REPORT: Mazda's design chief working on new RX-7

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Mazda

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]

REPORT: Mazda's design chief working on new RX-7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mazda RX-7 concept headed to Tokyo Motor Show?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda, Rumormill

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]

Rumormill: Mazda RX-7 concept headed to Tokyo Motor Show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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