Does This Mazda Patent Reveal Plans for a New Sports Car?
We have discovered an interesting parent for something Mazda might use on a new RX-9.
If you’ve been following the news on the Mazda RX-Vision Concept, you’re probably hoping it heads to production as the RX-9. Unfortunately, there are contradicting reports on whether the RX-9 is really in development, and we will likely know more at the Tokyo Motor Show this year if Mazda debuts anything. But to give us some hope, a recent patent application has been published that hints at a new door design for a Mazda sports car, suggesting this could be used on the RX-9.
The design isn’t anything fancy or crazy, and it’s certainly not something we’ve never seen before. Like Mazda says in the patent application, low-slung sports cars tend to have an issue when it comes to the potential for their doors to hit curbs when opened. There’s a reason why cars like modern McLarens have fancy doors – it’s not just because some people think they look cool.
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But Mazda isn’t looking to produce a McLaren or a fancy Mercedes SLS AMG. If the RX-9 does head to production, it likely won’t be an extremely expensive sports car, which means certain components can’t be expensive to produce or use. In the patent application, Mazda talks about how gas struts are “relatively large-scale, heavy and expensive.” Gas struts are typically used for holding a vertically hinged door open.
Another option is using a coil spring, but Mazda notes “it has substantially the same scale as the gas damper and its energizing range is difficult to expand.” So the company’s solution is to use a torsion bar to hold the door in place.
Rumors say the RX-9 will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in late October, so we still have a couple months of waiting to see if Mazda is planning on a new sports car.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Still skeptical, but a Mazda Wankel powered sports car based on the Z4/Supra chassis is at least plausible. Especially given the recent Toyota/Mazda hook-up.
Looks like a door from the FD Rx-7, that is good news since the third generation Rx-7 is still the best looking car in past 25 years. Of course I might be biased, since my wife and I both own a FD Rx-7;). Mazda hopefully understands the rotary enthusiasts are the most loyal of Mazda's fans and clients. Around the world rotary events take place, and the love and admiration for the cars is second to none. I personally have steered my parents and friends to buying Mazda cars.