Lock & Load

Stephen Odell, Mazda's global sales and marketing manager has said that there is a proposed performance push to upgrade most of the Mazda models. However, the plan to build a new age rotary RX-7 has been shelved.

Mazda wants to build a series of Mazda speed performance models to sit at the top of each model range. Mazda3 is being given a V6 engine to create a prototype hot hatch. Also there will be a Mazda speed version of the Mazda2 and 6.

Even the sporty 4 seat Mazda RX-8 could come in for a tune-up.
Odell says, "Mazda engineers are working more hours than they deserve to deliver the stuff that we have in the cycle plan and in the end you have to prioritise what you are going to do. While the RX-7 became a wonderful car for us around the world, ultimately it became very difficult to sustain. It is not an option in the short term, but is something we would look at in the medium term. The rush of new products has delayed the next RX-7".

Odell admits "that a 2-seater version of the RX-8 or something similar could be introduced to keep the model fresh later in its life. Mazda will concentrate on building models that are variations of the current cars".

"Crossover versions of the 2, 3 and 6 are all being considered although Odell will not comment on exact models or dates and they are expected to run an all-wheel-drive system."

The above is from James Stanford's article in the Gold Coast Bulletin (daily newspaper) today.

NAVILESRX8

iTrader: (1)

I love all the RX7's....but they should just give up on bringing back the RX7 and just go ahead like they always intended and continue the RX line...so the next 2 seat rotary should be RX9. Every attempt to call the next 2 seat rotary RX7 will be met by bitching and whining about how the FD was soooo much better...plus it'll keep the mystique that these FD owners are so worried about.

Before the RX8 came out, and after the FD imports stopped, I craved for any rotary powered sports car...didn't care what it was called....

KCROTOR

Hey, found this on another web site...

"Well, the fact that the informants within MAZDA have become very tight lipped about the RX-3 is good news!! It means it is going ahead with serious development. The bad news is it is going to be really tough getting new information out of them until it is shown at an autoshow.

Since there is no Tokyo Autoshow this year (Oct 2005 is the next one) the next big show that this could be shown at is the next NAIAS in Detriot , January 2005. If it doesn't make that show, then it will debut at Tokyo in Oct of 2005.

Other bad news is with the RX-3 in development, there is no one left to work on the RX-7. So that is shelved... probably won't show up again, even as a concept until TOKYO Autoshow 2007!!"

Anyone know anything more about the RX-3 and what kind of car it would be?

chinx

RX-3??? that's kinda weird. is this gonna be like a 2-door rotary coupe? where did you hear this from?

but i think high performance variants of the mazda3 would be real cool. it'd also be awesome to see mazda return to wrc, but i'm sure that's not gonna happen, even though the 3 would make a real sweet rally car. that the rx-7 isn't coming back shortly is disappointing. but it makes marketing sense. once the next skyline gt-r is out, and perhaps even a new supra, then maybe mazda would be more inclined to revive the 7

SRT-4 Owner

Man, this news is hitting me hard, yet at the same time it makes me glad to hear that Mazda will expand their MAZDASPEED division for other vehicles.

Still, I really wanted to see an RX-7 soon, and since that won't be happening, I guess I'm going to have to go ahead and buy the 8 since I'm not going to wait a couple of years for something that is just a rumor.

rx-7~rx-8

Mazda is SMART... there profit is mainly mazda 3 and mazda 6... NOT THE RX-8... they would rather produce better variants of the 6 & 3.. then consider the RX-8...

20% of sales are rx-8.. so mazda gave what we wanted... FOR NOW.. 2-door version will come later.. after they produce more variants of there higer volume sale cars...

SUPRA is NOT... NOT COMMING 100%... TOYOTA SAID IT...
GT-R iS.. IS.. 100% comming.. NISSAN SAID IT.. 100%...

PLEASE DONT CREATE ANOTHER RX-7... make it RX-9 or something... cause RX-7 is a legend... leave it like that...

As long as mazda makes a rotary powered car.. its all GOOD.... rx-8 is badass enough ... it would be cool to have 2-door... but its all good...

mental pimp

Yeah, i see the RX-7 as a legend too and i cant see any other car that is better looking that will replace it, but Mazda has to Bring back their Flagship car = The MIllenia!

murix

The Millenia was actually an entry level for car for a defunct idea to create a luxury brand in the US and not a Mazda flagship car. That has always been the rotary in various iterations.

The GT-R is slated for 2007.

Indeed the RX-8 is a low volume car and I would be suprised myself if Mazda came out with anything new before the next model year, if even that.

rx-7~rx-8

I just can't wait for the MazdaSpeed Mazda 3...

V6...Possible Turbo... All-Wheel-Drive... OH BOY... its gonne smoke the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Evolution...

