Autoblog

Mazda to revive RX-7 in... 2017?

George Kennedy — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Mazda, Rumormill

There is a special place in our hearts reserved for the Mazda RX-7. Its screaming rotary engine made the '80s and '90s a time of high-revving fun. While Mazda continued the rotary with the four-door RX-8, the two are not the same car, and eventually the latter was phased out.

The Motor Report is the latest outlet to crank up the rumormill over a return to Wankel power and an RX sports car for the troubled Japanese brand. According to TMR, a rotary engine could come back - and so could the RX-7 nameplate - albeit not overnight. The return of the RX-7 is said to be set for 2017, and the source quoted is none other than Mazda sports car boss Nobuhiro Yamamoto.

Speaking with the press at a local launch of the updated MX-5 Miata, Yamamoto said the future RX-7 would have a curb weight close to that of the Toyota GT 86 (about 2,600 pounds), and have a larger emphasis on the driver's involvement. Yamamoto was also the powertrain chief for the JDM-market FD3S generation (1992-2002 model) and was extremely proud of that engine. Yamamoto reportedly says he would prefer a naturally aspirated version of that engine over any kind of forced induction solution, claiming that the 16X rotary engine that has been developed would be capable of 220kW (295 hp) in that configuration. The 16X was developed in 2007 but has yet to find its way into a production vehicle.

2017 would mark the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the rotary engine. Frankly, it would be a shame if some form of the quirky and revvy powerplant was not found under the hood of a sports car anywhere in the market.

Mazda to revive RX-7 in... 2017? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is what a six-rotor Wankel looks and sounds like

George Kennedy — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Technology, Videos, Australia

Ah, the Wankel. You magnificent, high-reving feat of unorthodox engineering. Your biggest champion, Mazda, may have left you - at least for the moment - but that doesn't mean some mad mechanics can't rally you and a few friends for a high-horsepower party.

The folks over at Pulse Performance Race Engineering of New Zealand have constructed an engine made from six, count 'em, six Wankel rotors. The mere fact that this engine starts and runs is a testament to the mechanical know-how of these guys. For comparison's sake, Mazda's own Le Mans-winning 787 prototype utilized a four-rotor Wankel. Another four-rotor was constructed by BMI Racing's "Mad Mike," whose engines are worked on by Pulse Performance.

Scroll below to see the video and hear it for yourself. The engine's sound is not what you would expect from a rotary, and if we're being honest we don't find it terribly pleasant to listen to, but it's still an awfully impressive feat of engineering. We're not sure what kind of vehicle this insane powerplant will grace (we're guessing a drag car), but whatever it is, it figures to be one-of-a-kind.

Continue reading This is what a six-rotor Wankel looks and sounds like

This is what a six-rotor Wankel looks and sounds like originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda builds final rotary engine

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Plants/Manufacturing, Mazda

Mark it down, auto enthusiasts. Mazda built its last rotary engine on Friday, June 22.

By final, we mean the line that assembled Renesis engines for Mazda's RX-8 sports car was idled, and there are currently no plans to restart its production. Mazda has a long-running history of building Wankel powerplants, and its production of the high-revving engine has seen a few stutters since Mazda put the first dual-rotor Wankel in a production car in 1967.

Of course, it's always possible that Mazda finds a way to solve - or at least drastically improve - the failings of the Renesis: high fuel consumption and poor emissions. We've been hearing about the so-called 16X rotary for years, and we'd love to see it enter production at some point in the not-terribly-distant future.

For now, though, join us in remembering some of Mazda's past rotary-powered machinery in the image galleries above and below. Even if the world never sees another production rotary, at least it's been a good ride.

Mazda builds final rotary engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda rumored to use laser-ignition for next-gen rotary

Zach Bowman — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Technology, Mazda, Rumormill

Mazda Kabura Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Autocar is reporting that the next-generation rotary engine from Mazda may turn to a laser ignition system instead of traditional spark plugs. The report supposedly comes straight from the mouth of a shadowy senior engineer within the program. Mazda has been hard at work on the 16X Renesis rotary since around 2007 and the engine has seen quite a few evolutions over the intervening years. Autocar says that the design has seen displacement swell from 1.3 liters to 1.6 liters and that at least some parts of the engine have been designed to be made from aluminum to further reduce weight.

