DailyDriver2k5

Yeah i saw the newest Motortrend at the barbershop and i came across the article about " Future shock: Perfromance sports cars" . They were showing all the new sports cars for the next five years , anything from the Sti to the new Ferrari F460. Well they had pictures of all the new cars that were coming out, but for Mazda , they had a box talking about the next RX-7 and how the fans want there iconic car to come back and how Mazda is listening now.

They said there target is to keep the next RX-7 light , sleek and sexy. Also target Hp is 300HP N/A.( IMO i think Mazda will shoot for 320-350 but have 300 as there base if all else fails. )

But the article said we should see our next beloved rotary car somewhere in 2010/2011.

I don't know about you guys but this makes me wanting to buy a used Z-06, new Camaro, or even purchasing a GT-R skyline on hold. I am looking to buy a one of these rides by 2009 , keepng my 8, but if there are photos of the next RX-7, and it catches my eye, i will be purchasing a 7. My 8 is my first rotary but it sure won't be my last.


Also motortrend online only has half of the article online so you will have to see the full article in the mag.

velociti

iTrader: (1)

320-350? that's optimistic, though i for one wouldn't complain. personally 300 n/a hp would be perfect in my opinion. that would require a much larger engine...1.6-1.7 liters unless they up the redline even more. in either event, a larger motor or an nexgen renesis with a small almost lagless turbo would be perfect...combined with a smaller body all around and at least a 200 pound diet. it would still be down a whole bunch of hp on its competitors but would likely be quite a bit cheaper too, and a hell of a lot closer in straight line speed and overall performance than the rx8 is with its current rivals. bring it on. if my 8 goes in the next 6 years or so, this is what i would want to move into...

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

Mazda needs to quick screwing around and release an updated 3 rotor.

Red Devil

270+bhp NA, ~2700lbs curb weight = my money to mazda

DailyDriver2k5

I feel the same way, no it wouldn't be a scorcher like a Z-06, but a light frame/body coupled with a rotary that could produce lets say the base 300HP would be pretty impressive. It would definitely give cars in the 300-400HP range a run for there money. As most cars in that range are heavy pigs tipping the scale of 3500+.

A solid 68HP more than the 8 and lets say the next 7 weighed in a healthy 2800-2950lbs.... GOOD GOD, the next 7 would be a serious contender.

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

well you would think being so near to the future one would hear more about this but everything is it just speculation around the same numbers 300 HP. i wont beleive it till MAZDA says something, but if they stay true to their record a few years after they quit(?) the rx-8 they should have another rotary in production.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

2700lbs or less would be ideal

mike1324a

I am skeptical as well however mazda is very good at keeping things under wraps until its time to let the cat out of the bag.

Raptor2k

Upping the redline won't do anything...the Renesis could redline at 12,000 but it would be pointless because power starts to drop at around 8000 anyway.

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

...i wish i was more aware at the time of the rx-8 design. i went from not knowing about the rx-8 to seeing it for sale. same for the 3rd gen 7 but i was much younger then.

rotary crazy

2,700lbs and 280hp+ my money right there

DailyDriver2k5

I don't think you should be skeptic about this info at all... from last year there has been rumors of a new rotary powered something, then early this year till now rumors have been in our US magazine not to mention a few articles over seas have mentioned about Mazda bringing back a new RX-7.

Whens the last time have you heard anything about a Mazdaspeed 8? Exactly... almost nill press or talk time about the matter. Its dead as far as we know, but this info about a new rotary and a new RX-7 always shows up every 3 months it seem like. Mazda must be cooking something up.....

This reminds me when all of us Z guys were anticipating a new Z coming. In 1999 many Z guys were like , hell no Nissan would never bring the Z car back, rumors followed, little articles popped up here and there in car magazines mentioning the Z car was coming back,late '99 early 2000 low and behold there was a new Z concept, a ugly concept but a concept non the less. By 2001 the Z car was a reality for all.

I think history is going to repeat itself...

Red Devil

Not accurate on many levels.

Red Devil

There you are again, my friend. I don't think anyone is more vocal about this than me, you and Brillo.

Lightweight/rigid is the key. Any car can get power, a great chassis is a much more important issue.

mysql101

i would rather a turbocharged rx7 making 280 than a na rx7 making 280. you lose a lot of torque when na.

velociti

iTrader: (1)

right, naturally. i meant a redesigned 1.3L N/A renesis would likely have to have a higher redline to make more power and still be a competitive motor in the marketplace.

