential Under the Hood of RX-9
A shroud of mystery surrounds the engine that will breathe life into Mazda’s eagerly awaited RX-9. The veil seems to be lifting slowly, revealing tantalizing hints of a turbocharged inline-six engine, potentially derived from Mazda’s Skyactiv family. This powerhouse, projected to deliver an exhilarating 350-400 horsepower, could make the RX-9 a formidable adversary for the likes of Toyota Supra.
Shifting gears from the conventional rotary engine may ruffle some feathers among Mazda enthusiasts. But the case for this transition strengthens when we weigh the advantages of size and weight against the challenges of efficiency, reliability, and environmental concerns posed by the thirsty and emission-heavy rotary engines.
As intriguing as this possibility is, Mazda has another trick up its sleeve: an electrified rotary engine. This exciting development, unveiled through a recent patent, introduces the concept of a hybrid setup involving a front-positioned rotary engine.
Two 23-horsepower induction motors for the front wheels and a 36-horsepower permanent magnet synchronous motor behind the combustion engine form the heart of this hybrid system. Besides offering all-wheel-drive capability, this combination could introduce interesting dynamics in torque delivery, potentially leading to a flatter torque curve.
The suspense surrounding the RX-9’s powertrain continues, with Mazda keeping its cards close to its chest. However, these tantalizing possibilities hint at Mazda’s explorations in pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation.
A Rotary Engine Consisting Of Three Rotors
The Mazda RX-9 patents reveal schematics of a three-rotor engine. The patent is filed under the title “hybrid vehicle that uses a rotary engine for driving”. This implies that it will not serve as a generator for the electric motors like in the Mazda MX-30 EV SUV, but will send its power to the ground through the rear axle.
Meanwhile, the front axle will be powered, exclusively, by the two, 23-horsepower e-motors. We know the RX-9’s tri-rotor engine will be based on the single-rotor unit, serving as power generator in the MX-30. The modular nature of the rotary engine makes the addition of more rotors easy, but in the RX-9, the unit will be significantly beefed up to handle between 350 and 400 horsepower.
The Rotary Engine Problem
The rotary engine may be a signature trait of Mazda’s flagship sports cars, but if the RX-9 manages to recapture the essence of the FD RX-7, it will be a desired Japanese sports car long after production end. This innevitably means owners will have to deal with the wankel engine’s inherent drawbacks, and there aren’t many shops willing to work on rotaries.
Mazda RX-Vision Concept was unveiled back in the distant 2015, followed by a GT3 variant in 2020. This means that for eight years, we have been waiting for a new Mazda rotary sports car. The reason behind it taking so long is that engineers have been hard a work, ensuring the new rotary engine is as reliable as a conventional piston engine.
Mazda Hasn’t Ruled Out An Inline-Six RX-9
Mazda is keeping a tight lip and although the patents clearly indicate a three-rotor unit is in the plans, Mazda isn’t ruling out the newly-developed inline-six unit that already works in the Mazda CX-90 SUV. In the large SUV, the turbocharged inline-six makes 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm). In the CX-90, the turbocharged inline-six works as parts of a mild-hybrid system with an additional, 17 horsepower and 113 pound-feet (153 Nm) from a small electric motor between the engine and transmission.
This coincides with the 350-400 horsepower target figure for Mazda’s sports car, although we expect the engine will get a slight power bump, if they ever put it in the RX-9. A recent report by Australian publication, CarsGuide.com.au, shared that the new target figure is 370 kilowatts (500 horsepower). Moreover, the inline-six is much more familiar to mechanics and since a lot of rotary Mazdas have received engine swaps in the past, it makes more sense than you might think.
The RX-9 May Be Co-Developed With Toyota Gazoo Racing
According to Japanese publication, Best Car Web, the Toyota GR GT3 Concept shares a lot with the Mazda RX-Vision. While the visual similarities are striking, the two companies are known to be working together on various BEV models.
Joint projects are quite common between automakers, especially when it comes to sports cars. There has been chatter about Toyota and Mazda working together on an inline-six-powered sedan model – possibly, what was supposed to be the rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 – so, a jointly-developed flagship sports car between the two companies is a real possibility.