The work is in an effort to get the rotary to be more fuel efficient and provide more torque, the latter not usually being a chief attribute of this type of engine. According to Autocar, using a high-temperature laser ignition system would allow engineers to tune the Wankel to run leaner than systems that use a conventional spark plug. It would also reportedly allow the engine control module to more accurately adjust and monitor timing.

Mazda rumored to use laser-ignition for next-gen rotary originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda RX-9 to borrow hybrid tech from Toyota

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Mazda, Rumormill

2006 Mazda Kabura Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The rotary rumormill continues to spin about as fast as a Renesis engine at redline (that's 9,000 rpm, for those keeping track). Might the next rotary-powered RX from Mazda be a hybrid? It very well may, if you believe a report from Motor Trend.

Lending credence to the story is a 2010 agreement signed between Mazda and Toyota that would have the Zoom-Zoom company licensing the technology that makes the Prius tick. At the time, Mazda indicated that its first hybrid using Toyota technology would hit the market in 2013. Will it be in the form of an RX-9?

Motor Trend reports that the successor to the RX-8 will eschew reverse-opening rear doors for a standard coupe format with an architecture based on the platform of the next-gen Mazda MX-5. If true, we may be talking about the world's first real rear-wheel-drive hybrid sportscar for the mass market.

It's worth noting that a hybrid powertrain may very well cure what has forever ailed the rotary engine: low torque (electric motors make gobs of the stuff at low rpm) and high fuel consumption. We like the idea of Mazda forging forward with the rotary engine, especially one that's tuned to make a ton of horsepower at stratospheric spinning speeds like a proper rotary should.

One potential weakness, though, is that Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology uses a complicated continuously variable automatic transmission, and those have typically failed to provide the excitement of a proper row-for-yourself manual gearbox, or even a dual-clutch. In any case, we're content to adopt a wait-and-see attitude on this latest rumor.

Mazda RX-9 to borrow hybrid tech from Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Drift battle pits Mazda RX7 against Kawasaki ZX10

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Mazda, Motorcycle, Racing

The bike vs car debate extends into the drifting arena - Click above to watch video after the jump

Regardless of where you stand on the "drifting is/isn't a form of motorsports" debate, it's fun to watch a car being piloted on full opposite lock. But is it possible on a motorcycle? Icon Motorsports rider Nick Brocha answers with a fat sideways-smoking yes.

Icon may be known for providing gear for ~~maniacs~~ fans of two-wheeled transportation, but they also sponsor a team of skilled bikers. Brocha is one of those riders and he pits his modded Kawasaki ZX10 against Jim Guthrie and his Corvette-powered Mazda RX-7 drift machine. Add in some cameras (one strapped to an R/C car) and a prime location and we have ourselves an entertaining video, which you can watch after the jump.

[Source: Icon Motorsports via Hell for Leather]

Continue reading Video: Drift battle pits Mazda RX7 against Kawasaki ZX10

Video: Drift battle pits Mazda RX7 against Kawasaki ZX10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Report: Mazda working on next-gen rotary-powered RX-9

Noah Joseph — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mazda, Rumormill

Mazda Kabura Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from Autocar, Mazda is currently working on a successor to the old RX-7 and the current RX-8. (We've heard this before. Many times.) Believed to carry the RX-9 nameplate, the next-gen sports car is tipped to ditch the innovative but clumsy quasi-four-door layout of the current RX-8, and that the platform is to be spun off from the MX-5 roadster. But what you really want to know about is the engine.

Dubbed the 16X project, the new Renesis rotary engine is expected to grow in size considerably over the RX-8's and pack around 300 horsepower - quite a bit more than the 232 hp we enjoy in the current car. Mazda is also said to be hard at work keeping the engine as clean and efficient as possible, as the current RX-8's high fuel and oil consumption have driven it out of certain markets already. The Japanese automaker could alternatively turn the RX-9 project strictly into a hydrogen halo vehicle, which might be nice if you happen to live near a hydrogen pipeline, less so for the rest of us.

