A prototype of a new rotary-powered Mazda ‘RX-9' has been approved by the company’s board of directors to hit dealerships in 2020, according to a report by Motoring. That’d be an awesome way for Mazda to celebrate 100 years of Zoom-Zoom, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Apparently based on the Ferrari-inspired RX-Vision concept which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda may-or-may-not have greenlit a production ‘RX-9' rotary powered sports car for its centenary in 2020.
We got maybe a little too excited when we heard that Mazda had been hard at work on developing a new rotary engine, especially with hearing that they may be playing with turbo and hybrid power. The word back then was that they’d put it in production if they could get it to not have any of the problems the rotary is infamous for, and kind of hinted for us to not hold our breath.
Citing Holiday Auto Magazine, Motoring reports that a successor to the RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars has been greenlit by the Mazda board of directors and should be on its way for 2020. A prototype debut in 2017 was also mentioned. The reported powerplant will be a twin-turbo, twin-rotor 1.6 liter rotary sending power to the correct wheels in the rear.
What wasn’t mentioned was any direct quote from any solid sources, so drool at your own risk.