Perry Mick wrote:

Paul, you don't have to publish this if you don't want to.  I'm just
catching up on some old email.  Here is some hearsay on the new Mazda
rotary from the RX-7 list, attach as much significance to it as you
wish:

All rumors are welcome on new rotary engines :-)

 

Last weekend I attended the Portland International Auto Show in
Portland,
Oregon.  Highlights of the show included the MR-Spyder, S2000, Ferrari
F40
and 360.  Other than that, there wasn't much to see (it's pretty much
just a
dealership show), but I did get to talk to a Mazda "representative"
about
the future of the rotary.

As I was looking at the new Miata, a Mazda rep approached me and asked
me
if
I worked for Racing Beat (I was wearing a RB shirt).  I told him that I
didn't but that I am a rotary/RX-7 enthusiast.  I talked to him for
about
15
minutes.  I'm not sure about his position at Mazda, he could have just
been
a salesman, but he did seem to have more authority then the other people
working the booth.  He was also Japanese and seemed to know quite a bit
about the rotary and history of Mazda.  Anyway, for what it's worth,
here
are the main points he brought up that I can recall.

1)  The RX-Evolve is headed for production, probably to be released
around
2002.  Future models, such as a new RX-7, or rotary Miata are on a
wait-and-see basis depending on how well the RX-Evolve is received.
2)  If the RX-Evolve isn't successful, it will virtually be the end for
the
rotary engine, and possibly Mazda.
3)  His brother works for the company that makes the HID lamps that will
be
used in the RX-Evolve, Mazda put in an order for 6000 units.
4)  The suicide doors are still being decided upon.
5)  Mazda wants more than just the engine to be innovative with the
RX-Evolve, they want as much press coverage and public interest as
possible.
6)  Martin Leach is the one person (formally) at Mazda who really
campaigned
for a new rotary.
7)  Mazda is really, really, really, counting on the RX-Evolve,
hopefully
Ford won't mess things up too much.

Everything above could be completely false, or entirely true.  But there
it
is, take it as you like it.

--
Perry J. Mick
Mick Duckt N7XR
http://www.mickaircraft.com/duckt.htm

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