The company is said to be using the new MX-5 Miata platform, outfitted with a rotary engine. It will likely remain a two-seat roadster, rather than stretching to accommodate two rear-seat passengers, according to an Autocar report.
The two-seat layout is expected to be the reasoning for reviving the RX-7 name, or potentially RX-6, as the term RX-9 could be conceived as the same size as the four-door RX-8.
Mazda’s European research-and-development VP, Kenichiro Saruwatari, has confirmed that the company maintains dozens of engineers dedicated to rotary-engine development. Progress is said to have been made through partnerships with Japanese universities and NASA, which has helped pick a suitable material for the wear-prone rotor tips.
The report suggests Mazda is confident that it has made significant improvements to rotary-engine technology. Previous reports suggest the naturally-aspirated engine will be capable of producing more than 300 horsepower.
The automaker is said to be eyeing a 2020 launch to coincide with its 100th anniversary.
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