Mazda is definitely onto something with the striking RX-Vision Concept, but before deciding whether to put it into production, it paraded it to Europeans at the Geneva Motor Show this week.
Details on the new version of the 16X rotary engine that propels the study are still not available, with Mazda’s press release just repeating the talk on the car’s Kodo design philosophy and reminding us that it was named “Most Beautiful Concept car of the Year”, in January, at an event in Paris.
Mazda engineers are hoping that if they can solve the fuel economy, emissions and reliability issues with the constant development of the 16X wankel engine, the company’s brass will give the car the green light. Here’s crossing our fingers that they do…
Joining the RX-Vision in Switzerland is the 2016MY Mazda3, which has received a frugal SkyActiv-D engine, borrowed from the Mazda2 and CX-3. The unit has a 1.5-liter displacement and it is capable of producing 105 PS (103 HP) and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) maximum torque.
Accelerating from naught to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 11 seconds in the compact car, when equipped with the 1.5-liter SkyActiv-D, and top speed stands at 187 km/h (116 mph). Average fuel consumption is 3.8 L/100 km (61.9 mpg US) and CO2 emissions are lower than 100 g/km. The 1.5-liter powered Mazda3 is already available for order in right-hand drive markets and it will go on sale in the rest of Europe this spring.
PHOTO GALLERY
