Mazda Engineers Express Desire for RWD Models

While Mazda is enjoying plenty of success with its redesigned lineup of front-wheel drive models such as the Mazda3 and Mazda6, the Japanese automaker’s engineers are lobbying for some rear-wheel drive vehicles.

Middle- and senior-ranking engineers are pushing for rear-wheel drive development, saying it would help differentiate Mazda from its competitors. However, the automaker’s management believes it would be too costly to design new architectures to support a rear-wheel drive platform.

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Mazda has enjoyed success with its rear-wheel drive Miata and RX-series models and the Japanese automaker is in a partnership with Alfa Romeo on its next-generation sports car. The Italian automaker however, is still mulling over the benefits of a rear-wheel drive platform.

Given the success that the new Mazda3 and Mazda6 have already enjoyed, it’s unlikely that the automaker will make an all-out switch to enhancing its lineup with rear-wheel drive models. The next-generation MX-5 however will be a good indication of how well Mazda still is with building sports cars.

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[Source: Edmunds]

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