End is near for the Mazda rotary ?

[tonyzoomzoom]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/111080935595/mazda-halts-rotary-engine-development

It's a sad day for fans of the rotary engine as Kiyoshi Fujiwara, Mazda's executive officer of product planning and powertrain development, has told Ward's Auto there is a "huge discussion" about the future of the unique powerplant.

While the engine hasn't been axed altogether, Fujiwara said current economic conditions have forced the company to re-evaluate several programs and the rotary engine is one of the things that could hit the chopping block. For the time being, the company has halted development of the engine and will focus on new SKYACTIV technologies.

Despite the challenges, Fujiwara contends rotary engines "are part of our soul" and the company has solved two of the three fundamental problems that have plagued the engine since it was originally developed. He wouldn't go into specifics, but said if SKYACTIV technologies become successful "We [can] get money to invest in [the] rotary engine."

[derrick]

Here's hoping Skyactiv is a hit.

[DJSkingz]

I would love to see a true successor to the RX-7 but this just means that the RX-7 will always be a legend.

[Heavenclosed]

the rotary may come back as a generator, both Mazda and Audi are thinking about using it in this manner.

[Alpinewhite6]

Autoblog reports that although the RX8 will be gone in 2011, they are still pursuing rotary development. http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/06/mazda-still-pursuing-rotary-development-could-incorporate-skyac/