Comments on: Mazda to pair Toyota hybrid tech with rotary power for next RX-8? http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: rarson http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-612095 rarson Wed, 25 May 2011 22:11:57 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-612095 Yeah, but this is clearly a problem with Mazda recommending the wrong oil, not a problem with the rotary itself. Use a 30-weight oil and the engine will indeed last (and there's also a misconception that the rotary requires non-synthetic... it doesn't, it just requires the RIGHT synthetic). The problem is that the rotary requires a bit more attention to maintenance than your average car by virtue of it burning oil (which itself is a band-aid used because Mazda knows it can't rely on owners to add premix every time they fill up). It's ridiculous that Mazda would recommend the wrong oil, but owning a rotary is a little more involved than taking it to the dealership for oil changes. Remove the OMP system, premix, and use the right motor oil, and I guarantee you the Renesis will last at least 150k before requiring a rebuild (which is also, by the way, a lot easier and cheaper to do than rebuilding a piston engine). Yeah, but this is clearly a problem with Mazda recommending the wrong oil, not a problem with the rotary itself. Use a 30-weight oil and the engine will indeed last (and there’s also a misconception that the rotary requires non-synthetic… it doesn’t, it just requires the RIGHT synthetic). The problem is that the rotary requires a bit more attention to maintenance than your average car by virtue of it burning oil (which itself is a band-aid used because Mazda knows it can’t rely on owners to add premix every time they fill up). It’s ridiculous that Mazda would recommend the wrong oil, but owning a rotary is a little more involved than taking it to the dealership for oil changes.

Remove the OMP system, premix, and use the right motor oil, and I guarantee you the Renesis will last at least 150k before requiring a rebuild (which is also, by the way, a lot easier and cheaper to do than rebuilding a piston engine).

]]> By: FordFanBoy http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-612059 FordFanBoy Wed, 25 May 2011 20:10:22 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-612059 Stop being stubborn and drop the rotary. I'd rather see a turbo 4 banger piston engine in a light body than a hybrid. Stop being stubborn and drop the rotary. I’d rather see a turbo 4 banger piston engine in a light body than a hybrid.

]]> By: iggibiggi http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-612013 iggibiggi Wed, 25 May 2011 18:12:33 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-612013 Might turn out to be an interesting combination, but I know I would never be interested in one. Might turn out to be an interesting combination, but I know I would never be interested in one.

]]> By: leftwingagenda http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-612006 leftwingagenda Wed, 25 May 2011 17:47:09 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-612006 weren't there rumors a few months back that the next mx-5 was going to be a "back to basics" lighter version?? this news seems directly contrary, if the miata will be based on the new rx-whatever platform... weren’t there rumors a few months back that the next mx-5 was going to be a “back to basics” lighter version?? this news seems directly contrary, if the miata will be based on the new rx-whatever platform…

]]> By: DB9 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611984 DB9 Wed, 25 May 2011 16:47:12 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611984 Rarson, there have been a lot of problems with the rotary over the years; they're not noted for their longevity. The current issues are oil burning and premature engine failure, e.g., http://forums.automotive.com/70/6210886/mazda/mazda-rx-8s-engine-failure-problem/index.html DB9;-) Rarson, there have been a lot of problems with the rotary over the years; they’re not noted for their longevity. The current issues are oil burning and premature engine failure, e.g.,

http://forums.automotive.com/70/6210886/mazda/mazda-rx-8s-engine-failure-problem/index.html

DB9;-)

]]> By: beatusmongous http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611979 beatusmongous Wed, 25 May 2011 16:29:33 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611979 2,800 lbs. is about what my old Z weighed. I would have an interest in something like that. 2,800 lbs. is about what my old Z weighed. I would have an interest in something like that.

