Next MX-5 to be Rotary?

[elhashbrown]

Did anyone else notice this?

http://www.convertiblecarmagazine.com/2015-mazda-m...

Could be interesting.

[Flatinfourth]

I for one dont look forward to an MX5 with an engine with the life of a timing belt.

[HereBeMonsters]

I've always wondered if they'd ever do this.

The problem is, part of the MX-5s appeal is the epic reliability. You're ruining that when you put a rotary in there, imo.

[otolith]

No chance. The fuel economy would kill it.

[threespires]

I can see the logic of a tiny rotary as a range extender in an electric car.

[AndyMk2]

What a silly article.

[GarryDK]

God I hope not!

[MG CHRIS]

As so many articles have come up with the official pictures of the new mx5 without mazda even unveiling them then this is another one that is talking utter bs.

The wanhle rotary is considered for the new rx7/8 in 2017 but will never be put into a mx5.

[Ab Shocks]

The whole thing is wild speculation and just to make things worse they talk about the new Sky Active engines and then send out a film of the new car that is obviously turbo charged.
The new rotary will be much better according to what we hear but as far as we are concerned the longevity of the old unit is not in question if you look after it properly, we regularly get cars in for rebuild with milages in excess of 100k and the record is 200k

[flyer0]

Surely a rotary engined car couldn't be an MX5 and would have to have an RX name?

[cianha]

It makes less sense now than at any point in the MX5's history to fit a Rotary.
My guess? It'll either be an existing Mazda engine, or a variant, not a completely new unit. My guess is the 1.5 Skyactiv unit already in the Mazda 3, where it has 100hp, so it's not unthinkable that c. 130 hp is possible with tweakery.
The Nd is lighter than the car it's replacing, so it should be plenty.

[rotarymazda]

A new rotary would be the 16X engine which has been worked on for years, should be good for 300bhp without forced induction. I don't see it being remotely possible that they would put that in the new MX5.

Rotary emissions are bad, fuel economy awful so it's no good for mass production in a time of high (tax) petrol prices. It is however, rather good for a low mileage, lightweight sports car which doesn't have to meet current CO2 limits.

That's why I had one custom made, a 240bhp ported rotary from an RX8 into a MK1 MX5.

I'd be surprised if any new rotary car came out of Mazda in the future, RX5, RX7, RX9 or anything else.

[Ab Shocks]

Its got to be Sky Active in the ND surely, could we dare to hope for the 1500 with a turbo but already heard mention of 2L Sky Active so that will be that.