Mazda: Rotary Lives, No V6, and Miata's Future

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 17, 2012

Car & Driver recently spoke with Robert Davis, Mazda’s senior vice president of U.S. Operations about the future of the rotary engine, V6, and the Miata.

With the Rotary engine, Davis said to expect the technologies seen on the Skyactiv Mazda3 and CX-5 for a revived rotary. Those technologies include reduced internal friction, reduced rotating mass, and more-efficient transmissions. Mazda is also looking at using the Rotary as a way to drive an electric motor.

Davis also talked about the future of the V6 at the Mazda. Currently, two vehicles have a V6, the Mazda6 and CX-9 crossover. When the two vehicles enter their next generation, both will likely go with four-cylinders only, which means the V6 engine has a murky future.

Car & Driver also pressed Davis about the next Miata. Davis didn't say much we didn't already know. When asked whether or not Mazda would build anything like the Miata Spyder and Super20 concepts, Davis responded,

“We would love to. Pay attention: There are some special editions coming that I think your readers will like.”

Source: Car & Driver