Mazda plots rotary sports car return

"Everybody is looking at me."

Kiyoshi Fujiwara, head of Mazda research and development, holds the fate of the rotary engine as the Japanese brand has made little secret of its desire to bring back the rotary in a production version of the RX-Vision concept launched at the 2015 Tokyo motor show, most likely wearing the RX-9 badge.

Despite already confirming that rotary will return as a range extender engine for a new electric Mazda, Fujiwara's biggest goal with rotary is to put it back into a sports car; following the success of iconic models including the Cosmo and RX-7.

Before that can happen, Fujiwara and his team of engineers must solve the fundamental problems that saw the rotary dropped in the first place; namely poor fuel efficiency, high emissions and a lack of low end torque.

Fujiwara, though, is confident those problems can be overcome and remains committed to reviving it in a sports car application.

"Rotary engine is suited for a performance car, especially for a lightweight sports car," he explained. "As you are aware the low torque at low rpm, therefore right away it helps the rotary engine. Therefore the sports car is suited to the rotary engine."

Despite speculation that the rotary could be used as part of a hybrid system in the RX-9, Fujiwara ruled it out - at least initially.

"Most of the Mazda fans and rotary fans are waiting for a pure sports car without any electrification, I believe," he said. "Because electrification requires the heavy weight of the battery and other systems, therefore more pure high performance models would be required by Mazda fans.

"So as a first step I'd like to try pure style, then as tougher and tougher regulations for emissions come in worldwide we need some form of electrification, but some smaller technology or smart system. As a first step, pure, that is our key word."

In a bid to resolve the problems around low rev performance and emissions Fujiwara admits the company is looking at various options, but only admitted to turbocharging.

"Turbocharging is one possibility for our small rotary engines, but I cannot say at this moment because it is still under development, which system is better," he said.

Despite the many problems the rotary configuration faces, Fujiwara and his colleagues are determined to revive the engine; or at least most of his colleagues.

"All of the engineers, all of the designers love rotary, love sports car but [not] some of the calculators?"

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