Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

'SkyActiv-R' may be the name of Mazda's next rotary engine

Stephen Edelstein
By

mazda-tokyo-motor-show-teaser
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The sports car concept that Mazda will unveil at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show later this week will be a two-door, two-seater with a rotary engine under the hood, confirming years of speculation that Mazda will revive the Wankel engine for potential performance cars, according to a new report.

Mazda’s new rotary engine will be called SkyActiv-R, says Autocar. This information comes from a conversation with Mazda R&D chief Kiyoshi Fujiwara on the eve of the Tokyo show. Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai confirmed the concept’s two-seat layout, but would not say definitively if it will go into production, although others seemed optimistic.

Recommended Videos

Ever since Mazda discontinued the RX-8 in 2012, fans have been pushing for a replacement. Mazda itself largely denied that it was planning a new rotary sports car until recently, when it began dropping some interesting hints. When the firm announced the still-to-be-revealed sports car concept, it noted that a Cosmo 110S will be displayed alongside it. The appearance of Mazda’s first rotary sports car was certain to get fans’ attention.

Related

Kogai has also said that Mazda has a dedicated team working on rotary engines. One of the major challenges of bringing rotary engines back to showrooms will likely be improving fuel economy and emissions. These were always the weak points of Mazda’s previous rotaries, and improvements will only become more important as government standards get tougher.

Mazda’s decision to build a rotary-powered concept car seems to indicate an intent to launch a new production model that could sit above the Miata, just as the old RX-8 and RX-7 did. It’s also possible that Mazda just wants to shamelessly milk its heritage. Or maybe it has something entirely different in mind.

The company has applied for patents for an electrified powertrain that uses a rotary engine as a range extender, similar to the setup used in the Chevrolet Volt. It demonstrated a prototype based on the Demio (known as the Mazda 2 in the U.S.) in 2013. California regulations may soon require the sale of some sort of electric car or plug-in hybrid, and this system could help it meet that requirement.

Of course, we’ll probably have a better idea of Mazda’s plans once the sports car concept is unveiled. And with the Tokyo Motor Show press days getting underway, we won’t have to wait long. Stay tuned.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?
Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.

Read more
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan gets new face, bigger battery
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan front-quarter view.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan arrived during the 2022 model year as the flagship of Mercedes' EV fleet. But now that it's been on sale for a few years, it's time for this flagship to get a refit so that it can stay competitive with other six-figure electric sedans like the BMW i7, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model S. The updated EQS sedan is scheduled to reach dealerships later this year as a 2025 model.

One of the most controversial features of the EQS has been its unorthodox streamlined shape, which makes the EQS one of the most aerodynamic sedans around, but also means it doesn't look much like a traditional Mercedes. For 2025, the EQS takes a step closer to that traditional look with a new grille featuring chrome bars like on the Mercedes S-Class. It also sports the brand's trademark hood ornament.

Read more
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more