The Pikes Peak Internatinal Hill Climb, which will celebrate its 100th edition next year, will have a Mazda 3 with a rotary engine in the race. The most famous hill race in the world is certainly no stranger to cars with extravagant technical solutions. However, one of the most unusual projects of recent years is the one made on the basis of a Mazda 3 equipped with a rotary engine, a gem of the Japanese band. The idea came to the New Zealand driver Michael Widdett with a good experience behind him in terms of rotary motor vehicles with solutions derived from Mazda. An undertaking, therefore, which is to be considered in perfect Mazda style.
Over 1,200 hp engine combined with rear-wheel drive
The engine that Widdett intends to use is a four-rotor Wankel rotary, which presumably will have more than 1,200 hp while exploiting even with the significantly lower air pressure that it will find in the high altitude where Pikes Peak takes place. In addition, the car will be rear-wheel drive instead of the usual front or four-wheel drive, although it would not surprise us if Widdett used a modified version of the four-wheel drive supplied to the Japanese brand’s car. Final technical details are not yet defined.
The aerodynamic configuration for the car lined up in the race
As for aerodynamics, the car shown in Widdett’s Instagram renders will feature a chassis-mounted wing, two tailgate spoilers one above and one below the rear window, side skirts and a rear diffuser. It will also have new wheels and tires, a lowered suspension and an exhaust with exit from the hood as well as a bold Red Bull white and blue livery. The Mazda 3 used will always have 4 seats and 4 doors even if the race rules do not allow passengers or co-drivers to board.
A 2022 full of news for the Japanese brand
Waiting for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, 2022 will be a year of great news for Mazda. From the landing in Europe of the CX-60 followed by the CX-80. Then, in the fall, it will be the turn of the range extender with a rotary engine, among other things, destined for the electric MX-30. But for Mazda style centers whether they are in Germany in Leverkusen or in the United States in Irvine, in California or in Japan in Hiroshima, it is already time to look to the next generation of models. The one that will actually lead the Japanese brand to evolve the Kodo aesthetic language until 2030 and even beyond.
Driving pleasure remains Mazda’s highway
At a time when carmakers are insisting on electrification, on high technology, on the most useful and most necessary car rather than passionate, Mazda, as always, is heading in a completely different direction from the rest of the automotive sector. It has always been said that Mazda has argued that driving pleasure must remain the high road for future Mazdas as well. A concept that a few years ago would have been obvious, but which today seems to have taken on the flavor of a real revolution like that of Mazda.