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# Mazda’s rotary dreams rekindled
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/mazda-turbo-rotary-engine-patent-emissions/
- Published: 2026-08-23T23:56:03.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-23T23:56:03.000Z
- Description: A new-generation rotary engine system from Mazda could be in the works, after a patent was discovered in the US.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News, Performance

Mazda seems to be stubbornly stuck with the idea of making rotary engines a thing again, with a patent for a new exhaust system showing it’s not giving up on potential development.

As first spotted by [*CarBuzz*](https://carbuzz.com/mazda-rotary-engine-emissions-patent-august-2026/?ref=torquecafe.com), the patent – filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) – outlines the implementation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for rotary engines.

In this system, the exhaust gases from the side port would flow directly into the turbocharger, while the lower volume of air coming from the peripheral port would go to an EGR cooler (using the engine’s coolant system), eventually heading back into the intake.

This, it’s understood, would result in reduced emissions when the system is active, addressing one of the main drawbacks of the rotary engine, which is typically less green than a traditional piston engine.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/08/mazda_rx-7_154.jpeg)

Mazda RX-7 twin-turbo 13B rotary engine

Though there’s no official plans for Mazda to introduce this system, nor bring back the rotary engine, it’s been making more than enough hints about doing so.

Last year, Mazda unveiled the [Vision X-Coupe](https://torquecafe.com/mazda-reveals-turbocharged-rotary-coupe/) at the Japan Mobility Show (formerly the Tokyo motor show), previewing a new-generation sedan with coupe design cues.

Fitted with a turbocharged two-rotor engine under the bonnet, it could be the spiritual successor to the FD RX-7, however, like the now-defunct MX-30 R-EV, this engine is used to support the plug-in hybrid powertrain.

In the MX-30 R-EV, a 830cc rotary engine recharged the onboard 17.8kWh battery, which was the source of power for its electric motor.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/08/MAZDA-VISION-X-COUPE_EXT_01-1.png)

Mazda Vision X-Coupe

This setup is technically more like a range-extender than a pure plug-in hybrid, and it’s understood that in the Vision X-Coupe, there’s no physical way for the rotary engine to drive the wheels.

We haven’t seen a Mazda with a rotary engine driving the wheels since the RX-8, after years of the brand making the likes of the RX-7, RX-3 and RX-4, to name a few.

Mazda has however left the door open for a model with a rotary engine in the future, with Mazda’s European product planning supervisor, Moritz Oswald, telling [*Auto Express*](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mazda/361326/new-mazda-rx-7-successor-rotary-power-could-happen?ref=torquecafe.com) the Iconic SP concept could reach production and sit above the MX-5, but there are a number of prerequisites to its arrival.

“If there’s a feasible way to do that, then I’m sure if somebody will do it, it’s Mazda, because here the enthusiasts still make things happen,” Oswald told *Auto Express*.

[Mazda reveals 375kW turbocharged rotary ‘coupe’The rotary engine has returned in Mazda’s latest concept car: a sleek coupe-esque sedan with the ability to run in silence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon-e18582a9-6d81-4938-8d7e-6944446667e7.png)Torquecafe.comJordan Mulach![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/thumbnail/mazda-vision-x-coupe-3-32fc71c3-c0d5-4c2a-824a-6cfcdc429cd0.jpg)](https://torquecafe.com/mazda-reveals-turbocharged-rotary-coupe/)

“I think at the moment the MX-5 is still our halo car that stands for everything that Mazda products should. Could there be something next to it or above? Yes.

“The amount of car enthusiasts in this company is insane,” he said. “Everybody loves cars, so of course there is a deep desire to keep on launching emotional products.

“So are we looking into that? Yes, of course. But again, we are also a company that has to bring in revenues.

“\[…\] that’s also why we are showing these kinds of concepts, because we also want to see how it is resonating, what’s the feedback, to try and find out how big is the opportunity that we have there.”

[Spiritual rotary-powered Mazda RX-7 successor a ‘dream solution’The Mazda RX-7 keeps coming up in conversations about what sports car icons should be revived, and the brand is well aware of it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon-f971f09d-efdf-44a2-8239-2150d46649c6.png)Torquecafe.comJordan Mulach![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/thumbnail/mazda_iconic_sp_02-1-7306516e-7a2e-49cf-9f4b-98118504ea5a.jpg)](https://torquecafe.com/mazda-iconic-sp-rx7-rotary-revival/)

Previously it was understood the rotary engine in the Iconic SP would act as a generator for the on-board battery which feeds an electric motor, becoming a range-extender.

A report by [*Motortrend*](https://torquecafe.com/mazdas-rx-7-successor-one-step-closer/) last year claimed the rear electric motor would produce about 270kW, much more than the official but under-rated 206kW turbocharged 13B rotary in the final FD RX-7s.

It’s worth noting that since the Iconic SP was revealed in concept form, Mazda has cut its investment in future electrified models - including the range-extender powertrain in the sports car - by about one-third.