Vehicle concepts are usually the attention-seeking creations that carmakers come up with to showcase their upcoming offerings, new technologies or a new design direction. Through several decades, perhaps thousands of concepts have been created, but only a few are quite memorable. One of these is Mazda's rotary concept of 1970 -- the RX-500. Let’s check out this trailblazing high speed rotary concept sportscar.

A Bet On The Rotary

Mazda RX-500 Concept rear
Via Tennen-Gas

The Mazda RX-500 was a culmination of years of work by talented engineers at the Japanese carmaker. By the time the Tokyo Motor Show opened in 1970, Mazda already had a new creation that would aptly celebrate and define its 50 years of existence. That year, Mazda was just eight years into the development of its rotary engine and around three after launching the Cosmo Sport, its first rotary-powered car.

Indeed, the RX-500 was a technological wonder ahead of its time. Its heart is a 982-cc twin-rotor 10A Wankel engine -- positioned between the front seats – that could rev at very high rpm comparable to superbikes (around 15,000 rpm) and could deliver around 247 hp of max output. This power is sent to wheels through a 4-speed manual gearbox from the RX87 Luce Rotary Coupe.

Made Light, Made Safe

Mazda RX-500 Concept museum
Via Top Gear

To ensure that such power can be put to use, Mazda’s engineers lightened the RX-500. So, they cut down the weight whenever viable and employed lightweight plastic body panels and a steel tube space frame around the engine. Featuring a Kamm tail design, the RX-500 tipped the scales at 1,900 lbs. (850 kg) and had a top speed of 150 mph.

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Boasting a wedge-like appearance, the RX-500 features forward-swinging butterfly-wing passenger doors and gullwing doors for the engine. But the real wonder is on the rear end, exemplifying the RX-500 as a mobile test bed for high-speed safety. During acceleration, the rear lights turn green. When the vehicle is at constant speed, they turn orange. As soon as the brakes are pressed, the lights become red.

Stashed In A Museum

Mazda RX-500 Concept Gran Turismo
Via Gran Turismo Fandom

After re-appearing at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the RX-500 had been stashed at Hiroshima City Transportation Museum. Yes, it still lives, but can’t be driven on the streets. However, there’s a way to pilot it, albeit virtually, via the Gran Turismo 6 and Gran Turismo Sport racing video games.

Source: Top Gear

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