TKY2015: Mazda RX VISION Concept
Tokyo Motorshow 2015 is happening and Mazda released a bomb, a slightly overhyped bomb in the form of the RX VISION concept.
The RX VISION embodies hope of the company to create a front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car that uses a SKYACTIVE-R rotary engine. Yes, there’s your hype right there, the much beloved rotatory engine might see daylight again. As in 1991 Mazda achieved victory of the legendary Le Mans 24 hours race with a race car powered by a rotary engine it has since achieved a cult like status. The engine has been loved because of its character and lightweight capabilities, but hated for its high fuel consumption. The engine works via a rotational motion of a triangular rotor instead of having pistons in the combustion part of the engine.
KODO
The design is extreme, as expected of a concept. Highlighting KODO design traits, the RX-Vision still bears the Mazda family design face. Wide arches allow for a wide-track, the long nose allows for a front engine setup and the whole concept seems to be aimed at being aerodynamically efficient giving the organic shapes. Seeing the high quality cars that Mazda has presented us lately, I’m confident that if they go trough with the RX VISION it can achieve a high level of quality.
“…powered by the next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine.”.
Rotary
The most special thing about the RX VISION release is the following hopeful sentence in the press release: “…powered by the next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine.” I suppose many fans would cling onto the words “next generation”, meaning that the company is developing a new rotary engine. The new SKYACTIVE-R should keep the emission in check and increase the chance that the next RX will see daylight.
