Mazda Quietly Files for a Rotary-Specific Patent

Mazda Quietly Files for a Rotary-Specific Patent

Word about a potential rotary-revival by Mazda has been a series of ups and downs lately. Months ago, a rumor surfaced that Mazda was working on another rotary model. Shortly after, Mazda dispelled those rumors in an official statement. It wasn’t long after this that a Mazda spokesperson said that the next Mazda RX model would be powered by a rotary. That too was shut down shortly after, when Mazda explicitly states that a new RX was not in the works. As you can see, there’s been a lot of back-and-forth, but the overall consensus seemed to be that Mazda’s official statement made it nothing more than industry hearsay - until now.

Any die-hard rotary fans who have been following the rumors are ready to take any relevant information and a promising sign of things to come, and the most promising of all may have just happened while no one was looking. Mazda recently filed for two patents: One for some form Gas+EV hybrid system, and another for a rotary-specific start/stop system. Those who understand the functionality of the Wankel rotary engine will appreciate just how sophisticated a start-stop function would have to be in order to stop the rotors in a position that closes the intake port completely.

For now, any news about a next-gen Mazda rotary engine remains purely speculation, but with such a specific patent being filed while no mainstream rotary engines are on the market, one has to wonder what Mazda is up to.

PASMAG Mazda RX Concept Patent 02

Related Articles

Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2009 Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2009
The incredibly diverse builds and PASMAG features of 2009 were so good we couldn't keep it to just five that we dug out of the archives. This was...
Throwback: 5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2009 Throwback: 5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2009
As we neared closer to the end of the decade in the early 2000s, getting closer and closer to 2010, the builds in PASMAG were incredibly diverse. This...
KW Suspensions Coilovers for Ferrari Testarossa KW Suspensions Coilovers for Ferrari Testarossa
KW Suspensions has introduced a road-legal V3 coilover kit for the Ferrari Testarossa, blending modern performance with vintage flair. This marks the...
Does Rivian's R1T Keep Up Off-Road? Team Venom Racing Think So Does Rivian's R1T Keep Up Off-Road? Team Venom Racing Think So
When it comes to off-roading - or frankly, trucks in general - EVs can be a bit of a hotly contested topic. Whether you care for EVs or not, it's hard...
Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2008 Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2008
2008 had some of our favorite wild throwbacks to date, and you guys loved the first 5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2008 so much that we're digging back...
5 Things Car Culture Needs More Of 5 Things Car Culture Needs More Of
Few things are in a state of constant flux as car culture, and the car community as a whole. While the car community is divided into countless niches...