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Source: https://www.motor1.com/news/693042/mazda-iconic-sp-concept-rotary/ The Mazda Iconic SP concept made its debut at the Japan Mobility Show today with a novel feature that sports car fans have been clamoring for since 2012: a rotary engine. Looking very much like the company’s Vision Study design piece from last year, the fixed-roof Iconic SP is a bit larger than the current MX-5 Miata, making it a tantalizing continuation of the RX-7’s legacy. But unlike that legendary coupe, the Iconic SP makes use of its two-rotor mill not to drive the wheels, but to charge a battery of unknown capacity, which then sends juice to an unspecified electric motor layout. While there are those burning questions about the so-called R-EV’s powertrain specifics, wherever the juice comes from, there sure is a lot of it – 365 horsepower to be precise. Mazda says the rotary can run on a variety of fuels, including hydrogen and renewable fuel, and the battery can also be plugged into a home outlet to recharge it. Coming in at 164.6 inches long by 82.8 inches wide and 45.2 inches high, the Iconic SP is 10.5 inches longer than a current MX-5 Miata and 4.1 inches shorter than a 1995 RX-7. According to the company, the Iconic SP weighs in at a slightly portly 1,450 kilograms (3,197 pounds), making it about 400 pounds heavier than the RX-7 and about 800 pounds more than the Miata. Such is the price one pays for electrons, and the Iconic SP still isn’t that heavy compared to the 3,342-pound Toyota Supra or 3,519-pound Nissan Z. It wears its size very well, too. Mazda says the compact powertrain allows a very low hood and ultra-compact dimensions, and the Iconic SP’s Coke-bottle fenders provide a modern contrast to the RX-7-style windows and rear hatch. The automaker’s modern grille shape appears on the nose, and Venn-diagram taillights recall both the NA-generation Miata and FC-generation RX-7. The doors open in a graceful, upward motion, not unlike Aston Martin's swan wing design. The Iconic SP is painted a beautiful shade called Viola Red, which is brighter than the company’s signature Soul Red Crystal – appropriate for a sports car. Inside, the Iconic SP is a triumph of minimalism, with a typewriter-key gear selector, digital instrument cluster, and small infotainment display being the only distractions from its curvaceous, flowing design. The kakenui stitching first seen on the CX-90 SUV appears on the Iconic SP concept’s dashboard and door panels, and the seats wear biofabric upholstery (a word we haven’t heard Mazda use since it developed a seat material made from renewable plastic in 2009). The combination of plug-in electric and range-extender tech isn’t new, even at Mazda – the MX-30 PHEV has a 0.8-liter single-rotor powerplant under the hood to keep the battery charged. The two-rotor engine in the Iconic SP might displace 1.6 liters, given the MX-30 uses a 0.8-liter single-rotor design. What’s more, the mill in the sports car can be used as a V2L generator, appropriate for everything from tailgate parties to backup power during severe weather. Mazda describes the engine architecture as scalable, so it’s possible the renewable-fuel rotary technology could be used for other applications. Dedicated home generators could make use of small-displacement rotaries, while larger vehicles could potentially daisy-chain rotors together to make bigger power. That said, the Iconic SP concept is a vehicle that is intended to underscore Mazda’s commitment to driving enjoyment first and foremost. “Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives,” said company Representative Director, President, and CEO Masahiro Moro. “As a car-loving company that mass produces the inspiring mobility experience, we are committed to shaping the future … where everyone can proudly say, ‘We love cars.’”

