Will We See a Mazda RX-Vision?
4 ft in length
3 ft in width
8 ft tall.
While the new RX-Vision didn’t make its debut yet, some of the car’s design features can be spotted on the new Mazda 3. Ikuo Maeda talked about the RX-Vision and stated that when the brand decides that it needs a sports car that’s when the car will be produced. He also noted that Mazda already has its MX-5, and once if it needs a more premium sports car then there will be a serious think about it. Ichiro Hirose, Mazda’s product planning boss threw his two cents in as well and stated that he believes as soon as the company’s profit situation gets better they will be able to proceed in the direction necessary to make it a product.
Besides being revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show (where it was voted the most beautiful concept car of the year in 2015), the vehicle made the rounds at a number of global events in 2015. Besides its stunning design that caught everyone’s attention, the concept's other significant focus was its RX label, which was hinting at a rotary engine revival. The Japanese company ahs a long history when it comes to producing rotary-engined cars, but despite this fact Mazda has not had such a vehicle in its line-up since 2012, when the RX-8 went out of production.
However, the company has confirmed that in 2020 a rotary-engined hybrid range extender will see the light of day. Despite the fact that no announcement was made stating how big the rotary extender will be, except for the fact that it will be small, and developed to run on both LPG gas and liquid petroleum. Mazda expects that by 2030 internal combustion engines coupled with some form of electrification will represent 95% of the vehicles the company produces, while full-electric battery vehicles will represent 5%.
The CEO Chips In
While Mazda’s Chief Executive Officer Akira Marumoto noted that he wants his company to build a production version of the Mazda RX-Vision concept, he also warns that the vehicle remains a dream. Speaking at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, during an Australian media interview he pointed out that the RX-Vision is a vision model for design development, which means that the company did not assume mass production, but Marmumoto did state that he wants to have one. He explained that one day the company wants to build the car, however, if it will be built for the market it should be a brand icon.
While there were rumors that the model will be a new upmarket model or a template for the return of the rotary-engine as part of Mazda’s 2020 line-up (which will be Mazda’s centenary year), Marumoto confirmed in Los Angeles that no decision has been made in regards to the return of rotary power to its engine bays. One thing is for certain however, Akira Marumoto is adamant that any production version of the vehicle concept would not be electric. He mentioned that he prefers the smell of gasoline, especially since it would be a sports car – he pointed out that EV can be considered as a commuter, except not in this situation.
Some reports indicate that the RX-Vision’s engine could be a turbocharged 1.6 liter two-rotor unit, which would be dishing out approximately 400 hp. Other rumors have pointed out that its engine could be a hybrid rotary, with about 450 hp. It’s difficult to speculate how close is Mazda to unveiling a production version of the concept, however, in 2017 an RX-8 mule was spotted at the Nurburgring undergoing track tests.
Still Rumors
A front-engine, RWD sports car, with a next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary power unit, and Mazda’s KODO design characteristics is highly desirable. Add to that the sleek concept looks that the RX-Vision teased and you have a vehicle that any car enthusiast would be thrilled to see, and something that could go head to head with anything from Jaguar F-Type to Porsche Cayman. While many high officials within the company noted their desire to see the project come to fruition, at this moment there have been no official announcement made about the possibility of the RX-Vision being put on the market.
