Mazdathe iconic Japanese brand known for its passion for engine innovation, appears to be about to take a bold turn into the world of sports cars.
Read also: SEMA 2024: Toyota showed off the spectacular 4Runner and Tacoma
For years, enthusiasts of the firm have speculated about the return of a legendary model: the RX-8, famous for its distinctive rotary engine. This engine, also known as the Wankel engine, became a symbol of exclusivity and mechanical audacity, making the RX-8 a cult vehicle.
You can read: Volkswagen Tera: design, technology and versatility
Now, Mazda confirms that a new hybrid model is in development, and all signs point to it being a reinvention of this classic.
The company has shared details of this project with specialized media such as Autocar, hinting at its intention to launch a hybrid model with a configuration of three engines that will combine the best of two worlds: a rotary gasoline engine and two electric motors.
This scheme not only promises a joint power of 370 horsepowerbut represents a significant advance in the integration of hybrid technology with automotive tradition.
With this commitment, Mazda seeks to keep the heritage of its rotary engine alive, while adapting to new demands for sustainability and performance in the automotive industry.
The Iconic SP Concept: inspiration and future
The design of this new model is inspired by the Mazda Iconic SP Concepta prototype presented by Mazda a few years ago. Although at the time it was conceived solely as a design exercise, the positive reception it received among experts and fans has led the brand to reconsider its production.
Masahi Nakayama, Mazda’s head of design, recently commented that this concept car “it’s not just an empty display vehicle”and stressed that the intention from the beginning was to turn it into a production model.
This change in perspective reinforces the idea that Mazda seeks not only to innovate aesthetically, but also to offer a driving experience that reflects its historical values and, at the same time, responds to current needs.
A revolutionary mechanics: hybrid rotary engine
The mechanical configuration of this future hybrid model is, in itself, revolutionary. Mazda has opted for a scheme that fuses a Wankel rotary engine with two electric motors, an approach that, while maintaining the essence of the RX-8, provides the innovative touch that characterizes the brand.
With 370 HP, this hybrid configuration promises a powerful and agile driving experience, ideal for those seeking performance without giving up energy efficiency.
Mazda had already explored this configuration in the MX-30 R-EVits first electric vehicle with a rotary engine used as a power generator.
However, in this new model, the rotary engine plays a much more active role in performance, directly propelling the vehicle and providing a sporty experience that aligns with the philosophy of “drive to enjoy” from Mazda.
The rebirth of the RX-8: A sports car for a new era?
The mechanical characteristics and general design point to this model being positioned as the spiritual successor to the RX-8. At the time, the RX-8 stood out not only for its rotary engine, but also for its distinctive aesthetics and focus on sportiness.
Mazda seems to have rescued these key elements, adapting them to current technological advances and the growing market for hybrid vehicles.
This new RX-8 hybrid promises not only to be a tribute to its predecessor, but also a complete update that makes it a relevant and competitive model in the era of electrification.
Jeff Guyton, Mazda’s chief financial officer, recently stated that this hybrid concept “It’s not intended to be the next MX-5 or anything like that.”
With these words, Mazda hints that it is maintaining its traditional approach for the MX-5a model aimed at driving purists and which will likely include mild-hybrid support systems rather than a full hybrid system.
Thus, the RX-8 could be the model where Mazda deploys its most advanced vision in terms of hybrid technology, leaving the MX-5 in the role of classic sports car.
The promise of a light and efficient sports car
One of the main challenges for Mazda in the development of this hybrid model has been weight control. Hybrid vehicles, incorporating electric propulsion systems, tend to be heavier than their combustion equivalents.
However, Mazda has stressed that this sports car will have a lightweight chassiswhich will help preserve the agility and maneuverability of the vehicle, two qualities highly valued by lovers of the brand.
The reduced weight, combined with the power of the rotary engine and electric motors, promises a very favorable power-to-weight ratio.
This aspect will be crucial for the new RX-8 to maintain that direct and sporty driving feeling that has characterized Mazda in the past.
With this configuration, the RX-8 hybrid will not only be a fuel-efficient car, but also a vehicle that respects the essence of sporty driving and connection with the driver.
Outlook for the future of Mazda
The return of a model as symbolic as the RX-8 in a hybrid version not only marks a milestone in Mazda’s history, but also reveals the brand’s commitment to technological evolution and sustainability.
When entering a three-motor hybrid engine in its rangeMazda aims to adapt to the demands of the modern market, while continuing to honor its legacy of innovation and exclusivity in the automotive sector.
This 370 HP hybrid is a bold bet that fuses advanced technology with Mazda’s classic design and spirit.
Thus, the RX-8 hybrid seems destined to become a model that marks a new era for the company, allowing Mazda to maintain its identity in a constantly changing market, where efficiency and performance go hand in hand.
With this proposal, Mazda reaffirms its intention to lead the way towards sustainable mobility, without sacrificing the characteristics that have made its vehicles true icons of Japanese automotive engineering.