Mazda confirms next-generation rotary engine, outlines future vehicle technologies

Update: More details on the new Rotary here.

Mazda has released a ‘mission statement’ of sorts, revealing some crucial details about its future model lineup. Like every other car manufacturer, Mazda has realised it needs to develop more eco-friendly cars and has stated that it will continue working on hydrogen technologies rather than pursue hybrids.

With the RX-8 being the only car on the market with a rotary engine, fans have been worried that Mazda was planning to dump rotaries and concentrate on traditional engines. Those worries have now been put to rest. Mazda will develop a next-generation rotary engine for its vehicles from 2010 that has improved power and fuel efficiency. Hopefully this will debut in the successor model to the RX-8.

Petrol engines will get an upgrade from the beginning of the next decade, too, while Japanese market cars will get an engine start-stop system to reduce emissions in peak hour traffic. A set of new automatic transmissions and diesel engines are also in the pipeline to increase penetration in the European market.

Mazda also emphasized that vehicles need to be made lighter and said that the new Mazda2 weighs approximately 100kg less than the previous model – a tough task considering how small the car already is.