REPORT: Mazda's design chief working on new RX-7
Click above for a high-res gallery of past Mazda RX-7s
We've been hearing rumblings about a Mazda RX-7 revival for so long, we've almost gotten numb to the idea of a next-generation, rotary-powered coupe. But Mazda's new design chief, Ikua Maeda, has given us a desperately needed hope injection when he told Autocar that initial sketches have been completed and he's campaigning Mazda execs to bring the new sports car to market.
The reborn RX-7 will likely be powered by Mazda's next generation Renesis 16X rotary engine, most recently seen in the Mazda Taiki concept, displacing 1.6-liters and making use of a longer stroke, direct injection and aluminum side housings. Outputs haven't been disclosed, but it's safe to assume the new mill will put out around 250 to 300 horsepower and a sizeable increase in torque, while boosting fuel economy and reducing emissions (and hopefully burning less oil in the process).
Maeda says the new RX-7 will move further upmarket than its predecessors, with a focus on higher interior quality going forward. Fine by us, but we hope a hardcore, track-focused version is in the cards as well. And if Maeda is to be believed, we could see the fruits of his labors in concept form as early as next year.
Gallery: Mazda RX-7
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Taglane 3:33PM (10/20/2009)
Just please don't give it that Joker face.
Ah what the hell. They will anyway ...
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geo.stewart 4:31PM (10/20/2009)
it will be a miracle if they come out with a design better than the last gen RX7.
that is still one of the most beautiful, purest sports body styles to be created.
and no, I'm not a JDM fanboi or anything. I just recognize beauty when i see it.
Nateb123 4:38PM (10/20/2009)
Yeah, when has Mazda ever made an RX-7 that is anything less than fantastic to drive and look at? I walk to work every day but I always linger near my parking spot in the morning to look at my 88 RX7. I can't imagine I'd even get to work if I had an FD though.
zamafir 5:53PM (10/20/2009)
it'll be impossible. I can't think of anything more perfect and appropriate than the RX-7's design for it's time and placement in the canon of cars. It's simply right on the mark, and still looks sensational, rare, and sexy today, more so than most cars as old, let alone Japanese.
audi_arena 6:04PM (10/20/2009)
I second every comment posted above...
...and also have my fingers crossed that they will somehow get it right because the RX-7 is one of my favorite cars of all time.
Tool 6:30PM (10/20/2009)
The third and final generation of the RX-7 was such a great car. Didn't sell well at all. Probably somewhat due to Mazda's poor marketing (remember they were launching a ton of cars in a short period of time, on a limited budget).
I think Mazda could pull it off now, now that they know how to market the brand. Given the fact that a fourth gen RX-7 probably wouldn't reach these shores until the mid-2010's that will be nearly 2 decades after the FD.
I owned one and it was a screamer. Nearly killed myself on numerous occasions due to the immense amount of power—those twin turbos were something else—and light weight. To this day, there still isn't anything quite like the rush of those two turbo chargers spooling up. Even the vaunted Turbo 911 can't match that feel, even though it has a lot more raw power.
Clavius 3:40PM (10/20/2009)
Rumors of this will just never die. I'll believe this when I actually see the concept and the logo Rx-7 on its front. Mind you I like the Rx-7 and Rx-8 (I owned one) but these rumors have made me numb to the fan boi responce of "OMG WOWZ MEZ WANTZ NOWZA!!!!!"...
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Rob 3:54PM (10/20/2009)
So true....but I can't help it, I love every one of them. It's always such a monumental tease when stuff like this is said and yet I always bite. Give us something tangible for once, damnit!
Tourian 6:38PM (10/20/2009)
I guess they just had to wait until Nissan jumped in first, Toyota finally commited to bringing their uber car to market, and for Honda to start developing the next NSX, but kinda holding off to see if things imporve.
Next up, Mitsubishi thinks about dusting off the VR-4 or GSX badge for market review.
Jeff McNeil 3:38PM (10/20/2009)
Where does this leave the RX-8?
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Jrejre 3:41PM (10/20/2009)
Fading away like it has for the last 7 years. . . Seems like they've given up on it, they're not even bothering to import more than 4 colors anymore
http://mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=RX8#/colors360
Clavius 3:48PM (10/20/2009)
I doubt it will happen but in my make believe lil mind Mazda could off set the cost of development for the 16x by having both a Rx-7 and Rx-8 model in its line up. Mazda remember is for some odd reason extremley tight lipped about future product line up and what we always hear is mostly hearsay. The Rx-7 will cover those that want a light weight sports coupe for track days. That will leave the Rx-8 for those that want a daily driver that at times wishes to take it to the track.
Motor_Yakuza 3:50PM (10/20/2009)
RX-7 will fight the GT-R and a possible Supra and NSX and the RX-8 witch will become RX-9 will go against 370Z, TT, 2.5 boxer engine Toyobaru, Genesis Coupe and others like that.
Monica Dickey 6:34PM (10/20/2009)
Yeah RX7 just has so much name recognition and nowadays I think companies who are doing okay just want to stick with what's safest.
Jimbo 8:01PM (10/20/2009)
Yakuza: as much as I like that idea, it doesn't fit Mazda's nomenclature. They would more likely rename the RX-8 as the RX-5 or RX-6 if it is to go against the 370Z, so that the RX-7 would be on top.
Gompo 3:41PM (10/20/2009)
Providing it's a proper coupe and not some rubbish like the Rx8, I reckon it will be quite good.
The oil consumption isnt the biggest deal in the world, many performance engines use oil (admittedly not so many US engines) but the Renesis can run on low quality fuel, which almost cancels out any extra expense spent on oil.
I hope the mpg improves a lot though!
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RX-8 5:17PM (10/20/2009)
The oil consumption is the most overblown issue i have ever seen. I dump in a quart halfway between oil changes. And I change the oil every 5000 miles. That is basically 3 quarts a year. I need to fill up the car with washer fluid more often than adding oil.
Level 3:40PM (10/20/2009)
I always keep hearing RX-7 revival this that but I remember clearly when the RX-8 came out it was the new new RX that moved it up market....so essentially the RX never died just like the Nissan Z went from the 350 to the 370Z, oxymoron to hear they are bringing back the RX-7 when it had already moved up level to the 8...... am I missing something hear????
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hashiryu 3:49PM (10/20/2009)
Agreed. We are supposed to be hearing about the RX-9
xpolarx 3:49PM (10/20/2009)
You are indeed missing something here...
Mazda stated from the beginning that the RX8 would be a companion car (a step below) the *new* RX7...problem was, they never got around to making the new RX7. If I remember correctly (someone call me out if I'm wrong), Mazda wanted to create a more "family oriented" sports car completely separate from the RX7 model line...it just ended up with the RX moniker to establish a fanbase using familiar brand identity.
Regardless of the specifics, I'm hoping for a TT reimagining of the 20B mounted aft of the front axle and no rear seats. That'd make me happy. 400hp and a sub-$45k price tag would make me happier.