What could this possibly mean?
This Mazda news comes from an unlikely source. A sharp-looking R logo was apparently filed in Japan. However, it was discovered and shared by a member on the New Nissan Z forum. Even the Nissan faithful seem to be interested in Mazda’s potential performance events.
We use potential performance to describe this logo. This logo was created without any information, rumors or other details. What you see is what your get. The application states that it was submitted June 3, so it is already a few months old. Important to note that this application is for a trademark and it is not yet official. To see if Mazda might be reaching out to other trademark organizations, we searched the globe, but it appears that this logo is the exclusive property of Japan.
We’d be open to hearing from any other manufacturer about the possibility of a performance model. The R logo is the universal symbol of fun behind the wheel. We believe this logo could be used to represent some form performance, if the trademark is approved. The stylized R logo’s angular lines, and red triangle could be reminiscent to a rotary engine.
However, this does not mean that a rotary-powered sportscar is likely to happen. Mazda has already stated that a rotary engine will be used to extend the range of hybrid vehicles. However, plans for the MX-30 crossover are still in development. It is possible to invoke the rotary’s history for a new RX sport car, even though it does not have a rotary engine.
This is where the story takes an very interesting twist to the performance realm. Mazda enthusiasts will notice a clear resemblance to the Japanese-spec RX-7 Spirit R badge. Mazda recently filed for the Spirit trademark. All of this points to something exciting in Mazda’s future. However, at the moment, we don’t know what. We might see an MX-5 Spirit R in coming years, to give the internal combustion roadster a proper sendoff. Perhaps a new RX model is in the works? We will only know the outcome when it arrives.