Mazda’s Passionate Team Eager for a New Rotary-Powered Sports Car
- Mazda is actively evaluating the possibility of launching a new rotary sports car
- Concepts like the Iconic SP serve to measure public enthusiasm
- A future production model would directly drive the wheels using a rotary engine
Three things remain constant over time: mortality, taxes, and Mazda’s persistent ambition for rotary engines. Despite the MX-30 crossover’s rotary range extender failing to gain widespread appeal, Mazda’s vision for an RX model endures. Since the reveal of the Iconic SP concept in October 2023, the idea of a sports car positioned above the Miata has fluctuated between active development and uncertainty. Although the concept hasn’t received production approval, senior Mazda officials have not dismissed the possibility.
In a recent discussion with Auto Express, Moritz Oswald, Project Manager and Product Planning Supervisor at Mazda Europe, revealed there is a remarkable level of enthusiasm among employees for a flagship rotary sports car. The brand is exploring a spiritual successor to the RX-7 and RX-8, but financial considerations remain the ultimate deciding factor.
'The number of car lovers within Mazda is extraordinary. Everyone here is passionate about vehicles, so naturally, there’s a strong desire to continue delivering emotionally engaging models. Are we investigating this? Absolutely. However, as a business, we must also ensure profitability.'
If the RX series returns, Mazda plans to take a different technical approach than previous concepts. While the Iconic SP and the MX-30 R-EV used the rotary engine as a generator to charge batteries powering electric motors, a production RX would use the rotary engine to drive the wheels directly, providing a more traditional sports car experience.
The 2023 Vision X-Coupe concept also featured a rotary engine in a plug-in hybrid setup with a two-rotor powerplant. Mazda stresses that these concepts are more than mere experiments—they are tools to assess market interest and feedback, helping to determine the size of the opportunity for a rotary revival.
Although Mazda’s engineering team is deeply committed to rotary development, Chief Technology Officer Ryuichi Umeshita emphasized the financial challenges involved: 'The main unresolved issue is funding.' He also reassured fans that the iconic Miata will remain a cornerstone of the lineup regardless of a potential RX return.
Given that no final decision has been made, it’s unlikely that a new rotary sports car will hit the market before 2030, if it happens at all. For now, the dream of the RX lives on as an exciting possibility rather than a confirmed project.
As a relatively small automaker, Mazda’s cautious approach to approving a new RX model is understandable. With the current Miata generation approaching its 11th year, a new iteration is expected soon. Launching two niche enthusiast vehicles simultaneously would strain resources.
Still, it's encouraging that Mazda remains dedicated to the MX-5, promising to retain its rear-wheel-drive layout, manual transmission, lightweight design, and potentially a larger naturally aspirated engine.
