ASH8

"But Mazda said two distinct sportscar lines – a rotary powered coupe and the MX-5 – would continue."

“I am not going to answer that specific question about (a possible) RX-7, Mr Wakayama said.

“But it would probably very difficult for a company of our scale and size to have the product line-up of an MX-5 and RX-8 and an RX-7 on top of that.

“We will only have two sportscars.”

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257703001D8674

ASH8

No Mazda CX-5 or Mazda 1 for Now..

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...87#post3523887

robrecht

Don't give it any credance, but the Mazda rep I spoke with at the NY Autoshow last week said the 16x is sitting on a shelf, ready to go, as soon as the economy picks up. 2-seater coupe only makes sense. But higher volume? That's why they went with the 4-seater RX-8, right?

ASH8

Don't give What any Credence??

I give the word of Mazda's Japanese Global Marketing/Customer Boss more credence than some bloke on a stand at the NY Auto Show.

I happen to agree with the Mazda Marketing boss that there will be Only ONE Rotary and the MX-5, that is the two sports cars.

GoAuto is a local well respected industry news source here...they do not print BS.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I would like to think that this is the case. However, autoshow people haven't had the best track record for having the correct information. Many auto manufactures have shied away from 2 seater cars due to their limited desirability. I had it in my mind that the decision to go to a 4 door RX8 was partly influenced by Ford.

robrecht

Relax. I said not to give any credance to what the Mazda rep at the NY autoshow said. But there was no real contrast between what he said and your link, anyway, so no need to create some false contrast.

robrecht

Yes, it was classic Mustang all over again, only it didn't work out so well this time. The only autoshow people I trust are the models who admit they don't have a clue where the dipstick is.

ASH8

Mate, I am very relaxed.

I suggest you look at your post and how you "comprehend" the issue.

robrecht

What is it you think I don't comprehend???

ZumnRx8

I'll show her where the dipstick is

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for this hopeful report in light of the reported end of RX-8 production.

zoom44

ther was no report of rx-8 production ending- there was confirmed reports that SALES in EUROPE would end. US sales and Japanese sales and other markets CONTINUE so production continues.

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

also note - “We have that essence of ‘Zoom-Zoom’ and the rotary engine really embodies that essence … and therefore we are going to continue development and make improvements to the petrol rotary engine,” he said."

"PETROL rotary engine" There has been some stuff about a hydrogen powered rotary as the only rotary.....but aside from not really making sense in 2010, this is good evidence that the gasoline powered 16x at least somewhat like what we've heard about in the past is definitely the idea that will come out (though it might be a few years....)

Spin9k

Great find ASH8!

...seems the only truly good news offered here. And this is esp. significant as most often (and in this case also) Mazda's public comment about the rotary's future is the “The rotary engine is symbolic for Mazda technology" type of lip service.

Beyond that trying to read the 'tea leaves' of Mazda's comments is always a challenge, but less good news seems to be here...

..sounds like doublespeak for no SKY-G direct injection gasoline engine's 15% fuel economy improvement, and no SKY-Drive auto tranny 5% fuel economy improvement, at least right away, since the rotary is not what the majority of customers buy. Too bad.

The other 'elephant in the room' I notice is the conspicuious lack of any timeframes for any of these ideas relative to the rotary engine/car to be deployed, seemingly saying they simply don't know how long the rotary car renewing will take. Same old same old I guess.

REsuperD

very heartening to hear that they'll continue the miata + rotary two-line sports car approach. it makes total sense and i wouldn't have it any other way myself. sounds like he's testing waters and/or also prepping the media for the appearance of a two-door rotary sports car replacing the rx-8. i can't wait

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

fixed

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Now reading all these 16x news makes me think that the time flows really fast ...

the 13B-MSP is on its 7th Birthday already ...

I guess when it reaches 10 (3 years later) they will just end it and release the new Renesis-2 (16x)

I think the 16X is probably up and running already, they keep it quiet cuz there is no reason to let your competitor know what you are doing + this shitty economy ... release a sports car right now means suicide.

so in the mean time, they are working hard to see if there are any headroom for improvement.

Gimme 300 hp. maybe 200 tq or more. Im more than happy to buy one. right away.

CyberPitz

I'm with ya there.

velociti

iTrader: (1)

except there's no way you're getting that kind of power out of a n/a 1.6. i'm hoping for 275hp/185 lb/ft. i'd definitely take more though!

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

I wanna know what you guys are smoking.

The current generation rotary is, essentially, a dinosaur by modern production and emissions standards.
The "new" 16x is just a bloated version of the same.

The global economy and the North American standards for automotive purchases make any continuation of rotary-powered vehicles (sportscar or otherwise) absolutely untenable.

Its finished and it really should be finished.

Just be thankful that Mazda even built a chassis like the RX-8 possesses. There is no market for such things and hasn't been since the 80's.

CyberPitz

Quit peeing in my Cheerios

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

haha yeah.... especially b/c, as curious as it might be, all indications are that mazda is planning to release a 16x-based car within the next few years. If they were gonna call it quits on the rotary, this new chatter would have stopped a year ago.

05rx8mazda

iTrader: (4)

** flashbacks**
Uncle: "Boy there is no such thing as santa clause, it is someting made up"

Me : "Wha. whaa. what ?"
At the age of 8

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

The only "chatter" is all the yokels out here in the peanut gallery.

Mazda has always had a "back room" where stuff brewed. But the samurai are almost all gone and the current corporate philosophy at Mazda - the very thing that made them profitable for the first time in a long time and ultimately independent from Ford - is gonna keep them on the straight and narrow.

Things like the 16x are, obviously, completely at odds with the current automotive climate and the desired outputs (especially in the eyes of the fans) are, largely, at odds with the laws of physics.

We live in the world of the ULEV, 300+ HP, 28 MPG, sub-$35k, low-maintenance sportscar.
There will never be such an animal with a rotary motor for a heart and Mazda knows from previous experience that a $40k+ two-seater with 30% less power and fuel economy than its competition is suicide.

With cars like the BMW 335i and the G37 lurking out there, Mazda needs to stick with thrifty, fun and cheap cars like the 3 and 5 to keep its head above water. (Just like Nissan and Toyota stay out of the roadster market - its too small for more than one manufacturer to make a profit and Mazda already has it tied up.)