Gallery: Mazda Kabura Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Mazda working on next-gen rotary-powered RX-9 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next Mazda RX-8 to use Sky G rotary

Zach Bowman — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Technology, Mazda

Mazda has big plans for the future of its rotary engine. According to GoAuto, the company is currently hard at work on improving the powerplant's fuel economy by a full 50 percent. If it can pull it off, the new mill will proudly wear the same "Sky" designation as its traditional four-cylinder counterparts. The site quotes Seita Kanai, Mazda's director of R&D and program management, as saying that upping the rotary's fuel economy is essential for the engine's survival.

From the sound of things, Mazda is wholly committed to keeping a rotary in its stable. In the report, Kanai says the company is investigating every possible aspect of the engine's design to look for ways to increase efficiency, down to the very principles behind the design. Even so, he stopped short of saying whether or not the company is toying with an electric turbocharger as part of development.

Even with word that the Japanese automaker is stoking the rotary flames, GoAuto reports the company currently has no plans for a legitimate RX-7 successor. While designers and engineers within the company may be itching to jump onto a new sports car, the company's decision makers are currently more occupied with slimming its corporate average fuel economy.

[Source: GoAuto]

Report: Next Mazda RX-8 to use Sky G rotary originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shocking Rumor! Mazda considers RX-7 revival

Zach Bowman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mazda, Rumormill

Rumors about a true successor to the FD RX-7 have been kicking around automotive circles since... oh, just about exactly when the car left the world for good way back in 2002. While it could be argued that the Mazda RX-8 is a spiritual progeny of the Zoom-Zoom kingdom's white night, the four-door sports car doesn't quite stack up to its curvaceous predecessor. It would seem that Autocar is doing its best to keep the flame alive for the return of the RX-7, this time with - gasp - a new set of leaked details from an insider close to the project. Consider us stunned.

According to Autocar, the project could yield a car much closer to the original RX-7 recipe by as early as 2013. Supposedly - and stop us if you've heard this one before - the company is working on a new rotary mill to be used with an electric turbo for a little extra grunt. With the RX-8 on its way out the door and no word of a replacement on the horizon, it would seem only fitting for Mazda to be working on something rear-wheel drive with a Wankel at its heart, but given the lack of hard sources and solid details, we're going to have to take this one with a jumbo-sized side of skepticism.

[Source: Autocar]

Shocking Rumor! Mazda considers RX-7 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next Mazda RX-7 in development, but don't hold your breath

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mazda, Rumormill, Diesel

Mazda Furai Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's the rumor that just refuses to die. We're not sure if that means there's a lot of truth behind it or it's just wishful thinking, but once again we're hearing that Mazda is hard at work on a new RX-7 sportscar. And while you might think such a vehicle would be as easy as adding a turbocharger to the existing Renesis-powered RX-8 and jettisoning the back seat (or pulling a Kabura with the MX-5's platform), Mazda apparently has much more grandiose intentions for its next range-topping sportscar.

According to Motor Trend, Mazda's oft-talked-about 16X rotary engine is now capable of running on either gasoline or diesel with nary a difference in performance. We have to wonder about the accuracy of such claims, but if true, perhaps running on diesel or biofuels would give Mazda the eco-cred it's aiming for - specifically boosted fuel economy and lower CO2 output. In any case, MT says that Mazda is aiming for something north of 300 horsepower with improved fuel consumption, emissions and oil intake over the current Renesis.

As ever, we're taking a wait-and-see approach to these continuing rumors. As much as we'd love to see a new RX on the scene, we're beginning to wonder if it's ever going to happen. In the meantime, enjoy the photo gallery of the too-awesome-for-words Mazda Furai concept.

Gallery: Mazda Furai Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

Report: Next Mazda RX-7 in development, but don't hold your breath originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mazda designer wants to revive RX-7

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mazda

Mazda Kabura Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ikuo Maeda, Mazda's design overlord, designed the soon-to-be-Stateside Mazda2. He also penned the Mazda RX-8, following quite literally the path his father laid before him: Maeda's father created the original Mazda RX-7. Now Maeda wants to bring the RX-7 back to life, saying "I do have a strong yearning to revive the RX-7 during my tenure."

Even though many enthusiasts would like nothing more than for Mazda to tap that root, we have heard that other Mazda officials queried on the subject poo-pooed the idea, asking "Why go backwards?" If we were to answer, we'd say "Because things were awesome back then. Except for the warranty claims..." That latter point being another reason the last RX-7 is not exactly a fond memory for the Japanese brand.