I doubt a 3Rotor engine will make it's way into a modestly price sports car. The fuel economy which is already a major complaint about the renesis would be even worse if you threw in a third rotor. Performance aside, I think they would focus their efforts on dropping a small, relatively lag free and efficient turbo on a more boost-friendly renesis replacement. Provided they do not pull an REW and make the thing an overly complex and undercooled engine, and ensure that the thing is reliable...they would have a hit on their hands. Realistically, I envision a $34k car that has a Shinka-quality interior, turbo 1.3-1.5L making 300hp and 220lb/ft torque. I'd say that they could do a base model without leather, accessories etc, but that would cannibalize rx8 sales. IF there is one. And for 34k, you have a car far lighter than a 330hp Z similarly loaded for about the same price or slightly less. Frankly, I don't see many people particularly yearning for the next generation rx8, much as I love mine. The engine just isn't made for mass-market appeal. People want a new 7, and I think you'll get more new customers with it anyway. Just make sure it is on par or outperforms a Z (c/o of lower weight rather than more power), and is similarly priced. Consumers won't have a choice but to cross-shop it. Hell, if the 7 ostensibly takes the place of the 8, than you could have a 27k stripped RX7 with a N/A engine making 240-250hp that would undercut everything else available by a few thousand and come within a stone's throw of those cars' performace.

Think about it:
Base 7. 245hp, 2700lbs, 0-60 of 5.5, basic interior, $28,000
Mazdaspeed version, R1 equivalent: 305hp, 2800lbs, 0-60 of 4.9, loaded interior, unique aero kit, $35,000

Seems feasible to me, and while I hope I'm wrong, I think the 8 is done. Despite great comparisons and reviews, generally, the market didn't embrace it like Mazda hoped. Invest in a new 7!

mac11

iTrader: (1)

If history gives us any clues I would expect Mazda to shoot more for the CaymenS and disregard the Z car performance wise in whatever comes next.

Icemark

My buddy in Irvine showed me some blurry pictures (camera phone) of an interesting mule last weekend that had a RX-8 trunk/Rear end, somewhat similar to a very tweaked Kabura/MX-3/RX-3 front end and a PRHT MX-5 mid-section. He said it had a normally aspirated 15B in it.

But since these were camera pictures it was hard to say what was real, but he traditional has been very accurate on his info.

dragula53

My Dad's ex-roommate used to know a guy who dated the chick who saw the designer of the next rx-7 in the mall.

He says that there is 100% certainty that the next Rx-7 will have 700 horsepower, NA-rotary.

SHOWOFF

Just looking at the last few Mazdaspeed products to come to market, the MS6 and MS3 came just before the end of the lifecycle of the current model.

The 6 is being redesigned for 2008 and the MS6 came last year. The MS3 is out now with a new design for 2009.

It seems if the 8 follows the same cycle that we'll se an MS variant just before the end of the cycle of the car.

velociti

iTrader: (1)

if you're referring to the FD, that was also priced at $35,000 15 years ago. Whatever is coming would need to be at the same pricing to be competitive with other sport coupes. Also, the Z is not that far afield of a Cayman S. Surely most would choose the Porsche over the Nissan for myriad other reasons, but in terms of pure performance, I don't think anyone would argue that you can spend about half the money you'd be spending on a Cayman and get 90+% of the performance in a Z. So while the engineers might have a Cayman, Z, Elise and others to look at while hopefully designing a future rotary coupe, I highly doubt they're looking to specifically outdo a Cayman which is twice the price. Rather, they would aim to cannibalize sales of their car's direct competitors by outperforming them and costing less to gain market share. If this thing and a new Supra come out...I am going to nut myself. Just throwing it out there.

mysql101

har har har! did you just say the Z is more than 90% of the Cayman? maybe you meant Cayenne.

rotary crazy

your buddy has the firts spy pics of the test mule for the next rotary power car

Post them here!!!!

baseballgenius80

I think Velociti and I were separated at birth. The thought of the possibility of a new supra and 7 coming out, oh boy, I need to close my mouth before I drool all over myself.

rotary crazy

If mazda has any COJONES they will make a kabura with a 15b or 14b depending on output, and give us a great power to weight ratio, plus a redesing rx-8

"Mazda is not going to make two rotary cars at the same time" you say, sure they can, I dont think mazda is going to retire theyr second best selling rotary car, and we know they want to make a pure sport car