brillo

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=141987

take it for what its worth, I hope they are right, but I'm sadly not as optimistic given the current economic and political climate.

the next RX is going have to do better than 20mpg in the city to have a shot production. Here is hoping the new engine combined with a light weight body can get economy in the 23-24mpg / city 29-31 hwy range.

I love the idea of the dual clutch tranny, solves alot of problems and is cheaper as its one size fits all.

Ajax

If any of this is true, it's awesome.
Lighter with more power and better fuel economy would all be welcome sights for this car.

REsuperD

i think peter lyon is a pretty credible non-japanese auto journalist residing in japan. however, much of this smells like something out of best car or whatever those japanese car magazines are called (car x?) the transmission sounds a bit gadgety; i'd prefer a plain 6mt. i do hope at least some of this comes to fruition. we'll see what happens w/ this...

lilring

iTrader: (11)

If all this is true and acutally happens, It will be amzaing. I will buy it for sure

AJ's Shinka

it will happen.

Spin9k

It can"t happen soon enough. The competition is out there, and getting better every day.
If it's true, it could be a poor man's Porsche Cayman fighter, and put Mazda back on the sports car map...... If not R.I.P. rotary engine cars.

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

2600 lbs + 270hp = very nice. Too bad they can not get it to 300hp though.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I really hope that stuff comes true. 270 hp seems a bit low given what our competitors are doing BUT if they do reduce the weight, we could have one hell of a car on our hands.

alienRX8

Well if this happens its funny how they say nothing about the rx9 and what engine or layout it will have.

If they make it a twin clutch I wont buy it though, give me a regular 6spd manual and call it a day.

zoom44

Bout time this leaks out. he tells you right in the article who is giving him the info. the supplier of the Tranny.

Spin9k

OK...spill the rest of it...waada you know chief?

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

zoom44, you saying there is some or lots of truth to this

Spin9k

....I like the part where they say, "...upwards of 270 HP". Wonder how far up^ is?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

271

PSTNLSS

iTrader: (3)

Tehehehehe I may stay in the rotary family now if this car comes out and gives good power and fuel economy<333

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

I would both love and hate to be in zoom's position... I'd love to know all that stuff, but in order to have the chance to know all that means he cant tell anyone till everyone already knows. And I would suck at that.

The car sounds interesting... when it says you can set revs at which the clutch engages... I assume they mean for launch purposes, right?

ShinkaTeen

u know.


with toyota basically chucking the supra

and honda killing the nsx and the s2000.


my heart pounds with pride that mazda still doesnt give up.

robrecht

Of course it's true. It's what all the true rotarheads have been hoping for all along. Except for the transmission part, a new lightweight RX-7 is the only obvious way forward. The 8 as the only rotary was never a good strategy, nor was it Mazda's original plan. It's like Protestantism and Reform Judaism without the pope and the hassidim.

ShinkaEvo

iTrader: (3)

For some reason, I have a feeling that the Mazda is heading the direction of making Rx-8/9 into a family/sports sedan (like Mazda6?), and Rx-7 as pure sports car. Because I don't see the point of having 2 rotary sports car at the same time. (Or maybe release them at different time) Owel, just a guess.

chancejat

iTrader: (2)

wait so how much hp did they say the rx8 would have before it was produced? 250hp, but really 232 so rx7 is sussposed to have 270 or ~248? lol well see

robrecht

250 -> 238 (232 is another method of measurement, not really less hp)

I have a sneaking suspicion that 270 could be underestimating a little, if Mazda has finally learned their lesson (see my sig).

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

keeping my 8 until this comes out! then all bets are off!! lol

PotatoSoup

First, I'll believe this when I see it in dealerships, which would probably be 3 years from now at the absolute earliest.

Second, talk of a twin-clutch manumatic worries me. The only reason to go that route is in order to make it the ONLY tranny in order to get fuel efficieny up. I know that twin-clutch provides better performance, yadda yadda, but I would never buy a sports car without a proper manual.

Third, these supposed RX-7/RX-9 will have their own fair share of issues, especially with an all-new rotary and twin-clutch transmission. Look at the RX-8, they're still making some substantial improvements after 5 years of production. I certainly wouldn't be one of the first people in line for an all-new sports car (but that goes for any make/model).

Finally, what's the point? The RX-8 is "old" and still is regarded as one of the world's best driving cars even when put up against much newer and more "advanced" cars. I don't think either of these are going to be a quantum leap over the RX-8. They might go faster in a straight line, but the RX-8 is already about perfect in the twisties. A 2600lb. RX-7 would obviously be a two-seater in the same size class as the S2000 or MX-5...in which case I would rather have an S2000 or MX-5.

The ONLY cool thing I would hold out hope for is an RX-7 convertible. Other than that, my next car is going to be an MX-5 or RX-8. Not waiting around for these imaginary 16X cars.

kvndoom

Lack of a manual will drive the nails in the coffin. FFS Mazda don't alienate your faithful.

arlingtonrx8

Seems like all sports cars are heading towards a double clutch transmission... Maybe that detail will be wrong and the rest is correct.