Upcoming Mazda RX-7 still to use rotary engine

Carmaker Mazda is developing a rotary powerplant that will be used for the successor of the RX-7 that can depend on diesel or petrol. The new engine is also expected to have better fuel mileage compared to the discontinued RX-8.

The 2-stroke 16X Mazda engine has an architecture set to fill in the shortcomings of the company’s recent rotary engine like high consumption of oil. Insiders hint that the new powerplant has shown promising figures in the fuel efficiency department.

The development of the unit of though is still waiting for the final go from the top executives of Mazda. The company is still studying how to perfectly combine performance, emissions, economy, and the necessity to address the low torque at mid range of the rotary powerplant. At its current development phase, the 16X should be able to give the RX-7 around 300bhp and send it from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds.

The research and development team of the Japanese car manufacturer invited racers and drivers from outside the company to test the mules of the RX-7. The design team is also requesting feedback about the looks of the car during customer clinics.

Much of the push to develop another sports car with a rotary engine is from Mazda USA. Surveys conducted by independent firms have shown that the demand in the US for rotary engined sports car remain to be very strong. This American demand for the RX-7 has kept the project alive, otherwise it would have been placed in the shelves.

Source: AutoCar

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