]]> By: beatusmongous http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611975 beatusmongous Wed, 25 May 2011 16:26:34 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611975 This is exactly what I'm hoping they will do. A small rotary can generate enough horsepower to charge a decent battery for a bigger electric motor. However, given that they're working with Toyota on this one, parallel hybrid (Synergy) is most likely what they're looking to do. This is exactly what I’m hoping they will do. A small rotary can generate enough horsepower to charge a decent battery for a bigger electric motor.

However, given that they’re working with Toyota on this one, parallel hybrid (Synergy) is most likely what they’re looking to do.

]]> By: rarson http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611948 rarson Wed, 25 May 2011 15:41:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611948 Actually, a lot of enthusiasts care about the rotary engine. They're just not in big enough numbers to drive sales on their own. Sounds to me like they're not planning on making the RX any bigger. It would appear (based on how the article is worded) that they're planning on building something between the 2500-lb Miata and 3100-lb RX-8, which would put it conveniently around 2800 lbs, or about the weight of the last RX-7. Great news for the RX-9, but not so great news for the Miata. Assuming that the next RX is still intended to use the 16X rotary, we could see a fairly light car similar to the 3rd gen RX-7 with more power (probably at least 280 hp) without having to use any turbos. Actually, a lot of enthusiasts care about the rotary engine. They’re just not in big enough numbers to drive sales on their own.

Sounds to me like they’re not planning on making the RX any bigger. It would appear (based on how the article is worded) that they’re planning on building something between the 2500-lb Miata and 3100-lb RX-8, which would put it conveniently around 2800 lbs, or about the weight of the last RX-7. Great news for the RX-9, but not so great news for the Miata.

Assuming that the next RX is still intended to use the 16X rotary, we could see a fairly light car similar to the 3rd gen RX-7 with more power (probably at least 280 hp) without having to use any turbos.

]]> By: rarson http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611943 rarson Wed, 25 May 2011 15:22:12 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611943 "They lag in performance, fuel economy and reliability" Wrong. Granted, the fuel economy and emissions of the rotary engine aren't great, but the RX-8 has plenty performance for what it was intended to do, and the rotary is rock-solid, WAY more reliable than most piston engines. “They lag in performance, fuel economy and reliability”

Wrong. Granted, the fuel economy and emissions of the rotary engine aren’t great, but the RX-8 has plenty performance for what it was intended to do, and the rotary is rock-solid, WAY more reliable than most piston engines.

]]> By: ElvisHasLeftTheBldg http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611936 ElvisHasLeftTheBldg Wed, 25 May 2011 14:48:36 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611936 I give Mazda a lot of credit - they build affordable sporty cars when others won't dare. Yeah! I mean you, Honda. I've loved Mazdas since my first car - an '82 GLC (and it was a great little car). Having said that.... No one cares about the rotary engine and its part of this marque. They should forget the rotary and concentrate on Sky engines, even for this RX-whatever. Instead of making a large RX-9 and Miata, they should make a throw back to the RX7. Make it fun and affordable and great looking. Keep the Miata where its at. Get rid of the RX8, and stop counting up. Mazda should be putting some serious effort into reviving the 6. A 5dr and wagon would be great if they used the shortened euro versions. Their recent vehicles have been more comedy, less 'zoom zoom'. I give Mazda a lot of credit – they build affordable sporty cars when others won’t dare. Yeah! I mean you, Honda. I’ve loved Mazdas since my first car – an ’82 GLC (and it was a great little car). Having said that….

No one cares about the rotary engine and its part of this marque. They should forget the rotary and concentrate on Sky engines, even for this RX-whatever.

Instead of making a large RX-9 and Miata, they should make a throw back to the RX7. Make it fun and affordable and great looking. Keep the Miata where its at. Get rid of the RX8, and stop counting up.

Mazda should be putting some serious effort into reviving the 6. A 5dr and wagon would be great if they used the shortened euro versions. Their recent vehicles have been more comedy, less ‘zoom zoom’.

]]> By: johnnycanuck http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611930 johnnycanuck Wed, 25 May 2011 14:40:02 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611930 I've always thought the solution was pretty simple... stuff a rotary in the nose of the Miata as an optional engine. Why do you think the original RX-7 is such an icon... because it weighed f*ck all. And that's what the Wankel needs to really shine... a lightweight chassis that doesn't depend on a lot of torque to get it rolling. There aren't many cars lighter than the Miata these days. I’ve always thought the solution was pretty simple… stuff a rotary in the nose of the Miata as an optional engine. Why do you think the original RX-7 is such an icon… because it weighed f*ck all. And that’s what the Wankel needs to really shine… a lightweight chassis that doesn’t depend on a lot of torque to get it rolling. There aren’t many cars lighter than the Miata these days.

]]> By: Dark Gnat http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611925 Dark Gnat Wed, 25 May 2011 14:24:23 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611925 If they go the Volt route (make the Electric motor the main motivator while using a small internal combustion engine to recharge the batteries/extend range), then yeah - this could work. One advantage of rotary engines is they can be much smaller than reciprocating engines. They don't have to run on gasoline. Propane or even hydrogen will run in properly designed engines. If it is not directly connected to the wheels, then it wouldn't need to be very large at all. Smaller engine would also be lighter. Maybe they have something up their sleeve. If they go the Volt route (make the Electric motor the main motivator while using a small internal combustion engine to recharge the batteries/extend range), then yeah – this could work.

One advantage of rotary engines is they can be much smaller than reciprocating engines. They don’t have to run on gasoline. Propane or even hydrogen will run in properly designed engines. If it is not directly connected to the wheels, then it wouldn’t need to be very large at all. Smaller engine would also be lighter.

Maybe they have something up their sleeve.

]]> By: DrFill http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611913 DrFill Wed, 25 May 2011 13:57:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611913 The Rotary needs a side order of brains to cut it in the 21st century Toyota plays Dr Frankenstein in this movie DrFill The Rotary needs a side order of brains to cut it in the 21st century

Toyota plays Dr Frankenstein in this movie
DrFill

]]> By: DB9 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611901 DB9 Wed, 25 May 2011 11:38:58 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611901 Give it up Mazda. What's the point? The rotary should be consigned to the dust-bin of automotive history. They lag in performance, fuel economy and reliability - why bother? The orginal RX-7's were great little cars, the 2nd and 3rd generation also had good points but what's come after has been a cruel joke. DB9;-) PS. The sky powertrains better be good cuz if not I worry for Mazda; besides the 3 there's just not much there and nothing "publicly" on the horizon. Give it up Mazda. What’s the point? The rotary should be consigned to the dust-bin of automotive history. They lag in performance, fuel economy and reliability – why bother? The orginal RX-7′s were great little cars, the 2nd and 3rd generation also had good points but what’s come after has been a cruel joke.

DB9;-)

PS. The sky powertrains better be good cuz if not I worry for Mazda; besides the 3 there’s just not much there and nothing “publicly” on the horizon.

]]> By: Hyperion http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-rx-9.html#comment-611900 Hyperion Wed, 25 May 2011 11:08:59 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=48130#comment-611900 Good for the RX-9 but not so good for the MX-5 Miata. That car need not be any bigger. And LNN, you must change the RX-* references in this article: The RX-7 was the famous discontinued car that will gain a successor. The RX-9 is the car in-development that Mazda is talking about. The RX-8 is the vehicle with the suicide doors but it is NOT the car you're referring to at the beginning of the article-- that being the high performance RX-7. Good for the RX-9 but not so good for the MX-5 Miata. That car need not be any bigger.

And LNN, you must change the RX-* references in this article:

The RX-7 was the famous discontinued car that will gain a successor.

The RX-9 is the car in-development that Mazda is talking about.

The RX-8 is the vehicle with the suicide doors but it is NOT the car you’re referring to at the beginning of the article– that being the high performance RX-7.

]]>