2012 Mazda RX-7 Still Under Development
Published Dec 23, 2009

HIROSHIMA, Japan — Early reports have indicated that the next-generation Mazda RX-7 might appear as early as 2011 as a 2012 model, and it has been expected to feature styling based on the Furai concept racecar, offer a 300-horsepower rotary engine and carry a $35,000 price tag.
But those rumors turn out to be just that — rumors. Now Inside Line has learned that a new rotary engine will power a more affordable RX-7, one that embodies the spirit of the first-generation car (the SA22C model), and output from this new engine will be a modest 200-250 hp. Meanwhile, the new-generation RX-7 is now expected to be priced around $25,000.
Although the topic of rotary engines has been kept quiet by Mazda recently (the company's line of SKY piston engines took the limelight at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show), a company executive who requested anonymity recently confirmed that Mazda is still secretly working on the 16X rotary engine, which appeared as a concept at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show.
While we hear that the 16X is still early in its developmental stages and issues regarding fuel economy and weight (too heavy) are rumored, the new 1,600cc two-rotor design supposedly has the potential to produce up to 350 hp with 215 pound-feet of torque. This makes it ideal for a new-gen RX-7, especially a car that embraces the ideals of the much beloved third-generation FD3S RX-7. The engine is also being developed for hydrogen fuel as well.
Which direction Mazda will choose is still unclear, but the less powerful, less expensive option seems to make more sense in the current economic climate, and would give Hyundai some competition for its new rear-wheel-drive Genesis Coupe.
Inside Line says: The RX-8's days appear to be numbered. It would make no financial sense for a small car company like Mazda to have three sports cars in its lineup, and because the MX-5 will likely not be discontinued, it's not difficult to deduce which one will get the proverbial axe. — Mak Tokuyama, Correspondent


http://www.insideline.com/mazda/2012...velopment.html

 

It's interesting to hear that Mazda may be developing a new RX-7 as a spiritual successor to the 1st gen rather than the 3rd. The pricing and power output would put this in line with the Toyota FT-86 concept. I'm interested to see what the RX-7 concept will look like if it's taking after the Furai. Perhaps by next year's Tokyo Auto Show Mazda will have one on display.

It is unfortunate that the RX-8 may die off rather than be replaced.

 

http://www.m-kuruma.com/soldout/A2795/a2795zentai-a.jpg
Cool.

 

350hp and 215lb/ft?!

No way
________
WEB SHOWS

 

this doesn't really surprise me at all, we've had one hell of a run.

 

Those are Mazda estimates remember, so you have to hack 50 hp off the estimate at least. I figure if they get the 16X running properly its going to be somewhere in the (nearly?) 300 flywheel hp range. That is if the car is released as a high compression naturally aspirated powerplant. That is IF Mazda even releases the thing at all because of a wait and see attitude with the 09+ RX-8 engine changes to see if the increased OMP injection resolves the engine failures.

If the OMP changes don't fix the issues with the engine failures then I wouldn't expect another rotary offering for some time.

 

Great news man!!! im just glad they are talkin about some stuff.. always secret about things.. One thing mazda always does! but the end result is alwyas much sweeter

 

i will be buying one

 

I don't see myself getting rid of the 8, ever. Hmm, adding a 16X RX to start my rotary family after I'm done with college and paying off loans? Perfect timing!

 

I to will be buying one...

 

Heh, the news is pretty isolated to that site though... as always, I'll believe it when I see it.