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50 engineers kept the rotary alive at Mazda for 8 years

The Mazda RX-Vision concept is one of the standouts at this year's Tokyo Motor Show thanks to a drop-dead gorgeous design and a revival of the Wankel engine. The fact that the rotary is still in development at Mazda is thanks to a dedicated group of 50 engineers. According to Automotive News, their dream for the last eight years has been to bring this storied engine design back to the street. It won't be easy. Because of its design, the rotary suffers from poor fuel economy and high emissions. Making the challenge even harder, Mazda reportedly only gives them a small budget, but they continue to chip away at the problem. "These 50 engineers want to develop the rotary engine, therefore they joined Mazda," company research and development boss Kiyoshi Fujiwara told AN. "If I stop the rotary engine, probably they want to leave." For the Skyactiv-R under the RX-Vision's svelte hood, the team reportedly started from the 16X rotary project. Dating back to 2007, that 1.6-liter engine was supposed to improve torque and fuel economy thanks in part to direct injection. After additional development, insiders even suggested that the engineers might have finally solved the powerplant's issues. However, Mazda never put the mill into production, and the RX-8 remains the company's last Wankel-powered model to be offered in showrooms. "We have a dream that one day, this design with a rotary engine will achieve a level that customers will accept," CEO Masamichi Kogai said to AN. Mazda is quite clear that the RX-Vision might never go on sale without a suitable rotary. Although if it does see production, the coupe would likely use a stiffened version of the Miata's chassis, AN reports. Before anyone can place an order, these 50 determined engineers still have a lot of work ahead of them. Related Video:

Here's what you had to say about the Tokyo Motor Show

We obsessively covered the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. You, our readers, provided the color commentary. Read on and, of course, leave your comments below. Subaru Viziv Performance Concept: Remember the WRX concept they showed in 2013, and what the production version looked like in 2015? Pepperidge Farm remembers. wooootles 2 foot high wing on the trunk or gtfo :) sc0rch3d Mazda Kai Concept : Dear Honda, this is how you dynamically style a hatchback. Thank you. Dfelix70 Kudos to KODO design. There are so many things I love about this "Kai" car: the awesome split panoramic sunroof, the Jaguar-esque tails (sporting an "eyebrow up"... ala The Rock), a sleek family resemblance to the already beautiful CX-5 and CX-9. Seems suspiciously close to being a production ready Mazda3 — save for a few fanciful bits (door handles, mirrors etc). If it doesn't get too watered down by the time it hits the streets ... take my money! Randy Ross Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept: As an 06 IX and 12 X owner, this is so upsetting. I will never buy this or care to give it another look. Hope you are glad you killed my favorite track-ready car to produce this electric junk. AcidTonic Picture the GT-R going away for a few years and coming back as an SUV. This is ridiculous. Surely someone in marketing could've came up with another cool name. Evo The Evo sedan is dead, whether this exists or not. I don't mind. Lada1200 Honda Sports EV Concept : I sure would like to see this "less is more" design aesthetic spread to their gas-powered production line. RustyShackleford Love it. I see glimpses of late 1970 Scirocco with Honda flair. Gintonics I just want ONE question answered in the affirmative, and that is... "RWD?" Henadenk AND A FEW FROM FACEBOOK: Toyota's press conference: Wake me up when they talk about the Supra. David Levinson Yamaha Cross Hub Concept: All I can think is modern day Brat, which has its own kind of charm. I'm assuming that it's a unibody design, but it seems happy to be its own thing rather than that crossover pretending to be a pickup called the Ridgeline. Would definitely take the Yamaha over the Honda, although I doubt it'll come to the states. Cole Henry Mazda Vision Coupe Concept: Face: KIA K7, Tail: Aston martin. Harold Shin A bit British, no? Jim Lykas Related Video: News Source: Honda, Toyota, YamahaImage Credit: Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi Auto News Green Tokyo Auto Salon Tokyo Motor Show Honda Mazda Mitsubishi Subaru Toyota 2017 tokyo motor show

Autoblog Podcast #523 | BMWs, Trackhawk and Mazda's new engine technology

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale. We discuss a couple of BMWs, the upcoming BMW X7 three-row SUV and our short-term BMW M760i with a turbocharged, 600-horsepower V12. We also cover the week's news, including Mazda's nifty engine technology it will roll out in the next few years, as well as pricing on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The rundown is below. Remember, if you have a car-related question you'd like us to answer or you want buying advice of your very own, send a message or a voice memo to podcast@autoblog.com. (If you record audio of a question with your phone and get it to us, you could hear your very own voice on the podcast. Neat, right?) And if you have other questions or comments, please send those too. Autoblog Podcast #523The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Topics and stories we mention Rundown BMW X7 Spy Shots Volkswagen Passat GT Mazda's future engine technology Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Pricing BMW M760i driving Ram 2500 driving Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show on iTunes