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/the-toyota-mr2-could-lead-to-the-revival-mazda-s-iconic-rotary-engine-ar197191.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox_TPS&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2S2mUuDGuCGprJtfki5sS3znOpoNqsiRsHuNnKF714h9AQ2GOgkJbIuOM#Echobox=1660555868 The Toyota MR2 Could Lead To The Revival Mazda's Iconic Rotary Engine With the development of new battery tech, we could see a 500 horsepower next-gen MR2 by 2026. by Daud Gonzalez, on August 14, 2022, 13:00 There is a lot going on in the world of Toyota. Holding the title of the largest automaker in the world requires constant progress. Every day we are getting breaking news about the possible Toyota MR2 successor. One day it’s a small four-cylinder turbo and the next day it’s a hybrid. Yet, respected Japanese publication Best Car, states it will be an EV. A possible collaboration with Mazda also may be in the pipeline. From what we know, it may be a 500-horsepower, 4WD sports car around the size of the GR Supra. Development has already begun for this projected model. If everything goes according to plan, we should see them stateside by 2026. WORD FROM INSIDERS - THE MR2 IS HAPPENING An inside source at Toyota states that they are in development of their next-gen EV sports car. Toyota revived the fire of enthusiasts with the GR Supra. Can they do the same without the help of a combustion engine? Japanese manufacturers Nissan and Honda have also begun to push into the sports EV market. Does Toyota feel the pressure? In December of 2021, they held an event for future EV models. Amongst them was a variety of sports cars. Yet, there are few details about the concepts presented at that event. A Toyota source says the intention of making an EV sports car is real, however, so there is some legitimacy to the concepts. GAME-CHANGING BATTERIES? One of the most difficult aspects of making an EV sports car appealing is performance of the battery. Current lithium-ion options have seen many optimizations. Yet, they still can’t be seen as the true replacement to combustion engines. To solve this issue, Toyota has teamed up with Panasonic to develop new battery tech. Known as "solid-state" batteries, they are more efficient in every aspect. Cruising range is twice that of an equal lithium-ion with the same capacity. Charging times should be half that of current technology along with less deterioration. This will be a game-changing tech and Toyota plans to have it in production by 2026. This lines up exactly with their timeline of their next-gen sports EV. Toyota is the company that first introduced electrification at a production level. They have over 1,000 patents related to hybrid and battery tech. The first prototype of the solid-state battery could be as early as Q4 2022. FASTER AND MORE CAPABLE THAN WE IMAGINED This emerging tech is still very expensive and unfit for mass production right now. This is why their first venture with the tech will be in a niche market, such as sport EVs. Yet, the power capabilities are well beyond what we expected out of a possible MR2 successor. The first generation MR2 struggled to make even 100 wheel horsepower. According to the Toyota source, the new battery and motor combo will have a power output of 500 horsepower. Can you imagine that? Even more impressive is that the system will be 4WD with dual front and rear motors. Yet, don’t expect the mini proportions we know of the Toyota MR2. Instead, the car will be the body size of the current GR Supra. It is even possible that this technology will lead to a solid-state battery GR Supra first. Mazda has also hinted at a collaboration with Toyota in the sport EV space. Yet, their offering will be a crazy rotary-powered EV. The rotary-engine will serve only for power generation for the battery. We have never seen any powertrain in a sports car do that before, so it will be revolutionary. As technology continues to develop, we will see exciting changes in the sports EV market.

Here's Why Mazda's New Rotary Engine is Genius

Mazda is known for its rotary-engined vehicles but after the company decided to end the production of the RX8, Mazda is left without a rotary model. Poor fuel efficiency is one of the major reasons why the rotary engine is given the chop. The company is determined that there is still a future for the rotary engine. Lately, Mazda is developing a new rotary engine which will act as a range extender for electric vehicles. While we wait for that piece of technology to complete, there is some good news for rotary fans out there as the RX7 is making a comeback. Nobuhiro Yamamoto, Mazda's program manager, has confirmed that a new Mazda RX7 is making a comeback and it will be launched some time in 2017. The RX7's comeback will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Mazda Cosmo Sport which is the first rotary-engined vehicle that Mazda has ever produced. The new RX7 will be more powerful, lighter and more fuel efficient than the previous one. Yamamoto worked on the previous RX7 model and he also designed the Mazda 787B Wankel engine. Yamamoto mentioned that the new car will use Mazda's new 16X rotary engine. In comparison with the RX8's 1.3 litre Renesis engine which made around 230bhp in natural aspirated form, the 1.6 litre naturally aspirated 16X engine will make around 300bhp. And the company is considering a turbo option as well. The 16X engine is based on the 13B's twin rotor design, the main difference is the increased displacement size. With Mazda's latest SkyActiv technology and the addition of special catalytic converters, the new engine will be more fuel efficient than previous rotary engines. Yamamoto also mentioned that the new RX7 will not be offered with hybrid technology because the company sees the car as a pure sports vehicle. Much aluminium will be used on the body shell in order to keep the vehicle weight at a minimum. Also, the car will use a stretched version of the MX5's platform. This is done to keep development costs low. The new RX7's overall weight is said to be less than 2800 lbs (1270 kg). As for the pricing, Yamamoto stated that the new RX7 will be priced between the Nissan 370Z and the GT-R. This means that if it reaches our shores, it will be rather expensive. Image credit: Net Car Show

