http://jalopnik.com/5921410/the-last...has-been-built

 

Not true.

In fact, I'm currently in the process of building one myself.

 

Good one, Ray.

 

<--- building an 85 6 port

 

As the article says, I don't think the rotary engine is gone forever, although I don't agree with the article in saying that it will be only seen in niche markets. I think Mazda will push on with development of a cleaner and more fuel efficient version. Increased displacement and different hard seals within the engine to reduce the amount of oil needed for lubrication could be the starting point. Reducing fuel consumption will also reduce emissions if they can work it such that the engine wastes less fuel. Direct injection technology, which Mazda is already good at, may be part of the solution for this as well.

 

The last one I built, I just fired up today.

 

i thought the x16 was being tested and worked on by mazda with direct injection
correct me if i am wrong.

 

Currently....Mazda is putting all of its eggs in one basket with its Skyactiv technology. Its proven to be a success so far. I think if they sell enough boingers, it would lead to the funding to continue the development of the rotary. The same way Porche needs to sell Cayenne SUV's in order to keep producing the super cars like the GT3. I doubt we have seen the last of Mazda Rotary Engines.

 

The skyactiv is fricken excellent they will sell many of them. Just as long as they do not discontinue GSL-SE and 13BREW rotor housings as well as keep all the seals in current production for another 20 years.

Skyactiv-D CX-5 is very pokey and handles. Handling wise It feels more like a well planted 4 door AWD sedan than a hatch trying to be an SUV. Not to mention the comfort.

 

I just bought a Skyactiv Mazda3, dolphin gray, we call him Flipper:



Part of my reasoning was to support Mazda's decision to go with developing highly efficient internal combustion engines, leaving the hybrid experiment to other manufacturers.

The Mazda3 is a fantastic car, very responsive, smooth, comfortable and very high safety ratings.

I'm only on the third tank of gas but so far I'm averaging 38.3 mpg OVERALL fuel economy. Incredible.

Now if they would just turn that Skyactiv approach on a 12A rotary engine and put it in a small, lightweight affordable two seater (aka an updated FB) we'd be back in business.

 

I just read the official statement, all that they have said is that the 13B Renesis is no more. I see this like when they discontinued the 12A.. Hopefully this is them saying that the 16X is near complete... that just mah 2c , and this may not be completely relevant but I will stick to this, and hope that something may come out of this

 

Wow, that's a cool video. The Wankel is the future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cST7a...ayer_embedded#!

 

Dont forget to mention that older folks tend to cruise below the speed limit. Part throttle, no erratic driving equates to higher mpg lol

 

Hypermiling can be fun, but driving below the speed limit is a bit extreme, don't you think?

Now if Mazda would just introduce a 30 mph rotary powered two seater.

 

I also read up on that article on the day it was released. I do believe that there is a comeback in progress for the Rotary though, through a few videos I've watched where Mazda can't deny that they are coming back with a RWD coupe that "may" have a Rotary engine.

Not to bring up old threads here, but for an example

In the description there's explanations for the breakdown of the video.

40-41 - New RWD coupe Shinari concept car from Mazda, first thing I really noticed in the commercial when I saw it.


They never really delve into what powers the Shinari or if there's an RX-9 in progress or the rebirth of the RX-7 name. I believe whatever comes next would have FF as the VIN tag, and will be awesome no matter what.

My $0.02

 

i'v heard that recently the shinari concept may be adapted to being the next gen mazda 6 i mean the shinari is a 4-5 seater

 

That Shinari looks like my Flipper, with an attitude. I like it.

Hope it goes rotary.

 

There is still a possibility of a coupe version of the shinari, if so then I might cry tears of joy lol

 

The scion Frs is "Exactly" what a reborn rx7 should havebeen!!

If the 16x platform was revolutionary and it was in that car for that price then holy ****.

To a grassroots FB enthusiast wanting a new car, that would be (and is) the holy grail.

 

I just bought a 2012 Mazda2. Sadly not skyactiv officially (although part of skyactic is weight savings, and the 2 is a scant 2200lbs, or 300lbs less than the fiesta it's based on), but I average 38-40mpg mixed regardless.

 

Mazda Kabura!!!

BUT WHY DID THEY SHOOT IT DOWN!!!! ANGRY!!!



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HfMT7k0oZo...abura-1-lg.jpg






.

 

I was real tempted by the Mazda2 because by all accounts it's sportier, smaller and a bit less expensive.

But when I did the across-the-board comparisons it just seemed you get more bang for your buck with the 3, a bit more safety and carrying capacity (for the Home Depot runs) and, with the SkyActiv technology, even better gas mileage (but Starfox may be proving that incorrect!).

Almost all my traveling is out on the interstate, mixing it up with the Atlanta traffic at 70-80 mph, so the bigger car with the same or better gas mileage seemed to make sense.

Plus I love that grin.

It appears Mazda will phase in SkyActiv on all it's boingers over the next year or two. If so, look for the Mazda2 to be getting 40-50 mpg mileage, which could make the 2 a candidate to replace our 10 year old MP5 in the next few years (or else the CX-5 if we want to go big, that's a nice machine too).

Hopefully Mazda will use some of that SkyActiv thinking and methodology on a two seater, rear wheel drive, 30+ mpg, rotary powered sports car with Shinari styling. That rendition could then properly call the Fourth Generation RX-7.

 

The Skyactiv-D CX-5 I sometimes drive has averaged 37.4mpg over its first 6000 miles.

6 speed auto with full torque at 2000 and full power at 4500 is really great to drive. Its always in the right gear and it does learn what gear you want to be in. I believe its 100% positively more efficient and faster than it would be with a manual. Remember this is a 3500+lb car!

 

My mileage has taken a hit in the warmer weather. I'm now getting around 36-38 typically. Still, the mileage is far higher than the EPA rated of 29,35. I drive my car hard and I've never been below 34mpg avg (calculated) for a tank. It's also way more fun than any 100hp hatchback has a right to be. It's not much slower than my GSL-SE either! Every user-input device (steering, clutch, gear shift, etc) just feels so magically perfect. I remember I test drove the 2 immediately after test driving a Fiat 500. At first I was disappointed...the interior just doesn't have the same style, but after driving it, I couldn't even think about the 500. It's just so much more satisfying to drive.

I'm sure the 3, especially with skyactiv, is also a hoot to drive. It was out of my budget though. I needed cheap. Like cheap as hell. I wish they would release a Mazdaspeed2 with the 2.0 skyactiv powerplant. That would be so epic. 150hp in a 2200lbs car that does 55-60mpg. Perfection!

 

I drove a Mazda3 5 speed manual without the Skyactiv engine before settling on the 3 with Skyactiv and a 6 speed manual transmission. Both have excellent handling and as you say "user input devices" that are magically perfect, but the one thing that is quite noticeable is how much more sporty the 5 speed is than the 6 speed. I suspect the Mazda2 also shares that edge in sportiness.

But with the Skyactiv 3 I'm now on my 4th tank of gas and still getting 38+ mpg overall, highway speeds over 70 plus mixed around town driving, all with the AC blasting. Couldn't be happier.

And once I get my new rotary 12A engine built later this summer I'll be able to count on my '84 GSL once or twice a week when I need that maximum zoom experience. That should be good until they get that hydrogen fueled 12A developed for the Kabura: