Mazda MX-5 News

Mazda has laid bare its next generation MX-5 sports-car, taking the unusual step of unveiling just the barest of essentials -- the engine and chassis -- at this week’s New York motor show.The unprecedented move was driven by the Japanese brand’s desire to show the world that the next-generation MX-5 is still purely Mazda DNA, even though there will also be an Alfa Romeo version of the same car, made in the same factory.The deal between the unlikely pair was brokered almost two years ago: Mazda needed economies of scale to help develop the new MX-5, and Alfa Romeo was in need of a fun, affordable sports-car.The Mazda MX-5 and the Alfa Romeo will look completely different, say company insiders, and may not even share the same engines.The Mazda MX-5 is due to bow first, and is expected to be unveiled later this year ahead of its arrival in showrooms in the second half of 2015.Mazda says the new MX-5 is going back to basics: it’s expected to be smaller and lighter than the car it replaces.Mazda famously measures the weight of every component that goes into an MX-5 -- once even developing a thinner radio antenna -- in its bid to trim weight.Carsguide understands the company has set an ambitious target of 1000kg for the mass of the new model. Given today’s crash safety standards and the weight of new technology, it will be no mean feat if Mazda can reach this goal.The original Mazda MX-5 weighed just 940kg, the second-generation model weighed 1065kg, while the current version is the heaviest yet, at 1167kg, due in part to its folding metal roof.Mazda unveiled a “super light” 1000kg version of the current MX-5 as a concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, for the 20th anniversary of the vehicle, likely as a tease for the new model now under development.Mazda has only released three generations of the MX-5 over the past 25 years; the current edition has been around since 2005 and is due to be replaced in its 10th year of production.Spy photos of the fourth-generation 2015 Mazda MX-5 during testing show the next model is smaller than the current car in its overall dimensions, but the footprint has grown (longer wheelbase, wider track), and a soft-top roof returns.On the new model Mazda is also expected to introduce its unique fuel-saving “Skyactiv” technology, the name given to a special type of engine tuning that runs a high compression ratio which delivers fuel economy savings. Meanwhile, Mazda also unveiled this week the final edition that will see out the current MX-5.Just 1000 versions of the 25th anniversary Mazda MX-5 will be made globally, with 40 destined for Australia. Due on sale later this year, they will have Bilstein sports suspension, while the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with gain specially modified pistons, conrods and a flywheel. Visually, the limited production model will gain unique 25thanniversary badging (including a build number), white leather trim (with “25thanniversary” embossed in the headrests), and charcoal-finish alloy wheels.Only one body colour is available -- metallic red -- and one body style: the folding metal roof. To reflect the sales mix of the current model, about 30 per cent of the 25thanniversary models will come with automatic transmission, the balance will be manual.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

Despite an official full steam ahead on the Mazda/Fiat Chrysler joint project to develop an Italian-badged roadster based on the next MX-5, its now looking like that badge may not be Alfa Romeo after all.The project has been praised by Alfa loyalists craving the return of an affordable rear-drive Alfa, but Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne has repeatedly insisted that he will not allow any Alfa Romeo models to be built outside Italy.Both versions of the car were planned to be built by Mazda in Japan, and recent spy shots of each version undergoing testing suggest that development is well underway.According to Automotive News Europe, the Fiat Chrysler end of the project is now more likely to wear a Fiat or Abarth badge when it arrives after the fourth-generation MX-5’s 2015 debut.Citing anonymous sources, the report suggests that product planners will soon decide which of Fiat Chrysler’s suite of brands the new model will fit under. If the Fiat Chrysler model does shift from Alfa, a significant redesign will likely be necessary, particularly around the trademark Alfa shield grille nose. The mechanicals will likely remain as planned though, with the expected 1.4-litre turbo engine already in use across several Fiat Chrysler models.Such a move would not leave Alfa without a rear-drive convertible either, with a drop-top version of its 4C sports car due to be revealed in Geneva this week.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Driving a convertible in Siberia in sub-zero temperatures -- with the top down -- may not be everyone's idea of fun. But that's where Mazda decided to host a test drive to remind us that the MX-5 is still the world's most popular roadster, with almost 1 million sold.An all-new Mazda MX-5 -- to be jointly developed with Alfa Romeo -- is still at least two years away, so in the meantime Mazda is keen for the world to know the current model is still young at heart even though it is getting on a bit in car terms. Which is why we are standing on an ice lake near Yekaterinburg, about 400km north of the Kazakhstan border.Mazda invited two dozen motoring writers from nine countries to defend their nation's honour by having a hack at an ice lake instead of a keyboard. This is the fifth such event in as many years and the stakes are high -- in the minds of those behind the wheel.Day one and the boys are in a huddle discussing strategy in military detail. Who's going to do what, and what the others are likely to do at every point in the race. It would have been a little easier to take seriously if we weren't still in Mascot. The plane hasn't even pushed back yet. Competitive? Much?Day two and we've ducked into Moscow between flights (the domestic and international terminals are at opposite sides of the city) standing in a big red square with lots of walls, statues and a building called the Kremlin.Surrounded by this almost magical yet historical place, the emotion is overwhelming: word has come through that those Cheating Rusky Bastards have practiced driving on snow. "What, you mean apart from their entire driving lives," I offer. The group goes silent, the guide says something about the old buildings with the shiny bulbs on top.But we're still in a huddle as if it's half time in a State of Origin that NSW has a chance to win. History can wait. We were about to make our own, apparently, it was only a matter of choosing the theme tune: "Eye of the Tiger" or "Simply the Best"?Day three we finally get to inspect the pitch. WTF? They've included Mazda3 hatchbacks in the event for the first time, as well as the MX-5s.The thought of driving a car that people actually buy (the Mazda3 was Australia's top-selling car for two of the past three years and finished second last year) in order to qualify for the MX-5 race horrifies some of the group.One of our team starts sledging one of the Poms and says something about cricket. I don't watch cricket but the last significant Australia-versus-England sporting moment I can remember involved a football, a man called Jonny Wilkinson, and his left foot.After the first practice session it became apparent that the three Russian teams have professional race drivers masquerading as motoring writers (as opposed to us motoring writers masquerading as race drivers).At this point, to confirm everyone's bonafides, I quietly suggest that the organisers force all competitors to write a road test, to see who can torture the most cliches like they're running out of fashion.Alas, my heart sank when I saw our Russian rivals doing work on their laptop computers between practice sessions. They were hacks just like us, dammit.After qualifying third out of nine cars our only hope for a victory was to do a Bradbury: drive at eight-tenths and hope they stick it into a snow bank.After some daring first lap driving from the first of our four drivers, and an ability to make the MX-5 much wider than it really is for several laps thereafter, we had somehow found ourselves in the lead.After a friendly nudge from one of the gun Russian drivers we slipped to second, but managed to regain first place after a slick pit-stop. Soon after, we learned to be careful what you wish for, because a Mazda did indeed end up in a snow bank. But it was ours.Truth be known, it was a miracle it didn't happen to all of us on every single corner. The ice was so slippery we could barely stand on it without breaking a hip, two wrists and a collar bone. After our car was plucked from the snow by a tractor we made another pit-stop and got going again.It was then my turn to add to our team's misery. The safety car came out in front of me even though we were not in the lead (in fact, we were in the opposite of the lead).So although it is protocol for safety cars to drive slowly in front of the lead car and let the rest of the field pass, we got to trundle around behind a Mazda CX-5 with flashing lights to avoid a collision we never got to see -- and lost so much time we may as well have been in a different zone.So I was delighted when it was time to hand the car over to a colleague for the final fling. The only thing that could possibly brighten our day is if we could beat the other Australian car being shared by two journos and two Mazda executives.After some daring driving from our man on a mission and some gentlemanly driving from the Mazda suit behind the wheel of the other MX-5, we ended up in front of the Other Aussie Team despite our significant setbacks.By the end of the two-hour race, the Russians deservedly scored a one-two-three clean-sweep, something the organisers may have suspected for they pre-ordered trophies for fourth, fifth and sixth positions under the guise of a "Nation's Cup".Although we ranked fifth -- or second, depending on how you measure it -- finishing in the middle the field never felt so good. If only the sweet taste of our 'victory' didn't taste like yellow snow. Russian champagne really is an acquired taste. Especially when it's in your eyes.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

They bring glitz and glamour to the Clipsal 500 - but there's more than meets the eye when it comes to these grid girls. JESSICA (23) Usual occupation: Marketing co-ordinator at Stamford Hotels. How long have you been a grid girl? Three years.Why did you decide to be a grid girl? Having the chance to be involved with such an iconic Adelaide event as the Clipsal 500 is an amazing opportunity and every year I can't wait for February to come around.Best thing about being a grid girl? Working with such beautiful and amazing girls and meeting lots of interesting people.Worst thing? It only comes around once a year.Tell me about your usual day job: Busy!How different is your day job to being a grid girl? I work in a corporate environment, so it's nice to get all glammed up for the Clipsal 500 weekend.How do you think grid girls are perceived? For the most part, quite well. Clipsal always choose the girls who can best represent their company as well as themselves, and it shows through the amazing girls we have on the team. There will always be those few negative people no matter what you do.Do some people have the wrong perception of grid girls? Everyone in the team has and is achieving great things in their life. There is definitely more than meets the eye.V8 team of choice? It has to be Holden.What type of car do you drive? Hyundai Excel. KARA (25) Usual occupation: Miner/trades assistant/student.How long have you been a grid girl? Two years.Why did you decide to be a grid girl? When I was in high school I saw them and thought what a glamorous and amazing job that would be.Best thing about being a grid girl? The atmosphere and excitement of the Clipsal 500 is an amazing experience.What's the worst aspect? That Clipsal 500 only lasts four days and the week flies by too fast.Day job? I work at a mine site 600km from Adelaide, doing shutdowns as a gas tester and standby person. The site has both below ground and above ground plants. My job involves testing atmospheres where people will be working to make sure it is safe for them to do their job and to implement any precautions if necessary. When I am not in the mines I work as a trades assistant in Adelaide for a company that installs, repairs and maintains bore pumps. I am also studying my diploma in Occupational Health and Safety to gain a more permanent position in the mining industry.How different is your day job to being a grid girl? Extremely! I go from no hair and make-up, being hot and sweaty, dirty and wearing baggy overalls and a hard hat, to wearing gorgeous outfits made by an amazing South Australian designer with full hair and make-up and lots of people wanting to take photos.How do you think grid girls are perceived? They're an exciting addition to the racing scene, adding glitz and glamour.Do you think some people have the wrong perception of them? People will always have their own perceptions. But we get a positive response from the fans and spectators and we thoroughly enjoy what we do.V8 team of choice? Holden. Craig Lowndes for Red Bull Racing is always exciting to watch and is a real gentleman.What car do you drive? A 1993 Mazda MX5 Clubman.BRITTANY (20) Usual occupation: Sammy D Foundation volunteer, student, bartender at Sky City Adelaide.How long have you been a grid girl? Three years.Why did you decide to be a grid girl? I wanted to be a grid girl since I attended Clipsal 500 with my dad from a young age. Seeing the girls in their outfits looked like so much fun. Best thing about being a grid girl? Being on the grid and the Harley Davidson lap.Worst thing? Early mornings!Tell me about your day job? I volunteer on the Sammy D Foundation's Great Night Out blog-a-van, which goes around SA collecting video blogs from young people on their thoughts about alcohol-fuelled violence and what must be done about it. Several years ago a good friend, Sam Davis, was king-hit and died in an unprovoked attack, so it's good to spend time supporting the Sammy D Foundation set up in his memory, and help educate young people to understand why it's important to make good decisions, look after mates and ways to avoid violence. I'm also studying psychology and criminal justice at Flinders Uni.How different is your day job to being a grid girl? Being a grid girl we get to meet many different types of people, which is quite similar to what I do every day, just with less glitz.How do you think grid girls are perceived? Too often we're seen as being a bit 'ditzy".Do people have the wrong perception of them? I think some do. Most of us are either studying or in careers, as well as knowing a lot about the race.V8 team of choice? Holden.What car do you drive? Holden Barina. 

Several car sites have had a crack at guessing the styling of Mazda’s 2015 MX-5, but Japan’s Holiday Auto magazine reckons they’re all wrong. Most expect the new fourth-generation roadster to follow the formula used for the recent CX-5, 6 and 3 designs, with the same basic Kodo design morphed to fit around each bodystyle and size category.However, an anonymous Mazda insider reportedly told the magazine: “The media don’t fully understand the essential elements of Kodo design. That’s why none of their expected designs are close. They forecasted it simply looking at superficial aspects of KODO design.”Instead, the new MX-5 is expected to lead with an evolution of the CX-5, 6 and 3’s Kodo styling, with the need to remain fresh for the MX-5’s relatively long six year-plus model cycle a key consideration. Mazda is also reportedly keen to retain some MX-5 trademark details: “It’s important to be able to recognise the Roadster (MX-5) at a glance.For example, it doesn’t use the ‘family face’. It doesn’t have the ‘signature wing’ which goes from bottom of upper grill to head lamps like on the 6 and 3. It’s simpler but still has KODO design features,” the source added.Following this advice, Holiday Auto has thrown its hat into the ring with the above rendering, which shows a blend of existing Kodo detailing with contemporary MX-5 details, and a few new elements. Key details include the MX-5’s trademark pebble-like overall form, with NA and NC-referencing ovoid taillights, NC-like wheelarch flares, and a reference to the distinctive chrome doorhandles of the NA.Also evident is the elongated wheelbase spotted in several recent spy photos, with the front wheels shifted further ahead of the cabin. This was accepted as a mere accentuation of the MX-5’s classic roadster long-nose, short-tail proportions, but Holiday Auto reports that this change is a result of Mazda’s platform-sharing arrangement with Alfa Romeo.According to the report, Alfa requested a more flexible engine bay to allow for a wider array of engine and transmission options for its new Spider-badged end of the bargain. This apparently required the engine to be moved ahead of the firewall – rather than within it – unlike the current MX-5, and the front axle line to also be brought forward to a similar degree to maintain the roadster’s balanced weight distribution targets.Holiday Auto reports that this has not impinged on the new MX-5’s ambitious sub-1000kg overall weight target, as the new flat firewall is able to deliver the required strength without the added bracing – and therefore weight - needed by the existing MX-5’s design.In Mazda guise, the new model is expected to be produced with 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre versions of Mazda’s Skyactiv-G petrol engine, but like previous generations Australian models are likely to be limited to the more powerful of the two. This 2.0-litre is currently available in the CX-5 and the new 3, but will likely be boosted beyond their Regular 91RON fuel burning 114kW/200Nm tune to suit the sportier MX-5. A Premium 95RON tune should see the engine easily exceed the 118kW/188Nm produced by the current 2.0-litre MX-5 when fuelled with 95RON.This should result in a significant performance lift if Mazda succeeds with its 1000kg weight target, which would nearly match the 950kg original model, and undercut the current model by at least 167kg. “Everyone will be quite surprised once the mass production car spec is announced,” Holiday Auto’s source added.As for when we’ll see the finished product, the Holiday Auto report suggests we’ll see a drip-feed of information as with the new 3, unlike a traditional tell-all motor show reveal. This could see the new model’s bare chassis being revealed first – as Volkswagen did with the Mk7 Golf – sometime this year. The original MX-5 was unveiled 25 years ago this month at the Chicago motor show, and the completed fourth-generation of the world’s best-selling roadster could make its official first appearance at the same show on its 26th anniversary in 2015.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

It’s one of the most anticipated models since the 2007 return of Nissan’s GT-R, but Mazda is still yet to officially confirm a rotary-powered replacement for the RX-7 and RX8 sports models.However, the latest of a series of reports suggests that an RX-7-succeeding two-door sports coupe is under development at least, with the Nissan 370Z’s 86/BRZ-Porsche Cayman splitting market territory firmly in its sights.An idea of what the model might look like has been created by master artist Theophilus Chin, based on Mazda’s Shinari concept that evolved into the current model 6.According to Autoweek, industry buzz suggests that a lightweight two door coupe based on the upcoming 2015 MX-5 is being developed, with a next-generation rotary engine.With the MX-5 expected to drop its price nearer to the 86/BRZ rear-drive performance bargains, a higher performing RX-7 is expected to target the 370Z’s upcoming replacement, which is also expected to lower its current $56,930 entry point.The Mazda is yet to receive a production green light however, with a “no concrete plans” official line, but Autoweek reports that Mazda executives have made off the record confirmation of the development program.A 2015-16 completion date has also been suggested, which would be a logical fit for the rotary engine’s 50th anniversary in 2017 or the RX-7’s 40th anniversary in 2018.Mazda’s chief designer Ikuo Maeda is also the son of the design boss who oversaw the original RX-7’s development, and reportedly wants to see the new sports coupe reach production before he retires.Mazda plans to use a smaller-scale rotary engine design as a generator for agricultural applications, and has explored its potential as a range-extending engine for hybrid vehicle applications as showcased in the Mazda 2 prototype driven by Carsguide late last year. The rotary used in this model is a 330cc single chamber design, unlike the twin-rotor 1.3-litre Renesis unit used most recently in the RX-8 that ended production in 2012.The report suggests that a production Mazda sports coupe will not use a hybrid drivetrain and will be naturally-aspirated like the RX-8. The new model will also likely deliver significantly improved fuel consumption over the RX-8’s 12.9L/100km combined fuel figure.A capacity of around 600cc per rotor has been suggested – slightly down from the RX-8’s 650cc – and it’s unclear whether twin or triple-rotors will be employed. A twin-rotor like the RX-8 is most likely, which would result in an overall capacity of around 1.2-litres.Given the new engine’s efficiency focus, power output is not likely to climb significantly from the RX-8’s 170kW, with a realistic figure of about 186kW. However with the upcoming MX-5’s expected weight savings, such a figure could prove more than adequate in a coupe version of the same platform.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

The fourth generation of the Mazda MX-5 is nearing, and is tipped to have dropped weight and grown a longer nose to accommodate more efficient SkyActiv engines. The roadster is being developed on a new platform that will also be shared with the next Alfa Romeo sports car.Expected to be unveiled at the 2015 Chicago motor show -- 26 years after the first generation debuted there in 1989 -- the new MX-5 will have a lengthened wheelbase and bonnet to house the extra long exhaust manifold of Mazda's efficiency-focused naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre Skyactiv mills, with the company having decided not to go down the turbo path for the two-seater, according to Autocar.Australian specification is a long way from being announced, but at the moment we get a single 2.0-litre engine with the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed sports auto transmission. Skyactiv technology is predicted to considerably improve the fuel economy, currently 8.1L/100km.While the longer bonnet -- with the front axle pushed forward -- has a functional basis, it will also contribute to what a Mazda insider told the UK site was the carmaker's "best-looking car ever" with “very clean and simple” lines. “It is such a good-looking car - recognisable as an MX-5, but with very clean styling,” the source is reported as saying.That means we're unlikely to see the five-corner grille and detailed styling of the rest of the recent Mazda product make its way onto the MX-5, with the nose expected to continue with uncluttered, smooth planes and lower air intakes.Mazda was previously trying to get the weight down to the 1000kg level, and while that target has been abandoned, you can still expect the coming MX-5 to shave around 70kg off the current car's 1167kg (manual) and 1177 (auto), aiming to be the lightest in its class.The car will be offered in both soft-top and folding hard-top versions (depending on markets around the world) however Australia currently takes only the hard-top. The good news is that the roof also reportedly is lighter, and has been redesigned to swallow less space in the boot.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Fans of the long-gone and much-mourned Toyota Supra -- and those hoping to see a successor after its 11-year absence -- can perhaps take heart in news today that Toyota and BMW have confirmed a deal to jointly produce a new sports car platform.BMW development chief Herbert Diess told Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper the architecture would spawn two new cars. "We have agreed on a joint architecture for a sports car," Diess said, however declining to reveal more details about the platform.Toyota has previously partnered with Subaru to produce the wildly successful Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ, but while they are near-clones, it seems the Toyota/BMW collaboration will focus on ensuring the two resultant cars are strongly differentiated. "What is important is that there will be two different vehicles that are authentic to the two brands," Diess said.Watch our video review of the tweaked Toyota 86The announcement is not unexpected, following the two brands making an agreement in mid-2012 to collaborate on a range of technology -- including weight-saving strategies and  lithium-air batteries -- and also consider the potential for a medium-sized sports car platform.Toyota is tipped to be unveiling a sports concept that could point to a Supra successor at the Detroit motor show in a couple of weeks, so it's possible that a production vehicle seeded from the show car could include the BMW collaboration. However the Toyota end of the joint development could also end up wearing a Lexus badge.And Toyota is not the only Japanese carmaker partnering with a European brand for a sports car. As we've reported previously, Mazda is collaborating with Italy's Alfa Romeo on a platform that will be the basis for both the next Mazda MX-5 and Alfa Spider.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