For it to have any chance at all, though, Maeda said "... we need the U.S. economy to come back, first and foremost." We hereby give you our permission to begin buying everything.

Gallery: Mazda Kabura Concept

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Mazda designer wants to revive RX-7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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 Throughout History

[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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Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Japan

First generation Mazda Miata - Click above to see entire list of future Japanese Collector Cars

"Everybody wants to go to the dance, no one wants to stay and clean up." So says Robert De Niro's Sam in John Frankenheimer's spy thriller/car porno Ronin. We mention the line, because it's not only well written, but nicely sums up most people's attitudes towards classic, collector cars. Yes, we'd all love a Boss 302 Mustang or a Maserati Bora, but no one wants to pay the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to procure and maintain them. But what if in the future collector cars weren't limited to American muscle or exotic Europeans? What if relatively cheap and reliable Japanese cars came to be collectors items?

Regardless of the answer, that's the exact future that Tim Suddard, publisher of both Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports, is predicting. In fact, here's what he has to say about it:

Right now Japanese cars are generally overlooked by the collector car world, but we expect that to change. A generation that grew up on Hondas, Datsuns and Mazdas is coming of age where they're after the icons of their youth. Where previous enthusiasts paid big money for the Mopars, Chevelles and GTOs that they couldn't afford when teens, we expect the same happen soon with milestone Japanese cars.

Which, if what Suddard is saying is true, means that both demand and price should increase. Which is probably... bad. Click here to see the ten cars (with captions) that Suddard claims are going to be future classics, plus our own two cents on each selection. And of course, what do you think? Also - like what you see? If you're in the Southern California area, don't miss the 2009 Japanese Classics car show this weekend

Gallery: Tim Suddard's ten most collectable Japanese cars

Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mazda RX-7 still under development, next RX-8 to be called RX-9

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:36:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda, Rumormill

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.

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Auction of the Day: Mint 1984 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE for a good cause

Dan Roth — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Mazda

Click above for image gallery of Patti Wilhelm's GSL-SE

For the first generation Mazda RX-7, it didn't get any better than the GSL-SE. The FB cars were done by 1985, and the GSL-SE was only available for 1984-85. Carrying larger brake rotors, an upgraded suspension, revised front airdam and a fuel-injected 13B Rotary, SEs are sought after and a clean, unmolested original-owner car is a rare find, indeed. Patti Wilhelm's 1984 RX7 GSL-SE is the cleanest we've ever laid eyes upon. Even though it's traversed 291,000 miles since she drove it away from Valley Mazda in 1984, the car has been well cared for and has seen recent refurbishment and upgrades like Bilstein shocks.

Patti sadly passed away from kidney cancer in June, 2008. She wanted her RX7 to go to a good home, and that it should benefit others. Being a motorsports enthusiast and an animal lover, the beloved Mazda is being raffled off, with the proceeds going to The Humane Society of the United States. Autoweek magazine is helping coordinate online bidding, which currently stands at $7,100, and will close at midnight on December 14th. We're wowed more by the quality of Patti's life than anything, but the car is just as much a class act. Head on over to place your bid for a good cause.

Gallery: RX7 GSL-SE

[Source: Autoweek via MotorWorldHype]

Auction of the Day: Mint 1984 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE for a good cause originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: 2012 Mazda RX-9, real or fake?

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Mazda

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.

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Rendered Speculation: Mazda's Taiki-inspired RX-7 revival

Dan Roth — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Japan, Mazda

"We've just introduced a special edition of the RX-8" was the response from a Mazda rep when asked when we might get a new RX-7. Not the answer to the question, but we understand that it's all hush-hush when it comes to whatever might be in store on the 2-door, rear wheel drive, not-an-MX-5 tip. A new RX-7 (FE?) will debut within the next three years according to Autocar, and it will be the first production car to carry the design themes presented in Mazda's latest series of concept cars (Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki). The RX-8 will be freed up to evolve into more of a GT if the 7 comes to be. Autocar has had its digital image wizards whip up what they think the car might look like. We hope not, as it looks like what might happen if a Corvette stopped short in front of a Testarossa. In other words, it looks like 1988.