220-250 HP
2700 LBS
AWD...
- then people can stop comparing the impreza (wrx & sti )... mitsu evo to the RX-8..

mental pimp

I know that but, im pretty sure that Mazda considered it as their Flagship car, it competed wit BMW,Lexus, and Infiniti.

CERAMICSEAL

Pimp,
I finally get to agree with you. In the U.S. market the Millenia was considered to be the flagship. The 8 now holds that designation.

mental pimp

:D Yay! good to see someone that agrees wit me!

CERAMICSEAL

My pleasure pimp. I guess Christians and Muslims can agree from time to time. Much love youthman.
Back on topic; a lot of people are patiently awaiting another RX-7.

rx-7~rx-8

Mazda made a good move by taking the milli out...since they were developing new cars such as 6,3,RX-8. Mazda Millenia would have to have needed enchancement to the whole car(redign, power, chassis.. etc) inorder to compete with AVALON... TL... MAXIMA... and mazda sales were like crap on the millenia since it was out dated...which would require alot of time which mazda doesn't have since there creating rx-8,6, 3. Later down the road when they have all there cars up to date... and competeive they will build a "MAZDA 9"... as some rumors were floating around... and as for the RX-7... there's still hope.. and mazda knows what we want more rotaries... and power oriented vehicles.. which are under development right now...

KCROTOR

Don't be confused here, I am not talking about the Mazda 3, I am talking about a new RX-3 (rotary powered). Some sources are convinced it is coming. Of course I would welcome any additional rotary powered vehicles. Any ideas on where this car would fit in the Mazda lineup? What cars might this compete with?

mental pimp

Excuse me but who said that the Millenia sold bad? In south florida, their all over the place, maybe ur talking about the 01-02 models which yes sold poorly but overall this car sold well.

rx-7~rx-8

It sold... true... but not as well as Mitsubishi Diamante... Nissan Maxima... Toyota Avalon... FACt: it was a nice car.. but sales were dropping every year... and if they continued... it would continue to drop... and mazda wanted it to INCREASE... in order to do so... they would have to improve the car... time and money... which they didn't have... for that car...

mental pimp

ahhh yes, but we all know that those 3 cars that you listed are not better cars than the milly. I hope we see a comeback from such a great car *tear*

rx-7~rx-8

True... Milli is really nice.. i never driven one... but i sat in one... man the fit and finish on the car is awesome... also it looks the Best out of Maxima, Avalon, and Diamante.

babylou

There are persistant rumors of a rotary Miata. Of course these rumors are squelched quickly. The thing that gets me is the rumors are very persistant. I think Mazda either does a new RX-7 or has a piston engined volume Miata and hi-po Miata with the rotary. I'll take either one.

Maybe the RX-3 would be based on the new Miata chassis or would it be FWD? But then the RX-8 chassis would be under utilized.

Sheesh, I need a good inside source. Of course, most of this stuff is coming so close to fruition that if a mole did tell us something it would probably be to keep us in the dark.

NAVILESRX8

iTrader: (1)

A FWD Rotary? Why...that's the most retarded thing I've heard...

I guess I'm in the minority...I can care less of any of the other non-rotary powered Mazda models...I love their rotary powered cars. That's it.

I do wish that the other models sell well, so Mazda has more funds to keep the rotary going.....

Superfan

****! I guess I'll be keeping the RX-8 for quite some time. The only reason I sold my FD and bought an RX-8 was in hopes I could own a new RX-7 in a few years. I've been missing the FD a lot lately and now I kind of regret buying the 8 if they aren’t going to bring the 7 back.

CERAMICSEAL

From my understanding of it the next Miata is going to be based on the 8 platform (I could be wrong).
The other opinion I hold is that an RX-7 is being delayed by financial and other constraints; not the least of which is the shortage of expert engine builders at the plant in Japan. These folks supposedly number less than 10 and are currently building approx. 60,000 units a year.
Everyone keep supporting and keep your fingers crossed.

rx-7~rx-8

RX-7.. the earliest it could come out is 2007... no earlier. Since there is the concept, then the prototype, then the production. Trust me mazda isn't going to rush anything, they will take there time on every car they build, so they can get it right. So the truth hurts, but all of us rx-7 fans will have to wait 3-4 years til a new rx-7 replacement or 2-door rotary rocket to come.

T-von

The main problem I see is the lack of engine production. Mazda has never had to produce rotary engines in this volume before. It shows! Look at how some the these engine have failed in the Rx8. I think it was mostly caused by the engine builders being rushed to meet demand. Coolant seal failers, oil leaks ect. Mazda had better do something about the shortage of builders and open up an additional plant if they ever plan on building another rotary powered vehicle.