[extract] Some of us would know that Mazda plans to use their rotary engine as a range extender for an electric vehicle. But like all plans, we won

[extract] Mazda has used the Wankel rotary engine for nearly fifty years. Other than Mazda

[extract] Mazda

[extract] Mazda rotary engines are a type of combustion engine that was derived from German engineer, Felix Wankel

[extract] President and CEO of Mazda, Mr Takashi Yamanouchi, told a small group of Australian journalists at the 2011 Tokyo Motorshow that the company could merge its MX-5 roadster and RX-8 replacement into one single sports car. The company

Over the past one year, Mazda has hinted that their rotary engine usage has come to an end. The company had to struggle with stringent emission laws and fuel economy in its RX8 model and it looks like the RX8 would be the last Mazda model to feature the rotary engine. But a recent Twitter update by a Mazda PR employee shows otherwise. A recent twitter update revealed that Mazda is working on a new rotary engine for a new model and they will also feature their SkyActiv technology into it. The actual tweet also thanked supporters for their continuing support of the rotary engine and the RX8. No expected timeline was mentioned as to when we will see this. From what I could remember, SkyActiv focuses on three key areas: (1) Advanced engines with world-beating compression ratios (2) Highly efficient transmissions (3) Sophisticated lightweight chassis technology for high levels of crash safety performance and driving pleasure. If Mazda is going to increase compression ratios on its rotary engine, I wonder how that will help fuel economy, especially on its RX model. For Mazda fans, don

The end is here for Mazda's rotary-powered RX-8 sports car as a result of low sales volume and more importantly, stricter emissions standards. According to a report from Automotive News, production of the RX-8 has stopped in early July and the remaining inventory will be sold by the end of this year. Mazda has stopped offering the car in Europe last year, after failing to meet the more strict EU emission standards. Last year, the Hiroshima-based company managed to deliver just 1,134 units, a 49% decrease compared to 2009, while sales in the first half of 2011 decreased by a further 21%. The front-mid-engined rotary sports car was launched by Mazda in 2003, with its best sales year in 2004, moving 23,690 units. It is the last in the line of rotary-powered sports cars that started in 1971 with the RX-2. This could very well be the last mass-produced rotary-powered sports car. Kiyoshi Fujiwara, the brand

[extract] The people over at Mazda are basically discussing the future of Mazda

The partnership between Germany and Japan did not succeed during the World War II. However, they are rumored to come together again and this time, to bring fun instead of destruction to the world. A new report is indicating that Mazda and Audi are considering a partnership to develop a Wankel engine. Inside Line, a free online car magazine, says the two companies have had informal talks to explore the possibility of joining forces to develop rotary engines. Audi recently unveiled the A1 hatchback-based e-tron concept, which features a 254cc Wankel range-extender located beneath the trunk floor. There are now less than 100 engineers working on the existing Renesis engine, says a senior insider at Mazda. However, a newly developed laser ignition system promises a big step forward. Laser ignition does away with the need for spark plugs, making it easier to seal the Wankel's trochoidal combustion chamber for improved efficiency and reduced hydrocarbon emissions. If a funding source is found, the mid-term aim is to develop a new rotary sports car capable of producing just 130g of CO2 per km compared to the polluting 299g/km of the current RX-8. Contributing to this huge improvement are micro-hybrid technology, auto stop/start function, usage of lightweight materials etc.

With the RX-8 sports car expected to be discontinued after the current model year, Mazda, the last bastion of the Wankel rotary engine, will be without a car in its lineup featuring the free-spinning engine. This is because Mazda is yet to engineer a rotary engine to meet its own internal fuel economy and emissions standards. Marvelously simple and compact yet viciously inefficient, variants of the spinning triangle have been used in Mazda's cars for over 40 years. However, It

[extract]Recently in the far away land of Japan a 2 day motor event was held. The