Mazda is set on reviving the rotary engine in 2017 when it plans to launch successors to both its RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars.

With 2017 marking Mazda’s 50th anniversary of its first car powered by a Wankel rotary engine, the timing of the launches are rather well-planned.

Both new Mazda sports cars will be bigger, and more powerful, than the Mazda MX-5 roadster. Importantly, the new cars should be more efficient and reliable than the cars they will be replacing. Mazda engineers are hard at work at solving and finding ways to counter high fuel and oil consumption and low torque without having to bolt a turbo on the engine.

It is believed that Mazda’s SkyActiv technology will be incorporated in the new engines, which favours shedding weight and using high compression ratios to boost power and efficiency from naturally aspirated engines.

The new rotary engine is rumoured to deliver around 225 kW, mated to six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions. As is custom for Mazda sports cars, the new vehicles will feature rear-wheel drive on an extended version of the new MX-5’s platform to accommodate the more powerful powertrain.

Mazda is likely to use a two-door coupe body style instead of a four-door configuration.

- Charlen Raymond

Original article from Car