1990 Mazda Miata Base Convertible 2-door 1.6l on 2040-cars

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Mazda to use rotary engine as a range-extender with its first electric vehicle

There's more news from Mazda at the Tokyo Motor Show, where the brand made a big splash, including new developments in its never-ending rotary engine saga. First, Mazda execs confirmed that the Japanese automaker will bring back the rotary engine as a range-extender and battery juicer for its first electric vehicle in 2019. But secondly, the company won't have a rotary-powered successor to its RX-7 and RX-8 sportscars in time for the company's centennial anniversary in 2020. Autoblog previously confirmed that Mazda is planning to have an EV in 2019 that will be available in both pure electric and range-extending versions. Now, the Australian website Motoring reports that the global EV will feature a powertrain similar to the experimental Japan-only Mazda2 (Demio) EV, which used a single-rotor engine as a generator to power the battery pack and increase its driving range. The publication says Mazda plans to release a series of plug-in hybrids based on existing models around 2020, then a pure electric car co-developed with Toyota and Denso in 2021 as part of the EV Common Architecture Spirit Company joint venture. A Mazda spokesman tells Autoblog the company couldn't confirm any details about future products. Meanwhile, enthusiasts shouldn't wait for a rotary-based production version of Mazda's RX-Vision concept from 2015. Motoring cites two executives who explain that the company simply lacks the capital necessary to invest in developing the new model in time for its 2020 centennial. Mazda debuted its rotary engine 50 years ago in the Cosmo Sport in part as a way to stand out from its larger Japanese competitors. The engine, which uses a spinning three-tipped rotor in place of pistons, is smaller and lighter than conventional piston engines, with a greater power-to-weight ratio and quieter, smoother operation. But it delivers less fuel economy and higher emissions — two weaknesses that could be improved via a stop-start system Mazda has developed, based on a pair of U.S. patents. The company has also been hard at work developing its next-generation Skyactiv-X engine, which uses highly precise combustion ignition technology to deliver significant gains in fuel economy and power.Related Video:

Bauer Catfish is a Miata-based trackstar in the making [w/videos]

We're not trying to make a joke here. The creation you see above really is called the Bauer Catfish, and while the name is about as attractive as your average bottom feeder, the car itself is built on a sexy notion. Take the mechanical bits of one 1990-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata, add in a tube chassis for as little weight as possible, complete with some custom body work and go forth. Bauer says the finished product weighs in at just 1,550 pounds, and the company will be happy to pull the stock four-cylinder to drop in a healthy General Motors LS V8.
The pre-production prototype shown above competed in last year's 25 Hours of Thunderhill, finished the race and earned a spot on the podium in the "anything goes for sports racers" ESR class. Very cool.
If you're looking for a dedicated track car, it may not get any better than this for the money. Expect to pay around $13,900 depending on options, plus the cost of your donor Miata. That's a good sight cheaper than a used Chevy Corvette Z06 and likely to be quite a bit more fun. After you're done watching it in action in the brief videos below, check it out over at Bauer Ltd.

Mazda and Fiat finalize deal for Alfa roadster, next-gen MX-5 Miata

Although a little bit later than expected, Mazda and Fiat have signed a final agreement that will bring a next-generation MX-5 Miata to the Japanese automaker and a new roadster to Alfa Romeo. When the proposed arrangement was announced back in May, the two automakers had hoped to seal the deal last year, but it doesn't appear that the production timeline for these cars has slipped any, with both expected to start rolling off assembly lines in 2015.
Other than a shared chassis with a rear-wheel-drive layout, it sounds like the two cars are still planned to be distinct in their own ways from their styling right down to their engines. Mazda will produce both cars at a plant in Hiroshima, Japan, but it isn't clear what role each automaker will play in the cars' developmental process. The big question, of course, is what clever portmanteau name we can come up with, like Toyobaru. Mazda Romeo is the easy choice, but Alfazda might roll off the tongue a little better.
Scroll down for a brief press release from both automakers.