New Mazda RX-7 may replace slow selling RX-8

[revvo]

Mazda are preparing a replacement for the slow-selling RX-8, ready to combat the forthcoming Toyota/Subaru FT-86 and Hyundai’s Genesis Coupe. Rather than sticking with the RX-8 name, reports coming out of Japan say that the company is keen to revive the RX-7.

The new model will use Mazda’s next-generation Renesis 16X rotary engine which was shown at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show in the Taiki concept. The 1600cc twin-rotor Wankel engine (800cc x 2) is larger than the current RX-8’s 654cc x 2 configuration and is rumoured to be capable of producing nearly 350 bhp and 215 lb-ft of torque, compared to the RX8’s more modest 227 bhp and 159 lb-ft of torque.

Earlier reports had suggested that Mazda would utilise the full potential of the new Renesis 16X engine, enclosing it within a body that took its styling cues from the Furai Concept, but we now hear Mazda are steering towards a more conventional design that evokes the original RX-7 and can be priced aggressively against its new competitors.

Choosing an output of nearer 250 bhp would enable Mazda to focus on lowering the weight of the engine itself, improving reliability and lowering fuel consumption, which would address some of the issues found with the current RX-8’s 13B rotary engine.

The RX-8 replacement was originally muted to appear in 2012, however according to Edmunds Inside Line we may now see it as early as 2011.

source: http://www.skiddmark.com/new-mazda-rx-7-ma...w-selling-rx-8/

It was bound to happen if you ask me.

First, Nissan brings back the GT-R. Then Hyundai created an affordable Genesis Coupe RWD car. Then Toyota decides to work on an affordable RWD competitor, and now a new RX-7? God dammit Honda, what are you waiting for? Soichiro Honda would be dissapointed :hmmm:

[gian]

Sadly, I don't see Honda doing anything :(

They seem like they are lost, they were working on the NSX replacement with a V10 which got "deleted" due to the state of economy.

Then there is the HSV-010 Honda is going racing with, but I think they have said they aren't going to produce it.

Plus if they have us begging they should at least release something more Hond-ish like a V6. Leave the V8 for Ferrari :D

But they are not focusing on fast sports car anymore it seems.

[Tech Star]

NooooOO! I love the RX-8's design and they are going to get rid of it. :( The RX-7 (current) is UGLY and unless they make it as good looking like the RX-8 I am still going to hate it. :(

[revvo]

The RX8 chassis is amazing, but that engine is just too underpowered. If this new RX7 does indeed produce 350hp with a NA rotary, it will be a very interesting car.

Then there is the HSV-010 Honda is going racing with, but I think they have said they aren't going to produce it.

Plus if they have us begging they should at least release something more Hond-ish like a V6.

Have you heard the damn thing? The V8 sounds like an F1 car and looks like it corners pretty fast as well :pinch:

[AltecXP]

The RX7 is the only other car(MSP) Mazda has made that I actually like. It had better have a turbo option again, that was what made it so craved for tuners vs the competition.

The 8 would have been nice had it not barely been able to out run a Ford Escort.

Edited December 28, 2009 by HouseOfLeaves

[BGM]

do it! do it! do it! do it! do it! do it! do it! do it!

:D

[bloodrain]

NooooOO! I love the RX-8's design and they are going to get rid of it. :( The RX-7 (current) is UGLY and unless they make it as good looking like the RX-8 I am still going to hate it. :(

there is no current RX7... it was discontinued a while ago, and the "current" (aka 3rd gen) RX7 is a master piece, way ahead of its time. Similiar to the Supra.

[hougtimo]

Am I missing something? The RX7 and Supra have been long dead and they're both horrible, horrible jellymould designs.

The RX8 has been out a few years, and is a wonderful car to drive; even if it isn't the most powerful. I really hope they don't get rid of the current design with the suicide doors :o

[gian]

The RX8 chassis is amazing, but that engine is just too underpowered. If this new RX7 does indeed produce 350hp with a NA rotary, it will be a very interesting car.

Have you heard the damn thing? The V8 sounds like an F1 car and looks like it corners pretty fast as well :pinch:

I doubt it will produce 350HP. It will have lower mpg than a mclaren f1 lol

It makes sense for the Honda to sound like an F1 car but I'd rather have the V10 NSX! Or a high-revving smaller engine. (of course I'll probably won't be buying it so they can ask someone who will actually buy one lol)

[revvo]

Yeah, I wonder how they'll counter that. Rotaries don't get the greatest mileage, but they do love to rev high :D

[_neutrino Veteran]

Better come with a redesign.

[rathefeare]

Great news. As a long time RX-7 owner I have been waiting for this ever since they stopped making the 3rd gen for the US market. There were rumors back even before the RX-8 that it would be returning. I just hope they make it an actual dedicated RWD, 2 door, 2 seater sports car and keep the weight low. I have high hopes as Mazda is one of the few that actually believe in lightweight cars anymore. I would also hope a few years down the line a turbo version would also be offered. 350hp from a NA is achievable. The old 1.3 could pull off 200ish in NA using 1970's technology and build. Even if they use the newer RX-8 based 2.0 Renesis engine instead of its own independent engine they should be able to get close to 350. Using the new 16x engine there is even more room to work with.

