A quote from TheCarConnection from today:


No Plans to Revive RX-7, Mazda Insists

Those expecting to glimpse a new rotary-powered Mazda sports car at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show will be in for a serious disappointment, several senior Mazda officials tell TheCarConnection.com. It’s not that the automaker isn’t exploring the idea of reviving its legendary two-seater, which went out of production last year. For the moment, though, it has its corporate hands full with the new four-seat RX-8, which is just in the midst of a global launch. There’s another problem, stresses Mazda Motors Board Member Steve Odell: limited production capacity for the new Renesis rotary engine. There’s only capacity for 60,000 of the engines a year, he notes, around what Mazda hopes to need for the RX-8, and expanding production would be “quite difficult.” Translation: extremely expensive. But there is a future for the rotary, he adds. “I’m sure we’d like” to produce other rotary-powered models, including a new RX-7, “if the demand is there.” A solid hit with the new car could be the encouragement Mazda needs. —Paul A. Eisenstein


:( :( :(

but this is the car biz we're talking about, when there's a demand, someone will listen ;)

what?

i thought it was pretty much confirmed and that plans for the new 7 were drawn up when the 8 was being developed?

??? huh?

that sucks

Only thing that is certain is death and taxes

the quote is suspicious.

Lookie here.
http://www.motortrend.com/autoshows/coverage/112_030905_frank_pre/

Unless the Mazda Kusabi is the wrong size... it looks to me like a 2-seat derivation of the now what 5 year old original RX8 or rx-01 concept.

I get the car connection email every morning. it looks accurate as reported by them. If you mean their information source may be wrong, I can't comment on that. It could be older too. but then again, the Renesis is hand-made, so it would take a lot more space and trained folks to assemble them.

Originally posted by ProtoConVert
Unless the Mazda Kusabi is the wrong size... it looks to me like a 2-seat derivation of the now what 5 year old original RX8 or rx-01 concept.

except it's powered by a diesel, not rotary, and it's based on the new mazda axela (i think).

after i reread the carconnection news, it seems kinda stupid. mazda didn't really INSIST there's no new rx-7... they merely stated that problems need to be overcome, ie the production capacity for renesis right now (and that i believe; it is handmade). and they actually said they'd like to produce it. sounds to me they're just being vague and maybe even teasing. add to that what i heard earlier floating around that basic design for the next 7 is already done, and plus rumors of a new supra (or supra-ish vehicle), and the soon-to-be released new GTR, and the 350Z, and all this sports car renaissance that's going on right now, and plus mazda's finally back in the hands of japanese management, it's likely that mazda will still eventually produce an rx-7... unless the 8 really tanks and sinks the rotary, but that's not happening, is it? road&track quoted at the earliest 2005, but probably later than that. i'm keeping my hopes up. but in the mean time, i'm saving up for my rx-8...

IMO, there will be a new RX7. It's just that they don't want to take the spotlight away from the new up coming Miata and Mazda 3. After these new intros, there may be a 9, tribute, MPV. Then there is nothing else for Mazda to build, that's when the 7 will come.:)

a "9"
what is that

Originally posted by mikeb
a "9"
what is that


An RX-8 with 9 more HP? Sorry couldn't resist...


I think if sales are strong enough on the 8 they will make an RX-7, as of now they don't exactly seem to be flying off the lots but time will tell. The Mazda 6's sales have disappointed so far in the US and many believe it may keep a Mazdaspeed 6 from making it to these shores, we'll just have to wait and see what the figures look like after a year or two.

Ike

Originally posted by mikeb
a "9"
what is that

A replacement for the Millenia, which was a replacement for the 929. This was Mazda's "largish" sedan (bigger and more luxurious than the 6).

Originally posted by mikeb
a "9"
what is that

Or it could be a Supercar like the Dodge Viper,Ford GT(40),and Ferrari 360/575 compitition with a 3 rotor engine.:D :D :D
Still to cloudy to see what it could really be. Only time well tell.

Or it could be a Supercar like the Dodge Viper,Ford GT(40),and Ferrari 360/575 compitition with a 3 rotor engine.

No, unfortunately it is a replacement for the Millenia/929...

Originally posted by HEVNSNT
IMO, there will be a new RX7. It's just that they don't want to take the spotlight away from the new up coming Miata and Mazda 3. After these new intros, there may be a 9, tribute, MPV. Then there is nothing else for Mazda to build, that's when the 7 will come.:)

I'm inclined to think the same. They also have Ford's interests in mind, and they may not want any publicity until the last stages of development.

I thought the RX8 was the replacement for the Millenia?