While Holden and Ford sales have been in steady decline over the past decade Mazda has steadily climbed and in 2012 the Japanese car maker overtook Ford as the third highest seller behind Toyota and Holden.An indication of the dramatic swing is that in 2004 Holden sold around 178,000 vehicles compared with 55,000 Mazdas. As of November 2013 the gap had closed to just over 8000 with Holden down to 103,000 and Mazda up to 95,000.The number 3 is most significant because the Mazda3 makes up around 40 per cent of Mazda’s total Australian sales despite the imminent arrival of an all-new model. The company’s other star performer is the CX-5 which is now Australia’s top seller across all segments of the highly-competitive SUV market segment.Mazda’s 2013 performance is all the more impressive because it has been a relatively quiet year with no new model releases and only the addition of some new variants to the CX-5 and BT-50 range.Australia is one of Mazda’s most important markets and this was recognised when the Japanese head office chose Melbourne as the first of five major cities to reveal the upcoming, third generation, Mazda3 with Istanbul, St Petersburg, London and New York following as the earth moved around the sun.The next three years will be busier with five new models set to arrive here spearheaded by the all-new Mazda3 in January 2014. Also due for new generation models between 2014 and 2016 are the Mazda2, MX-5 and CX-9. Mazda won’t be specific on the fifth new model but given its success in the SUV field and the trend towards sub-compacts a CX-3 is the strong favourite. Based on the Mazda2 platform it would join recent releases such as Holden Trax, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 and Ford EcoSport.Each of these upcoming models will continue the roll-out of Mazda’s ground-breaking SkyActiv technology that covers all aspect of vehicle design including engines, transmissions, brakes, body structure and chassis designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by between 20 and 30 per cent. 

The new Mazda3 MPS could have diesel power in a radical rethink of the Japanese brand’s hot hatch. The shock revelation was made in Japan overnight by the global boss of Mazda, Masamichi Kogai.When asked about plans for the next Mazda3 MPS Kogai-san told Australian media on the eve of the Tokyo motor show: "The diesel engine has a very strong potential in the future … it’s a possibility."It is unclear whether the diesel version of the MPS would be the only engine available or an alternative to turbo petrol power, as is the case with the Volkswagen Golf which offers a hot hatch with a choice of fuels.But the 2.2-litre turbo diesel fitted to the CX-5 softroader fits neatly under the bonnet of the new Mazda3.Either way, a hot hatch version of the new Mazda3 is still at least two years away.Mazda is focusing its engineering resources into key models -- the new Mazda2 city hatch, the new CX-9 seven-seater SUV and the new MX-5 sports-car -- that will deliver sales volume and profit over the next two years.A baby SUV dubbed "CX-3" has reportedly been put on the back-burner while Mazda focuses its resources on these other models, and is said to now be at least three years away, meaning Mazda will be late with an entrant in one of the fastest growing market segments globally.The Mazda3 MPS is viewed by Mazda as a "nice to have, rather than a must have", say company insiders.Although Mazda is hugely successful in Australia, it has struggled to make a profit globally in recent years and is in a transition phase.It is one of the reasons Mazda fast-tracked the developed of the Mazda3 ahead of the Mazda2, because it generates more profit than its smaller sibling.Meanwhile a rotary engine is still being considered for a hydrogen-powered Mazda or to be used as a range extender on an upcoming electric vehicle.If the rotary engine is developed for these eco applications, it would open the door to being used in a sports car such as the modern version of the RX-7 or a successor to the RX-8.But Kogai-san said there were still no firm plans for a resurrection of the RX-7 despite a strong desire to revive the iconic sports-car.The Mazda rotary engine will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017, the RX-7 will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2018, and Mazda as a company will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020.Mazda built 811,634 two-seater RX-7 sports cars from 1978 to 2002, according to automotive history websites.The four-seater RX-8, which had rear-hinged "suicide" doors on either side, notched up 192,194 sales between 2003 and April 2012, but was not deemed successful enough to continue with a new model.Mazda says it has made more than 2 million rotary engines since the first rotary-powered Mazda Cosmo went on sale in 1963.The rotary engine was phased out in 2012 because its fuel consumption was relatively inefficient, and the engine itself was expensive to produce and had limited customer appeal.