Part of Mazda's history with coupes has rested on sports cars powered by rotary engines. In the 1980s and 1990s, the rotary engine propelled RX-7 existed as Mazda's halo sports car. While the RX-7 resembled a true two-door sport coupe, the 2004 debut of the RX-8 presented a coupe with a pair of rear passenger entry doors. As sales of the Mazda RX-8 were discontinued after the 2011 model year, it left the Japanese auto maker without a rotary-engined vehicle or a fixed-roof coupe. Through the 1990s, Mazda also marketed a small coupe-like hatchback called the MX-3. Since mid-1989, Mazda's representation in the coupe segment has rested on the MX-5 or Miata roadster. For 2016, the Mazda MX-5 roadsters have been completely reworked to incorporate SkyActiv technology promoting improved operating efficiency.