All 3 previous generations were great looking and I hope this one would be also.

[MulletRobZ]

Uh, wouldn't it make more sense to simply call it the second generation RX-8 or if it needed a name change, the RX-9? Reverting to the RX-7 just sounds awkward.

As for Honda, I agree with revvo that they desperately need to get next generation versions of the NSX as soon as possible. Also, they should get an S2000 successor.

[revvo]

RX-7 is fine if it's still a lightweight 2 seater rotary. That's what the RX-7 always has been, and seeing how Mazda stays true to the cars they believe in (Miata's, rotary engines), I'm sure they won't mess this up.

[0nyX]

RX-7 was more of a supercar and still is.

RX8 is a piece of junk.

[Motoko.]

Interesting to say the least.

I'm eying the 370Z but now I have more options to choose from. Legendary were the days of the FC.

[PapiChuloNica]

Great news, I glad their bring back the RX7 and as for the RX8, it has a great exterior design and its handle pretty well. As for the motor, its completely garbage (too under powered).

[sn00pie]

I think they really need to chuck out the rotary that was in the RX-8 and give us something new. The RX8 was a great looking car, but the ****ty engine killed it when compared against the 350z and other cars in the same category.

[rathefeare]

I think they really need to chuck out the rotary that was in the RX-8 and give us something new. The RX8 was a great looking car, but the ****ty engine killed it when compared against the 350z and other cars in the same category.

I am a self acknowledged rotary fanboy so let me put that on the table right up front. I think too much was made of the failings of that engine. It was after all pushing 230hp out of a 1.3 liter. And it did win several engine awards. Most of the "failings" of that engine could be attributed to poor or improper maintenance. And those people that wanted great fuel economy from a rotary and out of a sports car were looking at the wrong car to begin with. That is like buying a small framed 44 mag and complaining about recoil.

Keep in mind that pretty much only Mazda is doing rotary engine and has really only put out a handful compared with the thousands of different piston and cylinder engines that have been done during the last 100 years. The Wankel engine is still in closed beta by comparison. It is rumored though that the new rx7 will be using the 16x engine though so the point is probably moot.

The comparison between the 350z and the RX8 is unfair also. The RX8 in 09 listed for about 24k base and the 350z listed for about 34k. Given 10k I am sure you could close the performance gap between those 2 cars. I am not trying to elevate the RX8 too much either. I vastly prefer even a 2nd gen RX7 to it, nor am I looking to denigrate the Z as they are great cars as well. It is just that the comparison is not fair.

[Praizewood]

I am a self acknowledged rotary fanboy so let me put that on the table right up front. I think too much was made of the failings of that engine. It was after all pushing 230hp out of a 1.3 liter. And it did win several engine awards. Most of the "failings" of that engine could be attributed to poor or improper maintenance. And those people that wanted great fuel economy from a rotary and out of a sports car were looking at the wrong car to begin with. That is like buying a small framed 44 mag and complaining about recoil.

Keep in mind that pretty much only Mazda is doing rotary engine and has really only put out a handful compared with the thousands of different piston and cylinder engines that have been done during the last 100 years. The Wankel engine is still in closed beta by comparison. It is rumored though that the new rx7 will be using the 16x engine though so the point is probably moot.

The comparison between the 350z and the RX8 is unfair also. The RX8 in 09 listed for about 24k base and the 350z listed for about 34k. Given 10k I am sure you could close the performance gap between those 2 cars. I am not trying to elevate the RX8 too much either. I vastly prefer even a 2nd gen RX7 to it, nor am I looking to denigrate the Z as they are great cars as well. It is just that the comparison is not fair.

You pretty much summed up everything I thought when going through the posts.

The wankel engine is as you said in its very early stage and there is a lot of room for improvement. I hope the advantages it has as a hydrogen engine will bring it a bit more interest in the automobile world so progress will be faster and other makers than mazda research this otherwise genius engine.

[MR_Candyman]

my opinion: bring back the original rx-7. It's still a great looking vehicle, still a great car in every respect (aside from maybe the engine, it could use some updating), and there's tons of aftermarket support for it.

[rathefeare]

my opinion: bring back the original rx-7. It's still a great looking vehicle, still a great car in every respect (aside from maybe the engine, it could use some updating), and there's tons of aftermarket support for it.

Which one? I mean I love all three, but the third is a much more upmarket car than the first two. The third was undoubtedly the better performing car but it had the price tag to go with it too. I would hope they stay with the philosophy of the first 2 of making a good but affordable sports car. If they can squeeze me in the looks and performance of the third I won't complain one bit.

[MR_Candyman]

Which one? I mean I love all three, but the third is a much more upmarket car than the first two. The third was undoubtedly the better performing car but it had the price tag to go with it too. I would hope they stay with the philosophy of the first 2 of making a good but affordable sports car. If they can squeeze me in the looks and performance of the third I won't complain one bit.

They should re-release the third. They will have no r&d costs and if they kept the old tooling, they will not have to make new moulds. This will significantly reduce the cost.

[revvo]

I would gladly buy an FD with a better revision of the 13B engine, preferably naturally aspirated.

[MR_Candyman]

I would gladly buy an FD with a better revision of the 13B engine, preferably naturally aspirated.

The thing is so would a lot of other people. It's a fantastic looking and driving car