Mazda’s rotary revival plans are one step closer to reality. The company is planning a two-rotor engine for America, and now, engineers are confident it’ll be able to pass today’s strictest emissions regulations.
“I decided to reopen the rotary engine development group and I gave a mission to them,” Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro told Road & Track. “That was to comply with stringent emissions regulations like LEV IV in the U.S., and Euro 7.”
Moro previously said a single-rotor engine wouldn’t be powerful enough for American audiences, hence the move to develop a dual-rotor powertrain.
“We know that rotary is not good at complying with emissions, that was the reason we decided to discontinue it in 2012,” Moro told R&T. “That is a very high hurdle they have to overcome, but in the last year the progress has been very encouraging.”
The only thing holding back Mazda from selling a rotary-powered vehicle now? How to sell it.
“The next challenge is… now you can support us in making a good business case,” Moro says. “But technically, we are almost ready—if we see a good business case, we’re ready to go.”
Mazda brought the rotary engine back into production in 2023, albeit as a range-extending generator for the MX-30 electric crossover sold overseas. This new two-rotor setup will likely be used in something sportier, though.
The Japanese automaker revealed last year it was considering putting a sporty vehicle into production, a-la the Iconic SP concept shown above. In R&T’s interview, Moro suggested such a car would likely not have a stick shift, but something quicker.
“If, let’s say—and we haven’t decided anything yet—if we do go to the super sports category, then [a gearbox] should be faster,” he said, “then probably not a manual, but a more advanced transmission technology can be used.”
It’s still unclear when we might see a real, actual production version, should the project be green-lit. If you’re in the market, make your voice heard. Take to social media and call your local dealer.
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