Discussion
I love my RX-7 and I'd love a production RX-Vision too, and I know the people at Mazda are mad keen to do another rotary sports car, but I'm afraid it's not going to happen.
The fundamental issue is that the rotary has poorer fuel economy. Partly this is because the burning fuel/air mix is in a thin slither against the housing wall, which means a large surface area so more wasted energy as heat. Partly it's because piston engines have had a decade or two of intensive development by dozens of companies worldwide since the RX-8, and it would be a big investment for Mazda to bring the rotary up to date with modern efficiency tech like direct injection.
Meanwhile, Mazda is doing badly and can hardly afford the investment. "Sales are down, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but even before that hit sales had been weak. New models that should be terrific on paper have underperformed in sales, including the Mazda 3, the revolutionary SkyActiv-X, and the just-launched MX-30 ... Mazda is expected to lose $870 million for the fiscal year ending March 2021." ( http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/mazda-rwd-straight... )
Mazda, like all companies is under huge pressure anyway. They have to master software development to provide the 'mobile phone' experience buyers now expect, super-tough for car makers. They have to roll out a range of hybrid, plug-in and battery drivetrains rapidly or face huge fines/taxes. And they have to start mastering autonomous driving. All these mean huge investments in uncertain technologies, tough for any company and doubly so for a medium sized one suffering a sales downturn.
In this situation, investing huge money in an engine that will probably still be too thirsty, and whose market is uncertain, sadly isn't going to be possible for Mazda. While prestige brands like Bentley can still sell gas-guzzling W12s, that's existing tech that's being sold worldwide to the very rich. RX-7 buyers aren't that wealthy, and the various green taxes make a thirsty sports car hard to sell. And even Bentley aren't developing an all-new W12, but have shifted future R&D to electric powertrains.
If we're lucky and with Toyota's support, Mazda will manage to launch their new straight-six engine and FR platform mentioned in the above article, and we might then get a 'Mazda Supra' out of it, a straight-six turbo sports car, perhaps with some hybrid element. But I think the only way we're likely to see another rotary is as a small, low-power range-extender in electric cars like the MX-30.
I really feel for Mazda. They make well engineered, high quality (for their price point), good looking cars. As a brand I like them as they seem to put a lot of effort into the things that make a car nice to drive such as damping and decent, often na engines.
It is a shame more people do not buy their cars. I guess because they are bit better quality than some they can come across as being a bit expensive. Most seem to think only Germany can do "quality" or only Toyota do Japanese reliability.
It is a shame more people do not buy their cars. I guess because they are bit better quality than some they can come across as being a bit expensive. Most seem to think only Germany can do "quality" or only Toyota do Japanese reliability.
Agree with the above, we have a 2 year old Mazda 3 and it really is a cut above all other small/medium hatchbacks I've driven in the last few years. Only the Mini and Golf felt more insulated but then they were another 50% of the price and I don't believe any European car is that well made anymore. It replaced a Punto so it didn't have to work too hard to impress 
, but it does do well even up against my Toyota. For the price we paid and the economy it achieves it's remarkable. I really hope they survive so we can buy more of their cars.
, but it does do well even up against my Toyota. For the price we paid and the economy it achieves it's remarkable. I really hope they survive so we can buy more of their cars. Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff