Currently reading: Mazda sticks with rotary power
All-new rotary engine is on the way for 2010

Mazda has confirmed it’s working on an all-new rotary engine for 2010.

This second-generation Renesis rotary, with more power and less thirst than today’s unit (as found in the RX-8), is the star act in a new round of Mazda powertrain technologies unveiled last week at a business conference in Tokyo.

As it reaffirms its commitment to rotary technology, Mazda will also begin leasing a Premacy (Japan’s version of the Mazda 5) with a hydrogen rotary hybrid in 2008 and launch a full production model using this Mazda-designed system by 2010.

Further ahead, Mazda also has an all-new hydrogen rotary engine with power equivalent to a 3.0-litre petrol engine and a range of some 250 miles under development.

From 2010, Mazda will start on the next wave of conventional petrol engines with 20 per cent improved economy and 15-25 per cent better performance on the cards.

New clean diesels, capable of meeting super-tough Euro6 and American regs, are also on the menu, along with new platforms and lighter vehicle architecture, all geared to lowering CO2 emissions.

Over the coming four years, Mazda will revamp the bulk of its range. Besides the new Mazda 2, Mazda also has a replacement for the Mazda 6 coming, expected to appear at October’s Tokyo show, using Mondeo underpinnings .

A new, still-secret core model will also be on the block by the plan’s end. Mazda won’t do a low-cost, A-segment city car for the forseeable future, so expect this to be a Mazda 3-sized C-segment family car.

Peter Nunn

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