Is Mazda secretly preparing a Mazda6-based coupe powered by a rotary engine?

By Ronan Glon July 1, 2015

Mazda RX-9 rendering — Motoring

Mazda hasn’t offered a rotary-engined car since the RX-8 was given the axe in 2012. That doesn’t mean the Wankel engine is gone for good, and a new report coming out of Australia finds the Hiroshima-based automaker is busily developing its next rotary-engined coupe.

Tentatively called RX-9, the coupe will be built on a rear-wheel drive evolution of the SkyActiv platform that currently underpins the Mazda6. What it will be powered by is an open question at this point because it’s still at the embryonic stage of development, but sources close to Mazda speculate it could use some form of electrification in order to keep the low gas mileage that’s typically associated with Wankel engines in check. A manual transmission will come standard, and buyers will likely be able to order an automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive, or both at an extra cost.

Mazda put the rotary-engined coupe on hiatus a couple of years ago because it had to focus on renewing its core models in order to return to profitability, a task that’s easier said than done for an independent automaker. Persistent industry rumors claimed that a successor to the RX-8 had been axed for good, but Mazda is adamant that the project was never fully abandoned.

“After all, after the MX-5, the rotary is the spirit of the company. They’d all love to work on the next one,” points out an anonymous insider in an interview with Motoring.

If all goes as planned, the RX-9 will be previewed by a close-to-production concept that will be presented at a major auto show in 2017, a date that coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Cosmo Sport, Mazda’s first-ever regular-production, rotary-engined car. The concept will be toned down a little, and the RX-9 will be unveiled in 2020 as part of the automaker’s centennial celebrations.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

Cars

The Maserati GranCabrio Folgore is one of the best-looking EVs yet

Front of the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore

Maserati is adopting electrified vehicles with open arms, and while that could potentially signal an identity crisis for the luxury Italian brand, that’s probably a good thing in the long run.

The company recently took the wraps off of the new Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, which is essentially a convertible version of its already released GranTurismo Folgore electric car. The new EV is its third go at electrified vehicles so far, and it flew us out to Rimini, Italy, to witness the big reveal in person.

Cars

EV warranties aren’t like those for non-electric cars. Here’s what you should know

Close up of the Hybrid car electric charger station with power supply plugged into an electric car being charged.

EVs are on the rise. With awesome new models finally rolling out and charging networks rapidly expanding, it feels like we're at the tipping point of electric cars being as mainstream as non-electric vehicles. But with a whole new type of vehicle come new challenges. One challenge is adapting to charging times. Another is paying closer to attention to range. And another, as some drivers are finding out, has to do with electric car warranties.

Turns out, the warranty that comes with electric cars isn't necessarily quite the same as the one that you might get with your non-electric car. If you really think about it, that's probably not all that surprising -- after all, while they can look the same, electric cars have a completely different makeup under the hood compared to their gas-powered cousins. But understanding an EV warranty could be the difference between winding up having to pay thousands for a battery replacement, or getting one repaired on the house.
It's not all new
Before diving into things like battery warranties, it's worth doing a quick primer on car warranties in general. EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles usually come with two different warranties -- at least when they're bought new. First, there's the basic warranty (also known as bumper-to-bumper warranty), which covers every part of a car except for basic maintenance, usually for up to three years or 36,000 miles.

Cars

The 10 best car battery brands in 2024

How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.