There’s a rule in journalism: if a story refuses to die, there’s probably something behind it. The rumored return of Mazda’s rotary-powered RX sports car fits that rule. Barely.
For years, automotive experts, patent followers, and loyal fans have wondered: Is Mazda making an RX-9? Or are we chasing the ghost of an engine that engineers gave up on a decade ago?
Here’s what’s real
Mazda unveiled a concept car in October 2023 called the Iconic SP at the Japan Mobility Show. It’s a sleek, two-door sports car with a rotary engine—but not the way enthusiasts remember it. The dual-rotor setup generates power for an electric drivetrain. It produces a total of 370 horsepower, as stated in Mazda’s press materials.
This approach, using a rotary engine as a range-extender, is not entirely new. In early 2023, Mazda launched an MX-30 variant in Europe and Japan, featuring a small rotary engine that recharges the! battery while driving. As reported by Autocar UK in August, the system is quiet, smooth, and unobtrusive, but its modest power output makes it more of a proof-of-concept than a high-performance vehicle.
Mazda has filed several patents over the past five years, suggesting they are still working on rotary technology. One 2020 patent revealed a hybrid design featuring in-wheel motors, capacitors, and a rotary generator, which could shape future production. That same year, the company trademarked a new “R” logo in Japan, fueling speculation about a rotary comeback.
Here’s what’s not confirmed
Despite the buzz, Mazda has not confirmed any production plans for a car called RX-9, nor has it committed to building a performance coupe based on the Iconic SP. Reports from outlets like CarWow UK suggest that 2026 is the earliest a vehicle of that type could reach production. But that’s speculative, not sourced from Mazda itself.
So we’re left with sketches, patents, and a concept car. But that’s more than we’ve had in years.
Rotary, revisited
The rotary engine is both fascinating and frustrating technology. It has no pistons, just a triangle spinning in an oval. It’s light, compact, and rev-happy. It helped Mazda win Le Mans in 1991, the only Japanese brand to do so with a rotary engine.
But it’s also a headache. Rotary engines burn oil, run hot, and struggle to meet modern emissions standards. Apex seals are tiny pieces that close off the combustion chamber. They tend to wear out fast, which means you may need to rebuild the engine sooner than you thought. Mazda’s last rotary sports car, the RX-8, was discontinued in 2012, mainly because it failed to meet stricter regulations in Europe and the U.S.
Inside Mazda, the rotary engine has long been more than just a feat of engineering – it embodies the company’s spirit of innovation. In a 2011 interview, Takashi Yamanouchi, the then-CEO, told reporters that Mazda would always have at least one rotary-powered vehicle as long as he was with the company, according to Reuters.
Kenichi Yamamoto, the mastermind behind Mazda’s rotary program, saw the technology as his greatest personal and professional achievement. In a quote published by Japanese Nostalgic Car after his passing in 2017, Yamamoto expressed how deeply honored he felt to have worked on the engine, which represented a unique blend of technological accomplishment and emotional significance for him and his colleagues. They were more than just engineers – they were passionate advocates. Their vision has shaped the steady progress we’re seeing today.
In Japan, Yamamoto is regarded as the father of the rotary engine. Although Felix Wankel conceived the idea, Yamamoto studied, developed, and refined it into a practical product. Thanks to his efforts, Mazda successfully brought it to life, continually improving it over the decades, and ultimately delivering it into people’s hands, lives, and hearts. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to be felt for many years to come.
The opportunity now
Mazda’s plan to use the rotary engine as an electric generator, rather than the main drive, could address most of its past issues.
By running at a constant RPM and temperature, the rotary engine avoids the high-stress fluctuations that can cause mechanical failure. This allows for more precise emission control. Oil consumption becomes a predictable, stable factor. Additionally, since electric motors power the wheels, torque and responsiveness are no longer restricted by the engine’s limitations.
In short, it’s not about bringing the rotary back as it was—it’s about making it useful in a way that makes sense in 2025 and beyond.
The case for cautious optimism
From a commercial standpoint, a rotary-electric RX sports car is niche, expensive, and high-risk. It’s also exactly the kind of product that builds long-term brand identity and loyalty. Mazda’s leadership has said as much over the years: they want to keep rotary technology alive as a symbol of the company’s engineering DNA.
Whether the RX-9 becomes a reality or not, what’s clear is that Mazda still sees value in the rotary engine, even if only as a generator.
The real test lies ahead when the company must scale this technology in a reliable and affordable way and persuade regulators that small combustion engines still belong in a future with zero emissions. If they succeed, the RX-9 may finally become a reality!
If they can’t, the dream lives on – in patents, concept sketches, and the hearts of those who’ve ever heard a rotary engine roar at full throttle.