Joining the new "flow"-ing exterior lines will be a thoroughly revised rotary engine. Bumped out to 3.2 liters, the new Wankel will have direct fuel injection and sport forced induction via turbocharging. Reshaped combustion chambers are said to improve thermal efficiency, burn more completely, produce more low end torque, and return better fuel economy (woo-hoo!). We're surprised they didn't switch it's fuel to Unicorn sneezes, as the rest of the improvements seem like a fairy tale outcome for the wimpy, thirsty Wankel we know and love.

[Source: Autocar]

Rendered Speculation: Mazda's Taiki-inspired RX-7 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6

Dan Roth — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Buick, Mazda

Here's another example of liking the individual hardware pieces, but being repulsed by the idea of the ultimate combination. RX7s are cool. Grand Nationals are cool. But a vehicular mash-up of a 1993 RX-7 powered by a Buick GN's V6 seems a little weird. Weird to think that it even gets past regulatory agencies, as it's an older, totally alien engine in a newer car, which might make it interesting to register in a state with California emissions. The swap is well done, though, even if we'd question the handling a heavier and much more powerful engine in the snout brings with it. It's fast, but does it understeer like a pig and snap the tail out? The seller seems to have focused on posting low elapsed times in the quarter mile, so think about that when you conjure what the dynamics may be. Follow the jump for more.

[Source: eBay via Carscoop]

Gallery: GN powered RX-7

Continue reading eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6

eBay find of the week: Mazda FD RX-7 equipped with Grand National turbo'd V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: RX-7 owner loses all four wheels

Dan Roth — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:23:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos

Hey, look at me, I'm a TuFF-GuY(C)! I know! Let's abuse our cars and call it a "sport!" So, drifting was kind of fun when we were 16 and called it "donuts," at least until we learned how much a set of tires cost (and universal joints shortly thereafter). The owner of this 3rd-generation RX-7 perpetrates a horror on one of our favorite cars by being in a big hurry to show off. Apparently, his mind was so addled by the opportunity to create acrid smoke that he forgot one little detail. Off he goes, ready to be impressive, and then the wheels come off his little dream cruise. Literally. All the lugnuts, sitting in the paddock. Whoops. Bet it was a quiet ride back home, perhaps with a few new squeaks and rattles from below.

Uh, yeah, so it was at an SCCA autocross event, not a drifting event, where all four wheels on this RX-7 fell off. Our blogger Dan, meanwhile, has been charged with a BWI - Blogging While Intoxicated. He gets belligerent towards examples of induced oversteer when he's on the sauce - Ed.

Thanks for the tip, Jaymez!

Video after the jump.

[Source: Break.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: RX-7 owner loses all four wheels

VIDEO: RX-7 owner loses all four wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrate 40 years of rotary power with Mazda

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 30 May 2007 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Mazda

Click image for a gallery of the Mazda Cosmo Sport

The good old internal combustion engine has been in service since the 17th century when Sir Samuel Morland rather impractically used gunpowder to drive water pumps. It was not until 1876 when Nikolaus Otto invented the modern four stroke engine that the internal combustion engine became practical for automobiles, however. Those same four cycles, intake, compression, combustion and exhaust are used in the Wankel rotary engine, although instead of the strokes of a piston the rotary creates it's cycles as a roughly triangular shaped rotor spins inside its housing. Doesn't make sense? Click here.

2007 marks Mazda's 40th in using the rotary engine. Our favorite application of it would have to be the Cosmo Sport, of course. Many of you will choose the RX-7 as a personal favorite. It's also alive in the current RX-8, which even sports a hydrogen-powered version for the alternative fuel crowd. And we'd be remiss if we forgot to mention the jaw-dropping four-rotor 787B racer that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Those of us who own, or have owned, a rotary engined vehicle and loved it can take this moment to say "thanks" to Felix Wankel and to Mazda for its commitment to the rotary. Forty years and going strong!

We've assembled four galleries of famous Mazda rotaries, including the Cosmo Sport gallery below, as well as galleries of the RX-7, RX-8 and 787B Le Mans racer.

[Source: Mazda]

Gallery: Mazda Cosmo Sport

Continue reading Celebrate 40 years of rotary power with Mazda

Celebrate 40 years of rotary power with Mazda originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2007 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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