Rumormill: Mazda RX-7 concept headed to Tokyo Motor Show?
Ever since Mazda revived its Wankel rotary program in 2004 with the RX-8, the internet rumormill has constantly been abuzz with reports of a proper two-door RX-7 variant. The latest such rumor comes by way of Japanese magazine Best Car (via JDM-centric website 7Tune.com), which indicates the new sportscar has a 55% chance of making an appearance at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show in October.
We understand that Mazda's continual development of its rotary engine technology is likely to bring a displacement boost from 1.3- to 1.6-liters for the next RX model – whatever and whenever that may be – along with the seemingly contradictory qualities of more power, cleaner emissions and lower fuel consumption.
Naturally, Best Car provides a rendering of the supposed RX-7 to go along with the speculation of an October debut. Drawing inspiration from the expressive styling language from Mazda's recent concept cars along with a hearty dose of the happy-go-lucky expression of the current Mazda3. We'll see if there's any truth to this report in, oh, about three months.
[Source: 7Tune.com | Image: Best Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dustin 1:33PM (7/08/2009)
Keep plastering that Joker face on all your products, Mazda. Why so serious?
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zamafir 1:53PM (7/08/2009)
Agreed, if they put that joker face on the RX-7 concept it'll kill off whatever enthusiasts are left, unblighted by the RX-8's insane thirst for oil or lack of trouble free ownership. One of the most appealing features of the RX-7 was the design. The fact that something handled and drove so well and looked so perfect was part of the cars mystique. It was a lot more than just a torqueless engine.
Alex 2:07PM (7/08/2009)
I agree that the last RX-7 was a stunning design and one that will be forever appreciated by the motoring world.
But i think the new corporate face, while a little silly looking on the new 3, actually looks pretty good on this rendering. It loses some of that "drugs are fun" happy face for a more aggressive smirk.
3seriesisking 2:11PM (7/08/2009)
It's smiling at me....hahahaha.
Toy Yoda 2:40PM (7/08/2009)
I prefer a neutral face, but I will take a happy face any day, over the trite and over done angry/constipated look.
KC 2:47PM (7/08/2009)
Don't worry. It will take Mazda thousands of years to surpass the standard set by Nismo Z. If Rotary can't win against Nismo Z on track, RX-7 will be a stillborn.
Dave 2:57PM (7/08/2009)
I agree 100% with Toy Yoda. I don't know why people prefer mean, aggressive faces on cars. There was even a study on it a few years ago that showed people preferred such styling. (http://www.newser.com/story/39283/face-facts-people-prefer-mean-looking-cars.html) I'd take a Mazda3 over a "look-at-me-my-balls-are-huge-and-my-headlights-look-like-angry-eyes" car any day.
Motor_Yakuza 3:16PM (7/08/2009)
Are you nuts? This looks amazing, it looks so good that I had coked when I saw it. Love it.
geo.stewart 3:50PM (7/08/2009)
KC,
I'll take that bet. I'll pit a race tuned 1995 RX-7R against a NISMO 350Z any day.
lighter weight, better stock power to weight ratio, lower center of gravity.
the 7R is one of the best cars to ever come out of Japan, another being the last Toyota Supra.
I like the GTR and 15 years later, a techno marvel but pitted against its contemporaries, the 7R and Supra have it all over Nissan's offerings.
Adam 4:03PM (7/08/2009)
"by the RX-8's insane thirst for oil or lack of trouble free ownership"
If by "oil" you mean fuel then perhaps, yes. But I would never consider the half a quart of oil I put in my car ever 30 days or so "insane". Contrary to what image the RX-8 has developed in the general public's mind from the early model problems and rotary-knowledge-challenged owners, there are quite a high percentage of RX-8's that are trouble-free - my 4 year old, 60k mile RX-8 being one of those. Oh wait, I did have the 6-disc changer replaced and a gasket in a taillight replaced in 4 years so I guess it hasn't truly been trouble-free...
geo.stewart 4:04PM (7/08/2009)
looks like the same image as the toyotaru
Jeff 7:28PM (7/08/2009)
Beats the sad and/or retarded face on most GM products of the last couple decades.
zigzagz94 8:02PM (7/08/2009)
KC,
Are you talking about the same Nismo 370Z that doesn't come standard with an oil cooler and goes into limp mode within 10 minutes of track time? The one that you can't even buy a dealer installed oil cooler right now and if you put an aftermarket one on your brand new 40k vehicle will void your warranty. RX-8's don't have this problem during track duty so why do you think there is no way a new RX-7 could eclipse the nismo z. Every comparison has stated the mazda has better handling and breaking. The 16x will address the main problem of low hp, fuel economy, and torque.
Don't get me wrong I like the 370Z but currently it has a lot of mechanical problems and to not have an oil cooler (even as an option) on your track model (Nismo) is ridiculously unforgiveable. Nissan doesn't have any incentive to fix these problems though because fanbois like you will buy any piece of crap they put out. How long did it take them to even acknowledge let only fix the tire feathering issue on the 350z? At least Mazda stands behind their products, extends warranties, and replaces engines for free even if most of them don't need it.
cyde01 1:37PM (7/08/2009)
every year, the magazines that 7-tune uses as sources say the same thing... i wouldn't count on it happening.
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Pokey 1:46PM (7/08/2009)
I don't really care for this design language on the 3, but this looks promising!
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Marcello 5:17PM (7/08/2009)
I love rotaries but every year it's a new rumor...i'll wait and see until the auto show comes by.......until then its all B.S
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Affalterbach 1:43PM (7/08/2009)
I think apart from the 6, thats the only car that looks good with the grill. I hope that it turns out somewhat like the Kabura, not so much Nagare.
In anycase, an RX-7 is always good news.
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MikeofLA 1:45PM (7/08/2009)
Great application of the smile. However, this car has been more "On-again/Off-Again" then pretty much any other fictional car on the market.... except maybe the Supra.
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keep the change 1:53PM (7/08/2009)
""Ever since Mazda revived its Wankel rotary program in 2004 with the RX-8, ""
Incorrect. Mazda revived its Wankel rotary program prior to 2001, because my neighbor got his RX-8 in the spring of that year. They just didn't start selling them in the US until 2004.
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Adam 3:21PM (7/08/2009)
There wasn't an RX-8 for sale any where in the world until 2003.