2013 Audi A3

Next Mazda MX-5 To Go Rotary Hybrid? Maybe. But Probably Not.

 
2 1,148 views Jun 16, 2010
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2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept

HI-RES GALLERY: 2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept

There are often reports and rumors that circle the web, feeding off hopes, dreams, and the endless Ouroboros cycle of news, fan forums, and enthusiast sites. Some make the grade, and others don't. Today we have one that sits somewhere between: a rotary, hybrid next-gen MX-5.

The story: Best Car, the Japanese enthusiast magazine, has let it "leak" that Mazda is planning to shovel a 1.2-liter or 1.3-liter rotary engine into the next MX-5, or Roadster as it's known in its home market. The twist? A hybrid drivetrain linked up with it.

While the hybrid sports car fad in Japan appears to be taking off, the rest of the story doesn't really hold together: the MX-5/Roadster has never been a rotary from the factory; Mazda has just invested immense time and effort in developing its new SKY-G engines; a new RX-7/RX-8 replacement is expected soon to fill precisely this slot; and the expense, weight and complexity of it all would push the car well outside the MX-5's intended market.

In other words: we don't think so. What do you think? Have an inside line on the next MX-5? Or just a good argument for your position? Let us know below.

[Best Car via 7Tune]





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Comments (2)

  1. By Lane Posted: 6/16/2010 3:01pm PDT

    The current MX-5 is built from a shortened version of the RX-8 platform, so it is already capable of taking a rotary.
     
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  2. By Brad Litwin Posted: 3/19/2011 12:36am PDT

    If Mazda currently does not have a good foothold in the booming Hybrid market. Not only would a hybrid rotary Miata pack quite a punch giving the chassis the torque and top end power it has always needed, but it would also help secure Mazda's place in a sector of the hybrid market which is sadly underpopulated: Sport Compacts. Obviously I am ethusiastic. I drive a highly modified 99 Miata. If a hybrid rotary were to become a reality, it would be one of the only things that could get me to part with this fantastic car. Just don't make it too heavy!
     
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