Word from deep inside Mazda's Hiroshima HQ is that development of its much-rumored, rotary-powered RX-9 is well underway. But as one source told us, the company has put the lion's share of its recent R&D efforts into its new SkyActiv engines and transmissions and the next-generation MX-5, hampering the RX-9's progress.
"We want to take the RX-9 to the next level but just can't find the man-hours to do it," says our insider. "We have a guideline. We know what we have to do. But as we must give priority to the next-gen MX-5, we only have a small band of guys working on the RX-9."
The image you see here is one artist's impression of what the next-gen RX-9 will look like. Taking strong styling cues from Mazda's recent Shinari concept car, the RX-9 is expected to receive some of the most flowing, fluid lines and edges ever given a Mazda sports car.
Unlike the outgoing RX-8, with its complicated rear-door setup, the RX-9 will be a coupe. This means it will be more of an RX-7 for the 21st century, but with a twist. That twist will reportedly be in the form of hybrid technology Mazda will borrow from Toyota, thanks in part to an agreement the automakers signed last year. Apparently Mazda will only use Toyota's hybrid drive unit, with the main power coming from the Mazda-built rotary. The hybrid unit will reportedly be used primarily as a power booster and range extender.
Our confidant inside Hiroshima tells us that there is no point in doing with a rotary what a current gasoline engine can do, hence the move to a hybrid-assisted setup. "If that was the case, we could pop a rotary into a compact lightweight car tomorrow. But there's no merit in that. There'd be no reason to continue using a rotary."
Just then, our source changed tracks and mentioned platforms. "Do you know why the MX-5 grew so much in size? Because we had to drop it onto the RX-8 platform, as both cars employ the same platform." And now, roles have been reversed. The next MX-5 will land in showrooms long before the next rotary-powered car, which will incorporate the MX-5's new platform, reportedly being downsized to dimensions that almost mirror the 1989 first-generation model.
"Smaller, lighter, cleaner, more fuel-efficient, and more fun to drive. That's where we want to take the next rotary car," says our source, who hinted at a late 2013 debut. And given the bad rap the RX-8 suffered -- fuel-guzzler, oil-guzzler, weak mid-range torque -- such a radical rotary rebirth is the only way to take Mazda's greatest legacy forward.