The MX-30 has RX-8 doors.

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
10/08/2020 at 10:52 • Filed to: None

I’m glad Mazda’s rotary engine will live on, if only as a range extender.

Carry on.

DISCUSSION (34)

CobraJoe > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 10:59

Doesn’t look like it has the same access to the back seat that the RX8 does though.

Kinja'd!!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CobraJoe
10/08/2020 at 11:03

Pretty crazy if the RX-8 is actually the more practical/usable of the two (for back seat occupants).

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 11:03

All the need to do is dust off the FD production line stuff and start building them again. Zero changes needed.

Make Mazda Great Again

Spanfeller is a twat > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 11:03

I don’t think there’s much of a benefit to using a rotary as a range extender to using a regular piston engine... maybe Mazda did some innovation or something and made it better. It’s not very expensive in Europe... I think it’s got a big enough battery for a full EV and it’s nice to have a range extender for emergencies.

Good car.

benjrblant > Spanfeller is a twat
10/08/2020 at 11:08

There could be other factors driving that decision. rotary engines can be packaged quite small, the orentation is less relevant (horizontal, vertical, under floor, etc) and they can be a bit smoother with multiple rotors. Mazda offered a rotary in one of their busses... maybe the Parkway, IIRC? The thought there is that it could fit under floor for space saving and was smoother, ergo offered a better passenger experience.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Spanfeller is a twat
10/08/2020 at 11:13

I’m always rooting for Mazda. Hope it sells great.

Spanfeller is a twat > benjrblant
10/08/2020 at 11:13

Noise, maybe? Plus perhaps the issue with rotary emissions is in the higher end of the rev range and this extender probably functions at low revs.

CobraJoe > Spanfeller is a twat
10/08/2020 at 11:14

A rotary does have some advantages. They’re tiny compared to a similarly powered piston engine, they’re almost completely vibration free, and can be very efficient when run at a limited RPM range. I’d bet they can be cheaper to make too, there’s only a few moving parts after all.

Solve the apex seal longevity problem, and it could be a great option.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja:
10/08/2020 at 11:14

How awesome would that be? Maybe they can license it all to a US builder so they can keep it under the annual number for repros so they don’t have to meet modern safety regs.

OPPOsaurus WRX > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 11:19

I read that as it has 8 doors. I see 4 there , if they had split barn doors in the back that would make 6, so where would the other two be?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 11:24

I want the direct inject MZR 2.3L Turbo in an RX-8. IDGAF, real power and torque would be hilarious in that car.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/08/2020 at 11:27

Ha! In the floorboards, of course.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/08/2020 at 11:28

Yes, such a great chassis.

Textured Soy Protein > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/08/2020 at 11:41

That’s what I said when I bought a Mazdaspeed 6 instead of an RX-8. I later realized I had traded in rotary problems for premature rust, fuel cutoffs under boost, and every possible interior rattle.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 11:45

lol at the thought of the rotary range extender ever coming to America

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Textured Soy Protein
10/08/2020 at 11:45

I thought the 2.3 turbo was a “pretty good engine never put in a good chassis” but yeah, a high strung MS6 is probably not the best bet for reliability. At that point I’d be looking at a WRX.

benjrblant > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 11:52

mazda is rooting for you too

Textured Soy Protein > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/08/2020 at 11:52

The motor has issues like bad oil seals on the turbos that can lead to white smoke in the exhaust, the fuel cutoff under boost, high pressure fuel pump, etc. It’s not terrible but there are issues that should be rectified with tuning.

While not a proper rwd sports car, t he MS6 handled much better than the MS3, which I also tried in that round of shopping . The awd was a fwd-based system but it could proactively send power to the rear wheels when the car detected you were taking turns aggressively. It also had a helical rear LSD. I did minimal handling upgrades on that car, only AutoExe lowering springs (a JDM Mazda-specific brand that was not too aggressive), camber kits to dial in an aggressive street alignment, and sticky tires. It was good. Very good even.

The handling wasn’t the problem with the MS6 so much as the reliability issues with the motor, and the fucking rust & rattles.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > CobraJoe
10/08/2020 at 11:53

But it is taller so with the front flipped forward, you don’t have to do that weird hunch to crawl in.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/08/2020 at 11:57

Sunroof...

Rotted out floorboards after a Minnesota winter...

And, yeah, I read it that way the first time too

CobraJoe > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
10/08/2020 at 11:59

Crawl in? Can’t you just plop down in the seat backwards in the RX8 ?

That’s the joy of a low car, no high stepping to get your leg in.

Boxer_4 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 12:01

I hope the range extender versions sell well; imagine all the fun projects the rotary could be used for when these start getting totaled/scrapped. I do wonder what displacement/horsepower these will be...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Boxer_4
10/08/2020 at 12:02

The Range Extender (on the i3) is a small 2 cylinder 0.647 liter (39.5 cubic inch) inline 4-valve per cylinder gasoline engine that produces 34 horsepower and 40 lb-ft of torque, both at 4300 rpm.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/08/2020 at 12:03

Maybe it will come but will be never be mentioned as a rotary in the marketing materials.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > CobraJoe
10/08/2020 at 12:03

Crawl was a biT of an exaggeration

CobraJoe > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
10/08/2020 at 12:23

Fair, but being a fairly tall guy, I’ve never had a problem with a car’s height. I’d say the opening size is far more important than the height of the cushion or floor.

Maybe I’ll change my opinion if I get older and start having back/joint issues.

wafflesnfalafel > CobraJoe
10/08/2020 at 12:23

I nteresting, maybe that’s it? Low rpm efficiency and space savings? I was really trying to wrap my brain around why they were using it, other than they are Mazda and need something, anything, with a rotary engine.

Saracen > Spanfeller is a twat
10/08/2020 at 12:24

The only advantage is how to tiny the rotary is.

nerd_racing > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 15:55

Hop that up and stuff it in a kei car!

nerd_racing > Spanfeller is a twat
10/08/2020 at 15:57

Less complex, less moving components, discrete operating range, low NVH, Fuel efficient at discrete rpm ranges, light weight, small packaging size... need I say more?

nerd_racing > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/08/2020 at 16:00

I want one of these badly... Range extended please. Would buy it now. Trade in the CX-5.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > nerd_racing
10/08/2020 at 16:04

I think you’ll have to wait a while.

nerd_racing > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/09/2020 at 07:14

I mean I waited from 2003 until 2018 to get my Autozam AZ-1... so I’m used to it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > nerd_racing
10/09/2020 at 09:42

Ha!