The Mazda RX-01 was a concept car that debuted at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show. Created partly in response to the shrinking market for expensive sports cars, it was a back-to-basics compact, simple and inexpensive sports car in the spirit of the first-generation RX-7, and it previewed the engine that would power the RX-8.
Mazda RX-01 at a glance
| Debuted | 1995 Tokyo Motor Show |
|---|---|
| Type | compact rotary sports car concept |
| Seats | 2+2 |
| Engine | 13B-MSP, 1,308 cc naturally aspirated |
| Power | 220 bhp (164 kW) at 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 216 N·m |
| Layout | front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual |
| Weight | 1,100 kg |
| Acceleration | 0–60 mph in 5.7 seconds, about 140 mph top speed |
History of the Mazda RX-01
By the mid-1990s the RX-7 had evolved into an uncompromising super sports car with high performance but poor comfort and a high price, and the market for such cars had shrunk with the economy. The RX-01 team took a back-to-basics approach for a compact, simple and inexpensive sports car much like the first-generation RX-7. The concept had a radical front end with a floating bumper and spoiler made possible by the compact rotary engine, and a 2+2 seating arrangement.
The RX-01 was the public appearance of the next generation of Mazda rotary design, the 13B-MSP. This naturally aspirated Wankel moved its exhaust ports from the periphery of the rotor housing to the side housing, preventing overlap between intake and exhaust timing, which brought higher output, better thermal efficiency, lower fuel consumption and cleaner emissions. The 1,308 cc engine produced 220 bhp (164 kW) at 8,500 rpm and 216 N·m, close to the output of the RX-7 of the time, and was mounted in a front-midship position pushed back against the firewall to help weight distribution. A five-speed manual sent power to the rear wheels, 0 to 60 mph was claimed at 5.7 seconds and top speed was around 140 mph.
The RX-01 weighed only 1,100 kg, reflecting the approach Mazda took under the influence of the first-generation MX-5. The concept was fully functional and was described in a Top Gear road test as handling much like an MX-5. Inside, the 2+2 layout had rear seats with practically no legroom, useful mainly for storage, and the instrument cluster and general layout carried over parts of the RX-7. Enthusiasts hoped the RX-01 would become the next production rotary sports car, but declining interest in sports cars in favour of SUVs and Mazda’s financial position kept it a concept. The 13B-MSP was developed further into the RENESIS engine that powered the RX-8.
Design and features
- 13B-MSP: side exhaust ports instead of peripheral ports, the basis of the RENESIS.
- Light weight: 1,100 kg, with handling compared to the MX-5.
- Floating front end: a bumper and spoiler that seemed to float thanks to the compact engine.
- Back to basics: a simple, affordable rotary coupe in the spirit of the first RX-7.
Mazda RX-01 versions
- RX-01 concept (1995): the only example built.
The RX-01’s engine led directly to the Mazda RX-8 and continued the line of the RX-7. More Mazdas are in the Mazda collection.
Sources
- Mazda RX-01, English Wikipedia: concept, engine, performance, design
- Mazda RX-8, English Wikipedia: 13B-MSP development into RENESIS
