New Mazda rotary
I read that Mazda has unveiled a rotary-powered prototype. Have you heard anything about it? Thanks.
A: Lou Ann Hammond
Here is the speech that was given at the Tokyo Motor Show about the Mazda RX-Vision sports car.
RX-VISION represents a vision of the future that Mazda hopes to one day make into reality; a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car with exquisite, KODO design-based proportions only Mazda could envision, and powered by the next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine.
Rotary engines feature a unique construction, generating power through the rotational motion of a triangular rotor. Overcoming numerous technical difficulties, Mazda succeeded in commercializing the rotary engine, fitting it in the Cosmo Sport (known as Mazda 110S overseas) in 1967. As the only automaker to mass-produce the rotary engine, Mazda continued efforts to improve power output, fuel economy, and durability, and in 1991 took the overall victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans with a rotary engine-powered race car. Over the years, the rotary engine has come to symbolize Mazda’s creativity and tireless endeavor in the face of difficult challenges.
While mass production is currently on hold, Mazda has never stopped research and development efforts towards the rotary engine. The next rotary engine has been named SKYACTIV-R, expressing the company’s determination to take on challenges with convention-defying aspirations and the latest technology, just as it did when developing SKAYCTIV TECHNOLOGY.
Let’s chat about cars.
Click on the picture to go to the washingtonpost.com chat:
Warren Brown and Lou Ann Hammond chat about cars on www.washingtonpost.com October 30, 2015
