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The recent news out of Japan hasn't been good for fans of front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-doors. First came word that Subaru and Toyota were postponing the launch of their boxer-powered RWD coupe, then the S2000 is killed off and finally reports suggest that Nissan has cancelled its Silvia successor. Thankfully, all is not lost. InsideLine is reporting that Mazda is hard at work on another version of the RX-7 and development is underway on the next RX-8, supposedly - and predictably - dubbed the RX-9.

According to IL's (traditionally) unnamed sources, Mazda is working on a 16X twin-rotor Wankel (two rotors, each displacing 800cc), boosting displacement of the current 13B by 300cc and putting out upwards of 270 hp in naturally aspirated guise. Mazda's aim for its next generation of rotary engines is to dramatically reduce emissions and boost fuel economy to the tune of 20%.

Mazda will likely use the same engine to motivate the RX-7, but in addition to offering a traditional manual gearbox, Mazda is developing a dual-clutch transmission with a twist: the DCT will allow drivers to set the exact points where the clutch packs engage for maximum performance on the track.

The RX-7's circuit-friendly cred is enhanced by the report that Mazda engineers are struggling to keep the coupe's curb weight in check. An all-new chassis is being developed that will supposedly eliminate around 220 pounds, bringing the RX-7's weight down to approximately 2,640 pounds.

We're keeping our fingers crossed that both the RX-7 and RX-9 will make an appearance during this year's show season, although the way things are going, we don't expect to see either at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

[Source: Inside Line | Image: Motor Magazine via Carscoop]

Rumormill: Mazda RX-7 still under development, next RX-8 to be called RX-9 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazdamazda rx-7mazda rx-9mazda rx7mazda rx9MazdaRx-7MazdaRx-9MazdaRx7MazdaRx9rx-7rx-9rx7rx9tokyotokyo 2009tokyo motor showTokyo2009TokyoMotorShowThu, 12 Feb 2009 20:36:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1458863/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/12/rumormill-mazda-rx-7-still-under-development-next-rx-8-to-be-c/1458863/article-detail.xml 1458863 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/mazda_rx-7_render_280op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/mazda_rx-7_render_280op.jpg <![CDATA[Rumormill: 2012 Mazda RX-9, real or fake?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/rumormill-2012-mazda-rx-9-real-or-fake/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/rumormill-2012-mazda-rx-9-real-or-fake/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/rumormill-2012-mazda-rx-9-real-or-fake/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

UPDATE: The renderings come from the latest issue of Winding Road, which contains a whole article on Mazda's plans for a new RX. Click here for more.

click above for more images of this 2012 Mazda RX-9 concept

The only car brochure we ever held on to was for a 1993 Mazda RX-7. It was the baddest car of the time -- the 300Z was four years old, the 911 had gone soft, Ferrari had that hideous 348, the C4 Corvette never really did it for us, and the lunar lander Supra hadn't landed yet. The low, tiny twin-turbo monster was it as far as we were concerned.

Which is why we are always happy to read about the next coming of the RX-7. Just Put has renderings of an RX-9 concept that it says would have a Wankel powerplant of somewhere around 1.8 liters, and be more oil and fuel efficient than the current generation. Power would make it to an unidentified number of wheels via a dual-clutch 6-speed transmission and limited-slip diff.

We have no idea from where these two renderings have come. They could be official images that were leaked. Their slightly low resolution supports that theory, as often leaked images are small and enlarged beyond their resolution later. Or it could be a nicely done photochop by a fanboy. Either way, we think it lacks aggression and the rear looks highly derivative. The front end's nicely complex features doesn't seem to match the simple buttocks, another reason why it might not be the real deal. But hey, first let's get verification that an RX-something-fast really is on the way, and we can sort out the styling later.

Thanks for the tip, Jon!

[Source: Just Put]

Rumormill: 2012 Mazda RX-9, real or fake? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazda rx 7mazda rx-9mazda rx9MazdaRx-9MazdaRx7MazdaRx9rx-7rx-9rx7rx9Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1072946/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/28/rumormill-2012-mazda-rx-9-real-or-fake/1072946/article-detail.xml 1072946 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/mazdarx9_1_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/mazdarx9_1_opt.jpg -1 2