The RX-Vision Blending Luxury with Electrification
When it comes to sheer aesthetic prowess, the RX-Vision undoubtedly rivals that of supercars. Yet, in contrast to the likes of the Koenigsegg Gemera, which bolsters its 2.0-liter three-cylinder engine with electric propulsion, the RX-Vision revels in the essence of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). Devoid of electric assistance, it gracefully straddles the line between high-performance speedsters and luxurious sports coupes akin to the Toyota GR Supra.
The focus of Mazda’s latest investments paints a more nuanced picture of the brand’s direction. A considerable amount of resources has been channeled towards the Large Product Group (LPG), Mazda’s large vehicle platform, along with the development of a new family of inline six-cylinder engines. While these efforts suggest an emphasis on SUV-based models and possibly a farewell to the Mazda6, the commitment to electrification remains robust.
With five hybrid, five plug-in hybrid, and three EV models slated for release around 2025, and more in the pipeline, Mazda’s devotion to green technologies is undeniable. However, these strategic investments also imply that the much-anticipated RX-9 might remain a dream for the foreseeable future, given the likely allocation of the research and development budget.
For now, these artistic renders may be our closest encounter with this captivating notion. But who knows? In this world of rapid automotive evolution, Mazda may yet surprise us all with a daring twist in the tale of the RX-9.
Unveiling The RX-9 Vision In The Gaming Universe
Re-imagining the Mazda RX-9, no longer just a pipe dream in the world of concepts, it has found a fresh lease of life on the gaming consoles of PlayStation 4 and 5. You don’t need to leave your home to get a feel of this luxury sports car as Mazda and Polyphony Digital have creatively collaborated to feature the RX-Vision in Gran Turismo 7 and Gran Turismo Sport video games.
The concept car has been carefully mapped into the virtual world, ensuring that gamers get a realistic experience of driving this future Mazda car. The RX-Vision can be yours in the gaming realm with a substantial stash of 450,000 in-game credits. However, if your virtual wallet isn’t brimming just yet, fear not! A Manufacturer Cup contract with Mazda is another way to get behind the wheel of this dream car. This contract, valid for a season, gives you the unique opportunity to compete in the game using this car.
Concepts often take time to materialize into tangible models on the showroom floor. The RX-Vision seems to be no exception. While the concept continues to evolve with real-world input and feedback, its virtual counterpart offers a tantalizing taste of what’s to come.
The Hidden Clues to Mazda RX-9’s Emergence
As whispers of the Mazda RX-9 grow louder, intriguing new details are beginning to surface about this highly anticipated model. Echoing its lineage, patent filings depict the rotary engine’s comeback, nestled behind the front axle, hinting at an unconventional powertrain. But, this time around, the rotary legend is accompanied by a suite of cutting-edge technologies that hint at a truly 21st-century sports car.
The RX-9’s skeletal structure could also share its DNA with the 2015 RX Vision. Final touches on the exterior could result in a more complex façade than that of its sleek and minimalist concept predecessor. However, one can still expect the sophisticated essence of the RX Vision to live on in the RX-9, like flush door handles and a grille design reminiscent of the Mazda 6.
Furthermore, the patent hints at an Aluminum Space Frame (ASF) construction, a technique often employed by high-end sports cars, including the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo. This fusion of multiple aluminum alloys results in a lightweight, yet robust frame, capable of enhancing chassis rigidity and vibration absorption.
Adding fuel to the rotary rumor mill, Mazda has intriguingly trademarked a new ‘R’ logo in Japan, incorporating a red triangle, an emblem resonating strongly with their iconic rotary engine. Reports brim with excitement over a possible 2023 launch for the RX-9, envisaging a hybrid-rotary powertrain and a potential power output of around 370kW.
However, all this brings with it a significant upswing in price. Initial estimations peg the RX-9 at around $80,000 – a hefty sum that towers over the price tag of its predecessor, the RX-8. Although official confirmation is yet to be revealed, the breadcrumb trail is leading us to a thrilling conclusion – the arrival of the much-anticipated Mazda RX-9. We continue to piece together the puzzle of this high-performance mystery.
Source
https://www.topspeed.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-mazda-rx-9-sports-car/
